First-time owners dreaming of Group 1 Eagle Farm upset

By Jordan Gerrans

Brisbane’s Anthony Steinmetz feels like he has won the Lotto.

While the retired lawyer is happy to concede it is not the massive $40 million Lotto that some dream about, it still gives him the same emotion.

Steinmetz is one of 10 Queensland-based owners who are pinching themselves that they will have a starter in a Group 1 race this Saturday afternoon at Eagle Farm.

The contingent of Sunshine State residents are enjoying a stunning ride with colt King Colorado who will take his place in Saturday’s J.J. Atkins after just two career starts for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace team. 

The grinning owners are a part of the newly launched Stable of Stars concept, which leases gallopers and finds new owners, many of which are getting into a horse for the first time.

Stable of Stars was formed to give everyday people who usually couldn’t afford to be an owner, the chance to experience the thrill of being along for the journey.

There are 47 separate owners in the son of Great Britain stallion Kingman, with the majority getting their first taste of the racing industry.

“For me, I could not afford to pay $20,000 for a share in a horse, or did not think it was a wise use of my money,” Steinmetz says.

“I thought this was an interesting way of doing it – instead of owning them, taking a lease – and you have the ongoing monthly fees, but the way it is structured, it is something I could afford.

“The horse quality that the people from Stable of Stars were talking about were pretty good, so I got involved.”

Stable of Stars was unveiled just 12 months ago with King Colorado the first galloper from the concept that has made it to the races.

“It is a fairy tale-type story,” Stable of Stars founder Grant Williams said.

Steinmetz’s father and brother have owned race horses in years gone by and he has long wondered about getting involved.

“I had always fancied owning one before now and for many years for a second job, I worked for a bookmaker in Sydney on the rails,” he said.

“That was back in the day when there was no computers. I have always had an interest in racing.”

The bay colt ran into fourth on debut at Kembla Grange in late April before breaking his maiden status at the same venue almost a month later.

Those two starts were enough for the youngster to sneak into the show-piece two-year-old race of the Brisbane winter. 

There were some nervous moments for the new-to-racing connections over the last week as they were concerned they would not make the final field.

But, their colt has done enough and he will be one of 17 to face the starter on Saturday, jumping from barrier three with top hoop Jason Collett in the seat.

“That was a real buzz just watching on TV,” Steinmetz said of the colt’s first win.

“Here we are a week and a half later and we are going into a Group 1.

“It is an amazing ride in a short period of time and we will go out there on Saturday with my wife and son, there for the fun and the thrill of it. I think the horse will acquit himself very well.”

The Maher and Eustace stable will welcome King Colorado’s many owners to their Brisbane stables for the carnival on Friday for a meet and greet ahead of Saturday’s race.

“It’s a bit of a fairytale story for some of these owners, who’ve always wanted to be involved, but thought they’d never be able to afford it,” fellow part-owner Christian Jantzen said.

“It’s basically opening up the feeling of ownership to a whole new demographic of racing lovers.”

Steinmetz has been impressed with how involved the Stable of Stars owners are in the process, regularly receiving track work vision and updates from Maher and Eustace, as well as their staff.

“It is like buying a ticket in the lottery when you buy a horse – not everyone wins the lottery,” he says.

“I thought this gave me a much better chance of having a bit of fun.

“I might not have much of a percentage in ownership but I have a share in this thing and I am along for the ride.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, King Colorado is rated as a $26 chance with the TAB as Chris Waller’s Tannhauser is the $5 favourite.

More information about Stable of Stars can be found here.