The horses and riders are arriving at Stonewall Equestrian for the TSHA National Titles (May 23 – 26) and one of the most interesting teams taking on the Maiden Teams Challenge features a couple of wily old showjumpers and a Group I placed Godolphin stakes-winner that earned nearly $1million on the track.
Breednet are fielding a very similar team to the one that gave us victory last year, but going back to back won’t be easy with eight teams set to do battle and The Koonama Knockouts are in it to win it.
“Koonama Knockouts came about when we decided to sponsor our own team because we were contacted by Godolphin who wanted Etymology in their team and then called back to say they didn’t need him,” said retired horse trainer and avid jumping fan Len Foster.
“I called Jim Scobie a friend for 40 years and got Jim and his son Ben Blay to join our team and we have two horses Etymology and Anew both by New Approach, who won an Epsom Derby.
“Anew will be ridden by our good friend and international rider Sarah Burke, who rode young riders for Ireland in France and has competed in Doha and three star in the USA.”
11 year old Etymology was the best of the horses in his racing days winning multiple Listed races and finishing second in the Group I VRC Victoria Derby and South Australian Derby before retiring in August 2019 with earnings just shy of $1million.
Foster and his wife Meg are taking four horses to Stonewall Equestrian for the Nationals and have another three at home with all seven guaranteed a home for life.
“We may be getting older, but we will give it a good crack!” said Foster.
Jim Scobie is riding 15yo Benicio gelding Boomerang Café, an accomplished jumper who was in Series Two of the old Jump Off TV show and has gone on to be a very successful competitor and was in the final of the Magic Millions Off the Track Cup earlier this year.
Ben Blay will have his hands full with six year-old gelding Kamikaze Kid, a son of US bred stallion Honor in War (USA) that was bred by David Bay and broken in and raced by Blay.
He did manage to win one race from 10 starts, but is doing better as a jumper although his path to the show ring has not been smooth.
“The page isn’t long enough to list all of his quirks,” said Blay.
“We ride him in a race pad for his back and he’s a head shaker so we keep his bridle simple.
“He’s batshit crazy, but really careful and brave, so worth putting up with!”
