24 JUNE 2020 | ISSUE 452 | FREE
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and kick started Dad’s career in 1990 with the Cox Plate win. I’d also like to thank the artist for depicting him with a lot of horse to give. It looks like he’s absolutely travelling!” Member for Euroa, Steph Ryan congratulated Brett and Carol for their vision and commitment to the region, “what you have created here is magnificent because it will help bring the story of the studs to a broader audience and showcase the incredible rich history that we have here and why the industry is so important to the region." Adam Sangster, is the Principal of Swettenham Stud, and has tasted success more than once with horses like, Trust in A Gust and Black Friars. Adam spoke of the challenges of being able to showcase their studs and success to the public. “Our stud farms are not open to the public and Zephryz will now help to fill that gap. When I travel around the world and meet trainers and breeders they take you to a destination that is significant to horse racing. In Newmarket you’ve got ‘ The Yard’, and now in Nagambie we will have Zephryz, what you’ve created here Carol and Brett is a go to destination,” said Adam.
A new mural dedicated to champion racehorses bred in the Nagambie region has been unveiled in Nagambie. Zephyrz Cafe owners, Brett and Carol commissioned artist Christiano Dery Theodorus to create a unique mural that celebrates the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. A collaboration of the new and the old, “ The Wall Of Champions” is an artist's impression that reflects the excitement that is had in the thoroughbred racing industry. 29 year old Christiano Dery Theodorus was born in Indonesia and has been painting and sketching from a very young age. Known as Dery, his works can be seen across Shepparton and Mooroopna. He is self taught and had never painted a horse prior to creating the Wall of Champions. “Christiano Dery Theodorus is the mastermind behind this amazing work. His amazing talent, he’s never painted a horse in his life, this is his first attempt at racing,” said Brett.
“The criteria to be included in the Wall of Champions was simple, if you’re a local thoroughbred breeder and you’ve found success in winning a Group one race, then you're in,” said Carol.
Excitement, colours and characters contribute to the atmosphere created in the Champions Lounge, and then there’s the stories to be told. Swettenham Stud has on display some impressive silverware adding to the offering at the venue. “We want to create a museum of racing memorabilia significant to the region. Let us be united in our approach, generate tourism and support our local businesses,” said Brett. From this region, time and time again we see champions being born upon this soil. Household names immediately springs to mind, they fly the flag in Australia and internationally. Black Caviar, Jamaica, All Too Hard, Trust in the Gust and the list continues.Victoria is known as ‘ The thoroughbred State’. It is home to some of the world’s best breeding and racing. Racing is worth more than $2.1 Billion to the Victorian economy every year. There is no doubt these are impressive figures. But perhaps even more impressive, is what’s happening in the Strathbogie Shire. Mayor Amanda McClaren spoke of the economic benefit of the racing industry to the region. “Strathbogie Shire is home to many of Australia’s best trainers and successful breeding enterprises. We’re seeing leaders
in the horse industry move from even further afield with the international investment of Yulong. In North East Victoria (in which our Shire is the most significant contributor) thoroughbred breeding provides $57.5 Million in economic benefits. It’s the biggest contributor outside of Melbourne. In the same region there are 1070 participants in the breeding industry, again the largest outside of Melbourne,” said Mayor McClaren. “For Strathbogie Shire – the equine industry isn’t simply a nice to have. It’s a key driver to our economic success. It is creating jobs, generating investment and has put us on the map as one of the country’s leading breeding and training hubs. I’m immensely proud of the industry and the successful horses that have been bred and trained here,” said Mayor McClaren. JD Hayes is the Assistant Trainer of Lindsay Park Racing, the Hayes dynasty is synonymous with racing and breeding. The Hayes family have trained some incredible horses over the years so we asked JD who is a stand out? Pointing at the mural, JD says, “I’d have to say the old boy on the wall there. ‘Better Loosen Up,’ my Dad talks so loving of him. Better Loosen Up also links my grandfather
Brett and Carol havn’t finished yet. Dery is busily painting and creating a ‘Wall of Honour’ for horses that have left their mark in racing history.