Last Saturday sprinter Redzel entered the history books after taking out the inaugural $10 million TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick, and two brothers from Launceston had every reason to celebrate.
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Dubbed ‘the world's richest race on turf', Mark Waddington of Prospect and brother Michael of Longford, make up one of 30 syndicate owners who will share in the $5.8 million first-place prizepool.
Both delivery drivers by trade, the brothers described themselves as “everyday Joe Blows” and said they could never have imagined something like this would happen to them.
“This has always been a dream of ours but the whole experience has been so overhwelming,” Michael said.
“Let’s just say that it is not enough money to retire on but it is a nice little figure.
“The success of this horse is definitely helping both of our families.”
After the death of their mother Yvonne in 2013, the brothers decided to use their inheritance to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning a horse together and said they came across the syndicate for Redzel on Triple Crown.
“Mum would have wanted us to put the money towards something worthy that would bring us closer together as a family,” Michael said.
“Mark had backed Redzel’s mum Millrich in the Golden Slipper years before.
“Then we heard about this cracking little colt and we thought it must be an omen.”
The brothers were also responsible for coming up with the gelding’s winning title, after each owner was asked to put forward a name for consideration.
“The fact that they took our name and now the horse has gone on to this level of success – things like this just doesn’t happen that often,” Mark said.
Saturday’s race was the first of its kind in Australia and proved a hit with punters, attracting Royal Randwick's biggest crowd in more than a century.
Redzel galloped to victory in front of more than 33,500 people, including Mark and Michael who made the trip to Sydney along with their families.
The victory was Redzel’s fifth win in a row and his 10th in 20 starts, bringing the horse’s total career winnings to a whopping $7.165 million.
Mark said the horse is now an honorary part of the Waddington family and that he gets very emotional every time he watches him race.
“Redzel runs the way that our mum ‘Vonnie’ lived her life,” he said.
“He is always flat out and never gives up.
“For such a little horse he must have a huge heart.
“We are pretty sure there is someone up there looking out for us.
“This is something we will never forget until the day we die.”