Bonny mare taking connections on exciting ride

[Wandering Eyes]

The aptly named Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) is ensuring her sizeable and enthusiastic support crew continue to celebrate the racing and social rewards of affordable thoroughbred ownership.

Trained by Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, last season’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) winner opened her current campaign in a blaze of glory with victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Foxbridge Pate (1200m) at Te Rapa.

Bonny Lass is raced by the 50-strong Social Racing Starting Gates Syndicate, managed by Brent Cooper who also shares in the ownership group with wife Wendy, the New Zealand Trainers’ Association Executive Officer, and the mare’s breeder Sandy Moore.

“Sandy and I met during my first year on the Auckland Racing Club board and it was quite serendipitous really,” Cooper said.

“He had never won a race at Ellerslie, he had been trying for years. He had Posh Bec (NZ) (Le Bec Fin) in the Soliloquy Stakes (Listed, 1400m) and my very first syndicate horse was Masquerade (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) who beat Posh Bec.

“That was the start of a rivalry and also a very strong friendship, Posh Bec is Bonny Lass’ mother and she ultimately gave Sandy his first winner at Ellerslie.

“The only sad thing about that was it was on Boxing Day during COVID and he wasn’t allowed there due to the restrictions.”

Cooper has owned and operated Social Racing since 2014 following a 30-year career in the fashion industry and was a Director of the Auckland Racing Club from 2008- 2021.

“I was originally contracted by (former NZTR Chief Executive) Greg Purcell, who launched Social Racing independently in 2012 through a marketing agency,” he said.

“He brought me on board and I changed the model a bit, made it smaller and got people more engaged in the ownership at a small cost.

“I did that for a couple of years and then Greg left and I took the brand over and the timing was quite good.

“I had Aoetearoa who was aligned with the Olympic rowers and was doing quite well. That had about 100 people involved and I started bringing in new syndicates like the Auckland Racing Club Winners’ Circle, I was still on the board at that stage.”

Cooper currently has 10 syndicates and 13 horses with about 300 active owners.

“I developed the concept into a paid model, reduced the numbers to a maximum of 100 people so there was more engagement, and the racing clubs were happy to welcome that number,” he said.

“I’ve kept the costs, and my management fees, to a minimum and it’s become quite commercial but has never lost its primary focus.

“That is to be affordable and more about the experience and meeting people and making good friends.

“It’s mainly a lease model but we’ve got three horses that we’ve bought racing at the moment, including Social Climber who runs in the Wanganui Guineas (Listed, 1200m).”

The Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings is Bonny Lass’ next target and she will be much improved for her resuming outing.

“The Tarzino is the plan and she really needed that run on Saturday, we honestly didn’t expect her to win,” Cooper said.

“She was a little bit tubby and woolly, so as long as she pulls up fine, she’ll be there.

“A better track will suit her and a heavy track would probably keep Crocetti away, but I really don’t mind which way it goes to be honest.

“Nothing scares her and she can do anything, she’s so tractable and she can go back or lead.”

The daughter of Super Easy has now won eight of her 21 starts and more than $745,000.

“She’s an absolute sweetheart and out on the track she’s a titan,” Cooper said.

“She’s been remarkably consistent and Graham and Rogan have done a wonderful job, they are a delight to work with and so professional.”

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