Art Major gelding Le Major confirmed he's a serious contender for the upcoming 2 year old spoils in Christchurch over the next few months when he won the second Northern Sires Stakes heat at Alexandra Park on Friday.
The ease of his win suggests Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly has a nice up-and-comer on her hands. A closing 800 cut out in 55.4 with the removal deafeners still intact, would lead you to think there's still a bit more under the bonnet.
The $28,000 outlaid at the National Standardbred Yearling Sale in Christchurch in 2022, now looks like cheap money. "I actually purchased him after the conclusion of the sale," said Donnelly. "Across both Auckland and Christchurch I had filled my quota, but I kept going back to him. It's fair to say I had a bit of a punt and it paid off."
Le Major is owned by a large group of owners which includes 2 big syndicates as well as a host of individuals.
The Daydream Believers Syndicate which was set up a few years earlier by Susan Branch, comprises 20 members. "Susan did an outstanding job pulling so many people together, most of whom are closely connected to the Thoroughbred world." The Syndicate includes local Cambridge trainers Margaret Falconer, Margaret's partner Ritchie Whitworth, Russell and Robyn Rogers, Sam Logan and former ace jumps jockey Tommy Hazlett just to name a few.
Also in the ownership is the Green Machine Racing Syndicate headed up by Steve McCormick from Christchurch. "Our stable has had a very good association with Steve and 23 of his mates since we purchased a trotter off them a number of years ago. Green Machine Racing Syndicate stayed in the ownership and have taken shares in a number of horses since. They also share in the ownership of Bad Medicine so it's been a good couple of weeks for them."
Others in the ownership are also closely connected to the stable and include Mary Walker (Arna's mother and weekend volunteer), Ayumi Shibuya (stable employee), Janice Good (mother of another weekend volunteer Rob Good), David Branch (CEO of Cambridge Raceway), Rae Inglis (mother of Tony Shaw) and stable clients Greg Sweeney and Brian and Heather Hedger.
"At the moment we're all riding the crest of a wave and plenty of people are having a lot of fun so let's hope that continues," said Donnelly.
