Every month we will be putting the spotlight on one of our owners, asking them 10 questions to learn a bit more about their involvement with our stable! This month, we thought we better squeeze in an 11th question, such were the great stories that Jacque had to tell!
This month we interviewed Jacque Hogan. Jacque is a part owner of Lady Solly, who she owns in partnership with Chris Guthrie. Jacque spoke to us about her lifelong connection to the sport, her memories of spending time with horses from a young age, and of course, how much enjoyment she’s had with Lady Solly (7 min read).
How did you get involved with the sport of horse racing?
I naturally developed a love of the horse by spending many hours out with my dad, the late Greg Hogan, who trained thoroughbreds as well as running the family farm. The horses played a significant part in working the farm, shifting sheep from one paddock to another was done on horseback and the racehorses also played the part as the pony for us girls. Training, feeding, washing, grooming, was always swung upon the horses’ back whilst dad lead them from the paddock back to the stables. This of course. as a 3 or 4 year old, was my biggest buzz. This is how I spent my days as a kid before my school years started and thinking back now, my education around horses was much more productive than my early school days! Growing up around the thoroughbred and racing just stuck with me to this day and I’m very grateful for my upbringing around horses.
What’s one thing that you learnt off Greg, that you’ll never forget?
The biggest thing I leant was “PATIENCE”, “listen to the horse” and “always be kind to them”. Greg grew up with horses, riding a horse to school and having a team of 6 to work in the paddocks. He once rode his horse from Jeffcott to Watchem Racetrack so it could race, and he was also the jockey that day! You could say Greg’s understanding of the horse is being one with the horse, having great respect for the horse and their ability. He would often explain the importance of reading the horse, understanding each one’s personality and behavior traits, their individual idiosyncrasies. You must be a firm, kind leader with clear intentions, set boundaries and earn their respect. He had an incredible connection with any horse.
What are some of your favourite memories with Greg?
Greg was always called upon to rescue that horse situation; the foal that is stuck; the foal that won’t drink from its mum; the horse we can’t catch; the horse that has cut its leg open; the horse that won’t load; the horse that bucks with the kids on it; the list goes on! I remember when a time when a horse wouldn’t load; a friend was trying to load her horse as she had an event to get to. The boyfriend, the boyfriend’s mates, the neighbours were all there trying to get this horse in the float. They had food in the float to try and coax him in, but it just was not happening so she rang me, and I said I would get Greg to call in on their way home from Church. He stopped, got out of the car and stood quietly, assessing the situation, said nothing, walked over, had a laugh with the boys and then positioned them in place behind the float at the rear of the horse. He removed the food from the float, went over to the horse, had a few words and a chat with the horse (if only we knew the words spoken) rubbed the lead rope all over and behind the horse, walked him around, had a few more words with him, then continued to lead him up into the float. Of course, the horse walked straight on, with not a care in the world!
Who’s your favourite horse, apart from Lady Solly, and why?
Merry Bachelor was my favourite horse growing up, when I was 3 or 4 years old, all I wanted was a pony, but my response from Greg was that we have horses here. So I thought OK, and decided I would go down to the stables, climb the fence and ride one. Merry Bachelor was the horse that would come over and let me climb on and take me for a ride around the yard, then back to the fence when he had had enough. Hay band was my bridle! Merry Bachelor was one of Greg’s champion horses, 27 wins, 32 seconds and 33 thirds. He was known as a notorious horse, known for his bad boy behavior, and the reason why my parents freaked out when they could see me on his back going for a Merry ride. Needless to say, he always looked after me.
What is your connection with Lady Solly?
Chris tells a great story in his owner spotlight interview about the purchase of Solly, and how we got her – especially so cheaply! I had a very close bond with Solly from the moment she came home from the sales, I spend every day and every spare moment with her. She was in my care in the early days before she went to the breakers. After she was broken in she came home to the farm and Greg and I started working with her, she was a gem to work with and such a gentle soul. On the farm the horses live in a paddock and Solly joined the other 3 thoroughbreds in the paddock. It was so wonderful that Solly was under the guidance of Greg (Greg at that time in his late 80’s), starting her off with the basic training. Whilst he always rode the horses, when he hit the late 80’s he turned to the motorbike, lunging her off the long rope and doing the basic education with her. She loved the freedom in the paddock and worked beautifully alongside the motorbike. She’s such a tough girl, who always gives her all, and has ensured we have had so many great moments with her on and off the track.
How did Lady Solly get her name?
I named Solly after “Winter Solstice” as we bought her on 21st June, which is the day of the Winter Solstice, so Solly for short. It was how I would remember the deeds of the day we purchased her. Solstice means Sun and represents life, energy, positivity, clarity, confidence, peace and control. It represents the brute force of nature that cannot be controlled by us. The sun will go its way and will have whatever effects on us it wants. Go Solly… she is the force of Nature!
How did you find Adam to become the trainer of Lady Solly?
Chris mentioned I should go and have a look at Adam’s setup, Chris explained he trained from the farm and had access to beach swimming, which sounded a perfect setup for Solly. My two cents were looking for a similar setup to the farm at Litchfield, trained out of the paddock, lots of freedom to be a horse and graze in paddocks during the day. Bonus of Warrnambool is the beach swimming and plenty of green grass for a pick. Once I stepped foot on Adam’s property, I instantly knew this was going to work for Solly. It was a beautifully presented property, lush green grass sprouting in the paddocks, Adam being a hands-on trainer, with a boutique training setup and trained out of the paddocks on his property. There was also the swimming at Lady Bay and a happy team of horses under his care. I’m a lover of the ocean and understand the benefits it has to us humans, and is equally beneficial for horses in training. It’s a great bonus for trainers having access to a beach.
What’s the best bit about owning a horse with AJ Chambers Racing?
What comes through about Adam is he is extremely passionate and has a great attention to detail. Being a boutique stable, he has time with each horse, he is one on one with his horses and riding each of them and has a true understanding and their ability, progress and personalities. The time he spends with each horse gives him great insight into the course to take with their racing career. Think he may have a photographic memory as he’s a stickler when it comes to retaining knowledge! What I have noticed with Adam through Solly, Sol has complete respect for Adam and is very happy in her environment and enjoys her training. She is well cared for and occasionally spoilt. The horse is your eyes to a true authentic training complex. Happy horse speaks volumes. Adam has great patience with the horse, a great attribute to have as a trainer.
What is the race you most want to win as an owner?
The 955m Final at The Valley (25th March 2022) and a black type race with Lady Solly would be amazing. The others would be; The Everest; Jericho Cup; Grand Annual (Warrnambool Carnival); and having a runner at the Cheltenham Festival (in the same race as the Queen would be nice)!
What is your favourite racehorse of all time?
Winx – a true champion, so composed and calm every race day.
What advice could you provide to owners looking to get involved for the first time?
You don’t need to be a millionaire/billionaire to own a horse, I’m living proof. Just dive straight in! Just do whatever you can to get involved, because there are so many good things about owning a horse. If you’re a lover of the horse, there are many ways to be involved and its fun, enjoyable, sociable, exciting, challenging and winning is just THE BEST!!! JUST DO IT!
