Sunday’s Gathering with GAI in every capacity was a HUGE SUCCESS

On behalf of the Dynamic Syndications Team, we extend a heartfelt appreciation and “Thank You” to the vast number of guests that braved the blustery southerly winds which were ripping through Sydney on Sunday, bringing with it short but sharp, scud showers.

As uncomfortable as the weather attempted to be in heralding the first signs of autumn, the show went ahead and our “Gathering with Gai” was rated in every measurable capacity, a “HUGE SUCCESS.”

A last minute venue alteration worked superbly for our guests, as we relocated from the grassy centre of the Theatre of the Horse, to the far more comfortable sheltered area beneath the Owner’s Pavilion, overlooking the Theatre.



As guests began arriving, they were met by a team of delightful young ladies, who assisted our guests with registering and issuing of name tags and lucky door entry tickets.


As guests progressed through the entry portal, each were greeted and welcomed by Dean and Fiona Watt, whilst the attentive Australian Turf Club wait staff were on hand with an array of welcoming drinks.

The area filled quickly whilst the tastebuds were also teased by the aroma of a magnificent lunch filling the air.

At 12:55 it was entertainment time.


Rachel Watt began proceedings with an introduction and welcome before inviting our Master of Ceremonies – Dean Pettit to the platform. A quick banter between the pair was well received by the building crowd, as lunch was being served.



Then our first guest of honour, Group 1 winning jockey Tim Clark was interviewed over the next 10 minutes. It was riveting to listen to Tim Clark and Dean Pettit chat about the racing game from a jockey’s perspective, what it’s like to achieve Group 1 success, on being part of the Dynamic Syndications Team and riding for Champion Trainer Gai.

 



At 1:15pm the Lady we had all been wanting to see, arrived and took centre stage. It was an amazing and spellbinding 20 minutes for the up-close, intimate audience hanging on every word that “Australia’s Living Treasure” uttered.

The crowd was in rapture’s of laughter throughout, as this interview was deserving of a centre stage performance at a glamorous show on Broadway.


We heard Gai discuss her four Golden Slipper runners, what it’s like to be a part of her Gai Waterhouse racing stables, the excitement of her new arrangement with Dynamic Syndications, the importance of family businesses in the racing industry and Gai’s anticipation of success for the magnificent crop of yearlings we have purchased. The interview had particular emphasis on the progression of these yearlings through to take their place in Gai’s system on their road to the 2016 Magic Millions / Blue Diamond / Golden Slipper.

In the middle of the interview, Gai was asked about the client involvement with her stables every Sunday morning at Tulloch Lodge where owners have the opportunity to meet new owners and catch up with fellow owners and enjoy the uniqueness, effervescence and intimate association of Gai. In a flash Gai quipped “on this it’s better to hear from an owner” and walked down and brought to the platform devoted owner Ken Edmunds, who delivered an off the cuff, sincere appreciation of what it’s like to be involved as an owner with Gai.

Whilst the interviews were being conducted, the ultra-professional ATC wait staff seamlessly ensured hundreds of guests were “well fed and watered.”

 

Next it was “SHOW TIME” as the first seven (7) of the yearlings we have purchased with Gai in 2015 were paraded. These seven were chosen because they have completed being broken-in and early training.



Gai’s Team worked like clockwork as the horses were paraded to the large crowd.


Despite massive winds blowing through the Theatre, these young horses handled the occasion calmly as Gai explained to our guests, what she liked about each individual. Added to the colour of the occasion, we heard from Gai’s breaker Ryan Pendergast who explained his roll and what each individual yearling showed him under saddle from the first day the saddle was placed on their back.




We were also fortunate that we had several breeders of these yearlings in attendance and with typical Gai enthusiasm, she introduced these men to the crowd and interviewed them as she explained the importance of good bone and muscle, which starts from the foundation the breeders offer, during the formative stages of a horse’s early life.


Shares were being snapped up whilst the horses were being paraded and our Dynamic Team were scurrying around trying to keep up with the immediate demand for shares as our guests appreciated what they were seeing and hearing from a committed team of dedicated horsemen and women.

After the drawing of the Luck Door prizes we invited guests to the tie-up stalls where each yearling was standing to attention in the care of immaculately dressed representatives of Gai’s stables.






Despite the blustery conditions, these professional young men and women lovingly doted on their allotted yearling and proudly arranged personal display’s to the large number of guests who had come down from the Theatre of the Horse for a more intimate viewing.

Acknowledgments:

We wish to acknowledge the following:

The Australian Turf Club – Their catering team headed by Lynell Peck was first class. Our dealings with Jodie (prior to the event) and Jamal (on the day) was sensational and Adrian, Head Chef for our event created wonderful fare.

Working in with the ATC executive team lead by Darren Pearce, in all facets is easy, professional and his team at the ATC are wonderful servants of our racing industry and deserve full recognition.

We thank ATC Chairman Michael Crismale, his lovely wife Gail and fellow ATC Director Julia Ritchie for their attendance and support of our day.

We thank Tony Hall, Roy Davis and Hinnerk Huppe from, Oakridge Spelling Farm and Wild Oaks Pre-Training Farm, where we send our horses to spell. We acknowledge and thank them for their attendance and their availability to owners to discuss their horse’s.

We acknowledge and thank Reverend Colin Watts the Chaplain for our Racing Industry, who greeted our guests and explained his important role within our beloved sport.

We also thank for attending, television racing personality Richard Haynes and sharing his afternoon with us.

We thank Henry Field – Stud Master of Newgate Farm Scone, for his attendance and addressing the crowd. Henry’s stud farm operation stands exciting first crop sire FOXWEDGE and he was so impressed with our Foxwedge Filly, he purchased a share as well.

Special mention is afforded to Bruce Slade and Natasha Kent. Bruce and Natasha were long time employees of Gai and last year, syndicated horses for Gai under the Round Table banner.

Bruce had a career change in December when he joined Henry at Newgate Farm to work with the sale and marketing of Stallion shares and nominations and yearling sale representation. Bruce and Natasha remain extremely loyal to Gai and it was terrific to have the young couple attend our function. Bruce was handed the microphone at one stage to chat about the Foxwedge filly. The couple drove 4 hours from Scone to be with us and we thank them for their support and encouragement.


Special thanks goes to Adrian Bott - Gai’s racing manger. Adrian is our “go to man” whenever we have a question. Adrian, ably assisted by Emma Pearce and also Gai’s personal assistant Sarah Edwards “make it happen.” Every empire needs the best people in the right positions and Gai has hand-picked a vibrant young team of ultra-professional “can do” people. They were an incredible source of help in the lead-up to our open day and again during the function. We can’t begin to thank them enough.

The military precision of Gai’s horse men and women was amazing and when we see the attention to detail and the pride in their work, it’s mesmerising for owners to watch and enjoy. Gai provided ten staff on the day, to care for these seven horses ensuring everything went like clockwork which considering the howling wind, was a masterclass to behold. Special acknowledgement to Ryan Pendergast who gave his time to explain to the crowd how each yearling broke-in for him.

We thank our quartet of young reception ladies: Danni, Bronte, Claudia and Emma-Jane for their welcoming smiles and assistance to all our guests during the function.

We thank John Kasbarian who bred our I Am Invincible filly for his attendance and chat to the crowd about what it’s like as a boutique breeder, to have bred a yearling that finds its way into the care of Gai.

We thank Richard Logan - Logan Livestock Insurance for attending and speaking with many owners about how insurance is wise in the thoroughbred industry.

We thank Amanda Wood and Adam Stewart, who worked the room with camera and video to capture the occasion to relive and enjoy.

SPECIAL MENTION:

To the incredible number of Owners we now welcome to the Dynamic / Gai team. The blend of existing and new owners is exciting and we look forward to many happy trips to the winner’s circle together. 


TV and Racing personality Dean Pettit for his wonderful job as Master of Ceremonies.

Group 1 Winning Jockey Tim Clark

All Dynamic Owners who attended – especially our owners from: WA, TAS, VIC, ACT and QLD who made the effort to fly into Sydney for the function. Your loyalty and commitment was inspiring.

A BIG THANKS goes to GAI - our Guest of Honour, Hall Of Fame Champion Trainer, Australian Living Treasure and Australia’s First Lady of Racing for the wonderful warmth and enthusiasm she showed her owners and guests. Racing horse’s with this Special Lady is awesome.

Finally I thank the Dynamic Team: Fiona, Adam, Peter, Jack and Rachel who worked very hard behind the scenes and made this day into such a seamless, outstanding success, for our business and most importantly, our owners.