Cover image courtesy of Racing Victoria
It’s fair to say Saturday, July 8, will live in the mind of Spicy Margs' (Deep Field) co-owner Emma Shelley for a long-time when the flashy filly showed her rivals a clean pair of heels at Caulfield to win by 2.25l from Sensical (Zoustar).
The daughter of Deep Field was lining-up at Caulfield for her second start and her first start since a spell after a below-par debut effort on Oaks Day in the G3 Ottawa S. at Flemington in the spring, a race that was won by Spicy Margs' highly regarded stablemate Charm Stone (I Am Invincible).
The filly’s dominant victory on Saturday showed she had taken no ill effects from her first preparation and is a filly with a big future. For the Spicy Margs ownership group, the success was extraordinary.
Seventy ladies own the flashy chestnut and is the first all-ladies syndicate filly to hit the track from the stable of the Cranbourne-based trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.
Among the 70 ladies in the ownership is Emma Shelley. Shelley has held the office manager role at Price-Kent Jnr Racing for three years.
Spicy Margs is the first flat horse Shelley has bought into, and it’s already proving an unbelievable ride despite the daughter of Deep Field only having two race day starts.
“Prior to Spicy Margs, I had ownership in a jumper, so this is a completely different experience for me. The jumper raced during COVID-19, so I couldn’t even be there to see him win. Being at Caulfield on Saturday with family and friends to watch the filly (Spicy Margs) win was huge,” Shelley told TTR AusNZ.
All ladies' filly
Spicy Margs, a daughter of the outstanding but fertility-challenged Deep Field, looks capable of being the next stakes winner for the Newgate Farm-based stallion. The filly is the second foal and first to race from the Helmet mare Crossing The Abbey, who won at Flemington as a juvenile and was placed in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies).
Spicy Margs hails from the family of Lavish Girl (Xtravagant {NZ}), a G2 Angus Armanasco S. winner.
The filly was a $340,000 yearling purchase by Mick Price Racing and Breeding from the draft of Daandine Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Spicy Margs was identified quickly as an ideal all-ladies syndicate filly.
Spicy Margs as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“Spicy Margs is Mick (Price) and Michael (Kent Jnr) first all ladies' horses. The original aim was to get her to the Magic Millions 2YO Classic for the $500,000 ladies' bonus, but Spicy Margs didn’t come up in time,” Shelley told TTR AusNZ.
“For many of the ladies, it’s their first time in a racehorse. Shona (Drechsler), Mick’s partner, is the managing owner. There are a lot of wives and partners of long-time clients in Spicy Margs who haven’t owned horses in their name before.
“For many of the ladies, it’s (owning Spicy Margs) their first time in a racehorse. Shona (Drechsler), Mick’s partner, is the managing owner. There are a lot of wives and partners of long-time clients in Spicy Margs who haven’t owned horses in their name before.” - Emma Shelley
“My mum and sister-in-law, two of my best friends, are part of the journey. Mark Pratt, a committee member at Caulfield, his wife is in the ownership, so it was massive for him to have an affiliation with the club and then his wife to have a winner.
“The ownership of Spicy Margs is very diverse. We have people from all walks of life and different backgrounds.”
A day at the races
All lady syndicates are becoming more common, and racing embraces the concept.
Magic Millions famously offers a $500,000 bonus to the first all-female-owned galloper home in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, and Inglis introduced the $1 million Inglis Pink Bonus Series for horses that’s ownership is made up of 75 per cent of females.
All lady syndicates are a key strategy to engage new participants in the industry and offer current participants the opportunity for new thrills.
Connections of Spicy Margs | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“I think all lady syndicates are so beneficial; you get to enjoy days like we had on Saturday. Michael’s partner Ali (Berwick), pre-trained Spicy Margs, was great to see her rewarded. Ali has a syndicate in the filly that includes her mum, and she’s from a performance horse background, so the syndicate is made up of a lot of Ali’s friends, who have horsey backgrounds but with show jumping,” Shelley shared with TTR AusNZ.
“It’s been a great experience even the day we were unplaced on debut. Mick thought she might have come to her preparation a little bit, but the draw of having a runner on Oaks Day, Mick was keen to have 70 ladies enjoying the races that may not have been there otherwise.”
Shelley admits she had some question marks on Saturday with Spicy Margs stepping out to the 1100 metres for the first time.
Spicy Margs winning the 2YO H. at Caulfield on Saturday | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“I was thinking on Saturday I’m not sure if Spicy Margs would get the 1100 metres, as she had only trialled over 800 metres and wasn’t really asked too much.
“We weren’t really concerned over the conditions being in the soft range; the Cranbourne track she works on runs like a heavy 20. But when she turned into the home straight, and I kicked, I thought, ‘Oh no, they might catch her’, but she just took off and was uncatchable.”
Eyes on the future
Shelley shared there are plenty of options on the horizon for Spicy Margs.
“We missed out on the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, but the bonus has been extended to the 3-year-old race, so that may be an option. Mick actually sent an update about an hour ago and mentioned we may head to a race at Moonee Valley on July 29, and then there is another race three weeks later back at Caulfield.”
Shelley, who is still on cloud nine after Saturday, encourages anybody and especially ladies that want to get involved in racing to take the step and join a syndicate. The rewards and networking provide plenty of memories.
“I would encourage anybody to join. When I got my crew together, I rang probably 15 or 20 girlfriends, and we put money in and bought a share in a racehorse and see what comes of it.
“I would encourage anybody to join. When I got my crew together, I rang probably 15 or 20 girlfriends, and we put money in and bought a share in a racehorse and see what comes of it.” - Emma Shelley
“And I can’t believe it, to be honest; I know I’ve said that several times, but when you work in racing for so long, and you see your horse win, it’s unreal.
“To get a city winner and at just a filly having her second start. It’s an unbelievable feeling, and I can’t stop watching the replay, to be honest,” Shelley told TTR AusNZ.
“It’s enriching to the team that works underneath me. The team works super hard; they’re there at 4am daily. In general, getting winners is huge, but having my own horse and stable and with my friends and family involved incredible incredible experience.
“It’s enriching to the (Price Kent Racing) team that works underneath me. The team works super hard; they’re there at 4am daily. In general, getting winners is huge, but having my own horse (Spicy Margs) and stable and with my friends and family involved incredible incredible experience.” - Emma Shelley
“Mick has got one of the best teams in racing and is great to be involved with. Some of his staff have been there for over 10 years, so that’s a reflection of who he is as a boss. I love working for him, and having Spicy Margs makes it so special.”
Shelley shared that Spicy Margs won’t be the last all-ladies' syndicate horse to grace the track from the Price-Kent Jnr team.
“All ladies' horses tend to go like hotcakes because women want to be involved. I’m sure next year when they go get another one, Spicy Margs’ success will be a huge drawcard.”
