For card players, “alligator blood” means to possess a win at all costs, never say die attitude, and, fittingly, Alligator Blood is the name carried by one of the most exciting 3-year-olds racing in Australia at the moment.
He’s the type of horse that gallops with grit and determination and has only ever suffered defeat once in his eight-start career. The day that happened he was ambushed in the G1 Caulfield Guineas (1600 metres) by Super Seth (Dundeel {NZ}) which snuck up on him out of nowhere making it impossible for him to rally enough in time to stave off the late challenge.
After that loss in Melbourne, trainer David Vandyke sent Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) to the paddock to regroup mentally and physically and since returning to the racing fray has more than made amends with two easy wins at Eagle Farm.
Those impressive performances indicate he will be very hard to hold out again in the Listed $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400 metres) at the Gold Coast this Saturday.
Alligator Blood’s competitive racing spirit is becoming a great source of inspiration for not only his growing legion of fans but also his owners. Should he win this weekend, it will be just the tonic they need after being dealt a mixed hand of cards in the game of life lately.
Allan Endresz (left)
Part-owner Allan Endresz has waged a 20-year litigation battle with the Australian Government and on December 13 he won the bankruptcy case that is believed to be the most complicated of its kind in the nation’s history.
“I officially won the bankruptcy when the full Federal Court handed down judgement in my favour.
“With the bankruptcy set aside, I am now at liberty to pursue the Commonwealth for $4.3 billion by application in the High Court,” said Allan.
But just as Allan finally began emerging from those troubling times in his business life, along came an even bigger challenge.
A bigger challenge
Eight weeks ago his wife of 33 years, Joy, was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer.
“In the middle of winning against the Government after 20 years and amidst all the good news and success with Alligator Blood my wife Joy said she didn't feel too good. She went to get a check-up only to be told she has Stage 4 bowel cancer.”
“In the middle of winning against the Government after 20 years and amidst all the good news and success with Alligator Blood my wife Joy said she didn't feel too good." - Allan Endresz
Joy, 58, is determined to fight the disease which has now spread to her liver and sacrum bone.
“Al’s (Alligator Blood) an inspiration for her. Like his name means, it’s all about being tenacious and resilient and don’t give up if you think you are drowning in it.
“Always recover and get back up and keep going. From a health and finance perspective the journey is all about getting out there and going for it.”
Alligator Blood, pipped-at-the-post by Super Seth (not in shot) in the Caulfield Guineas
Joy is currently going through the final weeks of her first round of chemotherapy treatment and, as you would expect, won’t be physically able to attend the races this weekend.
“She won’t be up to the Magic Millions and is giving me a leave pass. I will go up and see Al and come back home.”
Both Allan and Joy are very open and philosophical about the battle they now face.
“It’s going to be tough for her everyday so it’s just a matter to taking it one day at a time.
“She's letting a lot of people know not to get blasé about tests. Two years ago, she was cleared and has always been meticulous with health and food and diet. If anyone, I should be the one that has it.”
Lifting the human spirit
It’s funny in life how horses can come along and lift the human spirit and there’s little doubt that Alligator Blood is keeping the Endresz family motivated through a very difficult time.
In recent weeks they have fielded enormous offers for him from Hong Kong and the Middle East but there’s no way they will part with him.
“We had an offer for $3.2 million which is extraordinary for a gelding. He’s too valuable to us and we want to enjoy and race him.
“We had an offer for $3.2 million which is extraordinary for a gelding. He’s too valuable to us and we want to enjoy and race him." - Allan Endresz
“People have been thanking us for not selling because nowadays we lose a lot to stud duties, Hong Kong and overseas.”
Allan and his fellow owners in the Ezybonds No 1 syndicate, his uncle and aunty Jeff and Robyn Simpson, purchased Alligator Blood from Gerry Harvey’s Baramul Stud draft at the 2018 Magic Millions Yearling Sale for $55,000. In hindsight, he was a bargain buy.
Alligator Blood when sold as a yearling for $55,000
“He didn't draw anyone’s attention but we thought he was smack on with pedigree and looks.”
Importantly, Alligator Blood also passed a rather unusual test that Allan likes to put all horses through before he buys them.
“I look at pedigree and horse itself and then do this silly temperament test by seeing how they respond to a bit of singing.
“I sang him some Frank Sinatra and he liked it.
“I look at pedigree and horse itself and then do this silly temperament test by seeing how they respond to a bit of singing... I sang him some Frank Sinatra and he liked it." - Allan Endresz
“He was passed in and we negotiated with Gerry (Harvey) and did a wonderful deal with him and off we went.”
Now Alligator Blood is taking his owners on a journey that could involve the G1 Cox Plate (2040 metres) at Moonee Valley later this year.
Ryan Maloney and David Vandyke when Alligator Blood won the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400 metres)
“For the three of us he’s been exhilarating, a once in a lifetime dream.
“If we treat him nicely, David is talking about races like the C.S Hayes S. and Australian Guineas and we would love nothing better than another match-up with Super Seth again.
“From there it’s as much as he wants to dream and he’s pencilled in the Cox Plate which would be exciting for him.”
For now, the focus is on his main aim this preparation which is to win the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas on Saturday and just enjoy each day as it comes in both racing and life.
“I think it’s all about being persistent and to keep going and enjoy the ride whether it’s good or bad.
“You just have to put up with it,” said Allan.
