HRNZ’s Owner and Breeder for October

[Wandering Eyes]

Every month HRNZ picks at random an owner and breeder of the month. The only proviso is that their horse must have won a race during the month.

For October Josh Lester was given the owner’s award after Brother Love’s win at Addington on October 3 while breeder of the month was Alan Edge, after Off The Edge’s win at Addington on October 16.

Owner of the month : Josh Lester

It’s rare for Josh Lester not to be at the races to urge his horse home but he wasn’t at Addington to see Brother Love win on October 3.

“Normally we make every effort to be at the track as that’s what we are in this game for but it was a Thursday and we couldn’t make it.”

Based in Geraldine, an hour or so’s drive south of Christchurch, Lester manages the Gray Goats Syndicate, who are  part of Brother Love’s ownership group.

“Our syndicate comprises four family members – my wife Katherine, sister Ange and niece Zakiaya. We just wanted to find a cost effective way to enhance a day out at the races through ownership.

“We just looked on social media at what stables had purchased what post the yearling sales, then got in touch with Gavin (Smith) … and in the end jumping on board with Brother Love.”

The Love You five-year-old has had 44 starts, his win at Addington last month was his fifth.

“It’s been a good journey to this point, plenty don’t even make it to the track so to win five with our syndicate’s first horse has been great.”

The syndicate has since had an involvement with Olives Dream, a cheap buy off Gavelhouse. Their 10 per cent share cost just $70 and she won twice at Timaru (Nov 2023) and Winton (February 2024).

“The buzz of seeing a $700 horse finding a home in racing and win certainly was satisfying for everyone involved.”

They are also involved with an Always B Miki colt at Brent and Tim White’s stables in Ashburton.

Breeder of the month : Alan Edge

For October Alan Edge won the Breeder award after Off The Edge’s win in an amateur drivers’ race at Addington on October 16, driven by partner Cheree Wigg. Many of his horses carry the “Edge” name.  

Off the Edge is by Art Official out of Ella Fitzgerald.

Fittingly Off The Edge has been one of Edge’s best performers in a long and successful stint in the sport. He has won nine races and nearly $100K.  

Edge is a high profile personality. In business he heads up Southern Demolition and his interest in horse racing horse goes way back.

“I was at the New Zealand Cup in 1961 to see my uncle (Steve) win with Invicta.”

Since then Edge has been a prolific owner – “One year I bought 14 at the weanling sales in Auckland!”

“I own 28 at the moment and have 17 in work.”

This year he will bred four foals.

He also has a youngster he’s looking forward to getting to the races.

“A two-year-old we will call Celebrity Edge – named after the cruise ship.”

Costing $1b the Celebrity Edge is an award-winning cruise liner that was launched in 2018.

Congratulations to both of October’s winners and your plaques are on their way.

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