Retired farmers Eddie and Dawn Symes have joined the 100 club after 52 years in the sport of kings.
The husband and wife chalked up the milestone when a galloper they bred won at Hastings on July 17.
Justa Charlie is trained by son-in-law and Waverley farmer John Boon and was ridden that day by Wanganui jockey Jonathon Parkes. Ironically, Justa Charlie lines up at the Waverley meeting today, the place where it all pretty much began back in 1962.
The couple were farming in Waverley, a property now farmed by their son-in-law John and their daughter Jacqui.
The Symes' first winner was Erewhon and was ridden to victory by good mate and fellow Waverley farmer John Alexander in an amateur race at Te Rapa on October 22, 1962.