A share in Grand National Steeplechase winner Currency was given away yesterday.
The 22 1/2 per cent share was gifted by horsewoman Jacqui Fleming to her sisters Dahna, of Cambridge, and Hilary who works for the Lee Freedman stable in Melbourne.
Fleming gave up her share because she will resume her career as an apprentice jockey at the end of the month. Apprentices are not allowed to race horses.
The signing over took place yesterday after the family had gathered for a brother's 21st birthday party in Rotorua on Saturday night.
Jacqui Fleming has only three months of her apprenticeship to complete but said if all went well she would extend it by a year to further her opportunities.
"Hopefully I will be riding all those winners," Fleming said.
The 28-year-old old, who will join Matamata trainer Roger James' stable, began her apprenticeship 13 years ago when attached to her father Ray's stable in Rotorua.
That stint only lasted about a year but she gave it another go a few years later when joining up with the Waverley stable of Kevin Gray. In total Fleming has ridden 58 winners and she last rode 4-1/2 years ago.
Fleming said it was a thrill watching Currency win but was hopeful greater thrills were to come in her return to riding.
"I think it's more exciting watching him than riding - but I hope to change all that," she said.
Fleming had owned Currency in partnership with her brother Michael, of Hastings, Ruth Barclay from Waipukurau and retired Auckland lawyer Jim Benson.
They bought Currency for a mere $1600 at an auction three years ago. The horse had been previously been trained in Auckland by Nigel Tiley but was put up for sale when the trainer decided to move to Macau.
Fleming was the instigator in the horse's purchase. She had worked for Tiley when the horse was in his stable and felt a future on the racetrack remained.
Currency was sent south to the North Canterbury stable of John and Karen Parsons and won a couple of races, Fleming said.
He was then transferred to the Wanganui stable of Kevin Myers when a jumping career was considered for him and connections have since not looked back.
Currency began his jumping career 14 months ago. He is unbeaten in two starts as a hurdler and the win took his record over the bigger fences to five wins from eight starts.
Currency's immediate future could involve a trip to Italy. Myers said a $300,000 hurdle race and a $600,000 steeplechase are run there next month.
"We'll know within the next week," Myers said.
"I'm probably only dreaming but I'll have to look at it."
Myers went to Italy last year and said he had a record of six wins from nine starts.
Currency was sent out a warm favourite at a $2.40 dividend and gave his army of supporters little cause for concern.
Rider Rochelle Lockett had Currency trailing the leader, and stablemate Our Jonty in the early stages and let the Markella nine-year-old gelding stride to the front with as much 2200m to run in the 5600m event.
The pressure went on when Currency edged a couple lengths clear of Our Jonty with about 800m to run and from that point on it seemed only a fall would deny him victory.
Currency went on to score by four lengths. Our Jonty held second with a gap of 12 lengths to third-placed All Rhythm who made up ground in the latter stages.
There was a tragic aftermath to race. Wellington Steeplechase winner Harrison Ford fell at the first of the stand double with a round to go. He got back to his feet but collapsed in the parade ring behind the grandstand and died.
One horse who could not avoid the fall of Harrison Ford was Tactician who was brought down. Another runner not to complete the course was Tight Edge who was pulled up before the last fence when long out of contention.
- NZPA
Racing: Share forsaken to complete riding ticket
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