PHOTO/JOHN BORREN
Horse racing is a chance for the public to put on their flashest threads and heels to parade at the track. But for those in the industry there's a lot of work getting the four-legged stars into that birdcage. Annemarie Quill reports.
The sponsor
Bayleys and Tauranga racing have enjoyed a close relationship for years, says Allison Stewart, sponsorship and events manager at the Bay real estate firm.
"A day at the races is a great day out _ the entertainment, colour and excitement of the races, the chance to be up close to the horses while they move around the birdcage and to socialise with our own guests and others enjoying the day out.
"The Bayleys International Race Day is Tauranga's answer to the Melbourne Cup and it sits perfectly with our brand and our people. Bayleys has enjoyed a close relationship with Trac Racing for a number of years.
"We have sponsored a full day annually for over 14 years and the Bayleys International Race Day for the past six years. During the year a number of our sales people take the opportunity to sponsor a race, host clients and enjoy a day out.''
Allison says the racing is an opportunity to be glamorous.
"We see photographs of the Melbourne Cup, Ascot and indeed Ellerslie where men and women take the opportunity to dress up to attend an event that is based on thoroughbreds performing to their very best.
"We see and hear of the Karaka horse sales and horse-owner winnings from a successful day at the races. Glamour and money are synonymous, as is tradition and, over the decades, it has always been `dress up for a day at the races'.
"With at least a five-hour outing one can easily justify the effort! We hear the call in Tauranga `we need to have an occasion to dress up', well, this is it.
"It is fabulous to see the men leave their `work' suit in the wardrobe and take the opportunity to splash about some colour, and the ladies who really add to the atmosphere with a gorgeous array of hats, heels and high fashion.''
The syndicate member
At Bayleys International Race Day, Whakamarama mother-of-three Lyn Egan will be cheering on horse Sea Major in the F&M 1300m race. She has been part of a syndicate that has leased the horse for the past 18 months.
"My husband has previously been involved in various forms of horse ownership and I saw the excitement this generated when one of their horses was starting and certainly the celebrations after the odd win.
"So, when the opportunity arose to become involved in a syndicate that was being put together by local trainer Jim Pender, I decided it was something that I might also want to experience.''
She says ownership via syndicate is the way more women are becoming racehorse owners.
"The new breed of syndicated owners means that there are a lot of women like me who can, and should, get involved in owning or leasing a horse. I strongly encourage anyone who is interested to look into it as it doesn't have to break the bank and definitely does not have to be a male domain.
"Our syndicate, comprising of seven people, none of whom I previously knew, doesn't own Sea Major. Ownership can be a lot more expensive and quite risky as you really don't know how the horse will perform until they start racing.
"We have leased her instead. Being part of a syndicate is a much more affordable way for an individual to get into racing and the lease has a buyout price set at the beginning, which allows the syndicate to purchase the horse at any stage.
"It is very exciting being part of a syndicate of owners and sharing the same dreams and expectations of owning a possible champion. Our syndicate is very lucky to be involved in a horse that has shown some real ability and potential to succeed further, which makes the participation even more exciting.''
Lyn has been interested in the racing scene since a child.
"When I was about 5 or 6 my grandmother used to take me to the TAB and we were allowed to choose an each-way bet and then listen to it on the radio at home.
"Coming to most race meetings for the past four or five years has really developed that interest.
"Tauranga racing puts on a great day - from the grass roots with the picnics and children's events to the fashion in the field and on to the serious punters who don't leave the TV screens to come outside and watch the race. There is something for everyone.''
When she is not thinking horses, Lyn is a busy mum to Holly, 20, at Otago University studying third-year medicine, Grace, 14, and Jack, 12, are both at Aquinas College.
She also owns her own business as the Tauranga/Coromandel Area manager for Baycorp. Her involvement with Sea Major has also given her insight into the business of racing.
"During my involvement as an owner I have learned so much more about the racing industry. Before this I could read a race book, however, I have really enjoyed starting to learn about the work involved in getting a horse ready to race and some of the planning that is involved in the training of the horse.
"Over the years we have met many great people through the various syndicates that we have been involved in, and through racing in general.
"I really enjoy the exciting atmosphere of a day at the races, socialising with other owners, trainers and punters _ especially if your own horse is starting.''
Whatever happens in the race, Lyn will make a day of it.
"My husband and I, together with friends, plan to be at the races at Tauranga that day ... I do get dressed up.
"A day at the races is an occasion and dressing up reflects that. It's a long day ... and night if the bets come in!''
The trainer
Come Bayleys International Race Day, Bev Kelso won't be wearing a top hat and high heels.
"It is hard to dress up when you're handling horses.''
Bev is trainer for Xanadu, one of the horses in the Japan Cup and one of about 16 horses that Bev, with husband Ken, train. Bev earned her trainers' licence in 1978, when female trainers were few and far between.
"Nowadays it is more common but not so about 30 to 40 years ago.''
She got into training by working with a friend's horse.
"It was my first winner, Fortune's Fancy''.
The friend recommended she get a licence, then after a while she and Ken decided to go into partnership together.
Kelso fell in love with husband Ken on Tauranga's show jumping circuit. Originally from Tauriko, now living in Matamata, the pair are both hands-on trainers.
A typical day sees Bev rise at 4.30am to go to the track and start working with the horses. She grabs a break around 11am "to do the housework'' and then at 2.30pm she is back, grooming and feeding.
"We do have staff but we like to be hands on. It can be a physical job _ you have to be fit. I used to ride the horses too but not now. The horses can be a bit naughty sometimes but we give them a lot of TLC. We spend a lot of time with them so know them well.''
The couple do not have children, "we have a dog and two cats'' and horses fill up most of Bev's time.