They were schoolmates and football teammates.
Now the close friends are enjoying another fun chapter in their life, this time as the ownership group of country cups specialist Our Millionaire.
And they are making the most of every moment.
Our Millionaire kept the party going with an all-the-way win in the Group 2 $60,000 The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Pacing Cup (2700m) on Sunday.
With Mark Pitt in the cart, the six-year-old found the front from gate two and was never seriously challenged as he led home an Emma Stewart-trained trifecta. Phoenix Prince was second and Demon Delight third, with a 1:57.6min mile rate in windy conditions on a rain-affected track.
Our Millionaire adds Horsham to his successes in the St Arnaud and Stawell cups, giving him 14 wins in 33 starts for $163,500 in earnings.
Mark Power, one of the six co-owners on course at Horsham, said the Our Millionaire venture had been initiated by former Sunbury Lions teammate Rod Sharp, with the group then linking up with Stewart and Clayton Tonkin and going to yearling sales in Sydney to acquire the son of Million Dollar Cam.
He said it was hard to explain the joy they were getting out of racing Our Millionaire.
“You get the adrenaline of playing football and when that’s over you’re looking for another buzz,” he said.
“This gives you that buzz. And you’re getting it without the body being sore.”
As much success as Our Millionaire has had, there have also been testing times.
He strung together six wins late in 2019 going into 2020, but unfortunately suffered an injury which would see him off the scene for almost a year.
He returned to racing in September last year, winning second-up in Ballarat. Horsham was his fourth win this campaign.
Power said Our Millionaire almost did not get to Horsham after having a minor setback and that it had not only been a surprise to see him start in the Group 2, but to also win.
Our Millionaire completed a driving treble for Pitt, who also won on My Justice in the Shelton and Lane Stationery Maiden Pace (1700m) and Mister Eighty One, a first-starter for Stewart’s Cardigan stable, in the Horsham Doors and Glass 3YO Maiden Pace (1700m).
My Justice provided a special moment for Snake Valley veteran trainer Trevor Dummett senior.
A six-year-old having just his fourth race start, My Justice is the first horse the 82-year-old has had to the races as a trainer since 2004 and first winner since Une Dine at Bacchus Marsh in 2003.
Pictures: Bianca Brehaut/Horsham Harness Racing Club
