There is no better place to be than the beautiful Gold Coast in January. Each day the excitement has been building with social events and media interviews asking about Danny's first runner in the big race. After a week of inspecting yearlings, from the 926 catalogued, we appreciate even more how incredibly lucky we are to have a runner in the Magic Millions 2YO classic.
This time last year Steve Gillard and his lovely wife Louise decided that they would each purchase a yearling. Steve took the handsome big grey colt by Redoubte's Choice out of Fabulous Cat. A stunning individual the big grey is going to take time but could easily be a star of the future. Louise chose the speedy looking bay filly which she aptly named Oakleigh Girl as a homage to the success of both her dam and sire in the Oakleigh Plate.
What a ride Louise has had with her very first racehorse. At her first start Oakleigh Girl achieved black type status by winning the Group 3 Channel 7 Stakes down the straight at Flemington. To say that winning the first race on Melbourne Cup Day was a huge thrill with her first horse would be an understatement. The speedy bay filly has bought so much joy and excitement to the Gillard girls (Louise and teenage daughters Grace and Sophie) that horse racing is now something that the whole family can enjoy together.
On Tuesday morning the family and close friends where all together for the barrier draw on the Surfers Paradise beach. Louise was buzzing with a mix a nerves and excitement as she waited for her turn to select a barrier. It was a lucky dip and the relief when she picked up number 6 was enormous.
Naturally, Oakleigh Girl has no idea that so much fuss is going on and that rest of us are so excited about the big day ahead. Danny's son James slept at the stables last night and we laughed this morning when we received a snap chat of the filly sleeping with the caption "Big girl down".
Danny has been back and forth to the stables a few times to check on things and he couldn't be happier with our dedicated staff and support team who have really stepped up to make it possible for him to be down here selecting new horses for the stable.
So far we have purchased five yearlings, a smart looking well grown colt by Magic Albert out of Red Centre who has only produced winning foals, a classic looking Casino Prince filly out of Group 1 winner Serious Speed, a speedy looking filly by Snitzel out of stakes placed Dance Girl Dance, a big strong Casino Prince filly out of Group 1 winner Devil Moon and an Encosta De Lago filly out of a Redoute's Choice daughter of Golden Slipper winner Polar Success.
No matter what the result today it has been enormous fun and we have all enjoyed the build up with our lovely speedy filly.
Happy Days
Marybeth