One owner. Ten questions. Welcome to the 15th edition of our Owner Spotlight Series!
This month we interviewed Greg May. Greg has had a lifelong association with the sport of racing across many different facets, such as training, breeding and ownership. Greg has also played a key role in some of our recent purchases across various sales and we’re very grateful to have been able to sit down with him to have a chat about his involvement with our stable. (5 min read).
Thanks for your time, Greg! We’ll start with your younger years, talk us through your upbringing?
Well, I was actually born over in Perth before my parents moved us all back to Heywood. We were in Heywood for a few years before we moved again, this time over to Adelaide when I was 7. I had a great upbringing in South Australia, growing up with my younger brothers. I spent all of my school years in Adelaide and was good enough to be able to play rugby for South Australia which was great fun. I met my late wife Michelle at the Brighton Rugby Club and we moved over to New Zealand in 1979 before getting married in 1980.
When did you first get involved in the sport of racing?
Racing has always been a part of my life; I purchased my first share in a harness horse as a 19-year-old uni student! When Michelle and I came back from New Zealand we moved to Wagga and rented a farmhouse. The man who owned the property was a local harness trainer named John “Digger” Carroll. His son Wayne played footy for the Sydney Swans and now trains thoroughbreds himself out of Wagga. I learnt a lot off Digger and always had a keen interest in the trotters before eventually training a couple myself. Michelle and I moved back to SA at the end of 1989, where I was working full-time as a teacher. I continued to train a couple of trotters when I could and we also stood a stallion who covered around 15 mares. I had a few winners here or there but gave it away towards to end of the 90’s with the prizemoney getting worse and work commitments increasing.
Talk us through your involvement with Harness Racing, and the similarities to Thoroughbreds?
Harness racing taught me patience and to take your time. This is relevant to thoroughbreds as there’s a lot of emphasis these days, probably too much, on speedy horses and racing them as two-year-old’s because the big trainers are under pressure to get early results. In my day with the trotters that sort of stuff was unheard of. Being able to listen to your horse and allowing it to tell you what it wants to do is important as well, because you can’t force things. In terms of breeding, similar principles apply between both. I like to look at the families; if I’m going to go to the stallion I want them to be proven or I want the horse to come from a family that consistently produced winners.
What are some of your favourite racing memories as an owner?
My most emotional win was by a horse called Last One Named, when he broke his maiden at Murray Bridge in 2018. The significance was that Michelle and I bred him, and he was the last horse named before Michelle passed away seven years ago. He was just a yearling when she passed and has his name because she gave everything on our farm a name. Whether it was horses, cats, dogs, no matter what they were, she named them! We bred Last One Named together and had a number of family connections involved because of who he was and what he meant to us, so it was a special day.
How long have you been an owner with AJ Chambers Racing for?
I met Adam back in 2017 when he purchased a yearling off me that I had bred and taken to the Adelaide sales. The horse raced as Gozzo and was showing promise after a few starts before passing away in a freak paddock accident. I took 10% in the horse when Adam got him, as I’m a believer that if you are prepared to breed and sell then you should be prepared to stay involved. As I’ve been a teacher my whole life you notice there are people you just get along with, and people you can always talk to, and Adam is one of those people. I really like that his family are involved with the stable, both as owners and on the property supporting him. He’s a genuinely nice young man who wants the best out of his horses and goes out of his way to make you feel welcome. I’ve kept in touch with him since those sales five years ago, and even more so since I moved back to Heywood in September last year.
What’s the best bit about owning a horse with AJ Chambers Racing?
I really enjoy Adam’s patience; he’s prepared to give all of his horse’s time. This means it can take longer in terms of getting a return on your money, but what’s most important is giving them every possible chance to succeed. His attention to detail is second to none and he always makes sure every little thing is done right. Whether that’s cleaning the stables or giving the right feeds individual to each horse. Adam is also quite flexible in his thinking, is prepared to think outside the square and pivots when he needs to. I’ve also been able to attend recent sales with him, which has been great fun. We have respectful conversations and processes when selecting horses that we want to bid on.
What current horses do you own?
I’ve got a couple of unraced horses with Adam, being Hold The Phone and a two-year-old Overshare gelding we call Buddy. I was lucky to be there when we purchased both (Magic Millions Adelaide) and they met all the criteria. Sometimes you can look at horse’s which tick all the boxes but for some reason you don’t like them, however for these horses they were fantastic to look at in every way. They had great pedigree, looks, athleticism and type. I’ve also got a special connection with Buddy because I was the one putting my hand up for the bidding! Adam’s flight was going to leave before he was auctioned, and I’m always happy to sign on other people’s money! So, the more races he wins, the more credit I’ll take!
Who is your favourite racehorse of all time?
There are dozens of horses I’ve been impressed with, but of all the horses that I’ve seen race in the flesh Black Caviar was the best. So that can be my criteria! Michelle and I were able to watch her at Morphettville when she won the Goodwood in 2012. We got a great spot on the fence and being up close to watch her was a great experience.
What is the race you most want to win as an owner?
I would say the Cox Plate, as it’s such a brilliant race being middle distance and weight for age. Some horses can win the Melbourne Cup without being superstars, but the Cox Plate consistently attracts the best of the best. Being at the cauldron of Moonee Valley adds an extra level of theatre as well.
What advice could you provide to owners looking to get involved for the first time?
The best thing about owning a horse is the people you meet along the way. Racing people are very friendly and always willing to chat, so involve yourself as much as possible. I love dropping in to the stable or trackwork to see the horses. It’s also important to be patient and let your trainer do the job, you wouldn’t tell your mechanic how to fix your car, so you shouldn’t tell your trainer how to train! Also be sure to remember it’s not about making money and anything you spend should be considered as money that you’re happy to write off for a great experience.
