Congratulations to ARCC's Epsom Super Saturday Strapper Awards winners!!

ARCC presented awards to the strapper of the "Best Paraded Horse" for each race at Royal Randwick's Epsom Super Saturday meeting on October 1st 2011

Judging took place in the parade ring as the horses were paraded before each race and took into account the presentation of horse and handler, as well as the horse handling skills of the strapper.

A big thank you to our judge Colin Watts Snr who appreciated the better weather this year.

(Pictured here is Brenna Harrison, strapper of Renewed Vitality in Race 7 - Epsom Handicap)

Thanks also to the various ATC staff who assisted with the practical arrangements.

The full list of winners is as follows:

2YO Trials BBQ hits the spot

The official ATC 2YO qualifying trials are an important testing ground for owners and trainers who have high hopes for their young horses in the early 2YO events of the season. 
However, for those in the stabling area, it's just another long hard day.  And with trials happening so frequently throughout the morning, there is no time to make it to the canteen facilities provided near the parade ring.

To make things a little easier for them, ARCC with the generous support of the Australian Turf Club, conducted a BBQ in the stabling area during this year's 2YO trials at Canterbury racecourse on Monday September 19.

With the meat donated by ARCC and the drinks donated by ATC, over 200 strappers, float drivers, swab staff and other stable area workers were served free of charge on the day with all in ready agreement that this was a great initiative by ARCC and the ATC.  Quite a few also availed themselves of the New Testaments and pamphlets on offer.

ARCC Chaplain Colin Watts was ably assisted on the day by Allan & Lisa from Darby Racing, Bob & Ross from Kensington-Eastlakes Anglican Church, and Tanya from Australian Turf Club.

[Pictured from left to right are Colin Watts (ARCC), Allan Johns (Darby Racing), Tanya (ATC) and Ross Callaghan (KEAC)]

Get ready for the Annual Racing Industry Golf Day on Monday 26 September! Held at St Michael’s Golf Course at Little Bay, the event is organised by the Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy and is a major fundraiser in support of the ministry.

The Ambrose event is played over 18 holes on one of the city’s most challenging courses, attracting trainers, jockeys, stablehands, owners and corporate teams. Last year’s competition for the ARCC Perpetual Shield was won by a team from Sky Racing.

The Event Ambassador is former champion jockey, Malcolm Johnston (suspended 56 times!).

Cost for the event is $140 per person, which includes a golf cart and sumptuous buffet lunch. Registration will commence on the day from 8.00 am for 8.45 am tee-off.  If you are unable to make it for the golf, you can still support ARCC by attending the luncheon (The luncheon starts at approximately 12:30pm. Tickets are $50 pp)

Individual and team bookings are now open – email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or call Ashley Johnson on 0426 255 022 to reserve your place.

Alternatively, you can order tickets online 

ARCC will again be presenting strapper awards on "Epsom Super Saturday" at Royal Randwick on October 1st.

A cash prize of $50 will be awarded to the strapper of the "best paraded horse" for each of the ten races on the programme.

Judging will take place in the parade ring as the horses are paraded before each race and will take into account the presentation of horse and handler, as well as the horse handling skills of the strapper.

[Click here to see last year's winners]

Congratulations to Michael Doolan
Sydney Strapper of the Year  2010-2011

Michael (Dooley) Doolan has given a lifetime of service to the racing industry. 

He has worked at the Crown Lodge stables for over 20 years, and his vast horse knowledge and skills have been learned for such trainers such as John Lundholm, Paul Sutherland, Vic Thompson, John Hawkes and Peter Snowden.  He is a very likeable character and greets everyone with his trademark smile. 

He is always immaculately dressed and his horses are presented superbly.  He is tireless in his work and the first to offer to help out when he sees the need.  He always puts his horses' welfare first and has looked after such horses as Strategic and Freemason, along with Beltane, Retrieve and Beaded.  Not only has he strapped champions, he is a champion man himself, greatly respected by all who have worked with him.

Michael is a deserved winner of the Sydney Strapper of the Year.

(The Sydney Strapper of the Year Award is hosted by NSW Racehorse Owners Association at their prestigious Racing's Night of Champions event, sponsored by Racing NSW and coordinated by Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy)

Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy, in conjunction with Racing NSW and the NSW Racehorse Owners Association is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2011 "Strapper of the Year" award for Sydney racing.

The purpose of the award is to provide industry recognition for the contribution made by stable staff to the racing industry.

The winner will be announced at the NSW Racehorse Owners Association's annual Racing's Night of Champions on Thursday August 11, 2011.

Each strapper at four consecutive metropolitan meetings was invited to nominate up to three persons (from different stables) whom they thought suitable for the award.  Over 60 people were nominated.  These were then reduced to a short list of six using input from racing officials, trainers and track staff - a process made agonisingly difficult by the large number and high quality of equally worthy candidates.
 
The six finalists for the award are:

Michael Doolan

Michael has worked for Darley (formerly Crown Lodge) at Warwick Farm for 20 years.  Horses he has attended include Beaded, Trim and Freemason.  Michael 'Dooley' is everyone's friend.  He greets you with a smile and his vast knowledge and skill have been honed from trainers such as John Lundholm and John Hawkes.  Dooley is always immaculately dressed and is a tireless worker.

Brenna Harrison

Brenna has been with the John Thompson stable for just under two years.   She has strapped and ridden horses like Pane in the Glass and Gathering.  One of her greatest attributes is her attitude to work which is second-to-none.  Brenna's attention to detail is also exceptional and she presents herself and her horses impeccably, often wearing flowers in her hair matching the silks.

Carmen Hepburn

Carmen works at the Con Karakatsanis stable, having been there for seven years.  Carmen has been like one of the family at the stables.  She has a kind heart, a keen eye for the horses and the care she displays towards the animals cannot be matched.  She is a proud member of the Karakatsanis team and all other stable members rave about her hard working efforts

Anneliese Kamper

Anneliese has worked for the Joseph Pride camp for more than 19 months.  She has strapped Sacred Choice, Miss Marielle and Brom Brom, and is a much-valued staff member.  The effort she put in with Sacred Choice during the spring and autumn carnivals was a major reason why the mare had such success.  Anna is enthusiastic and helps keep the staff motivated and on their game.

Annette Lynch

Annette has been part of the Guy Walter team for around seven years.  She has strapped horses such as Out of Africa, Skyerush, Isola, Balmont, Delzera and Sandberg.  She is an excellent worker who loves the horses and is conscientious in ensuring their well-being.  Annette takes a deep interest in each horse's career and is a reliable and hard-working employee.

Manpreet Singh

Manpreet has been working at Graeme Rogerson's for two years.  His favourite horses are Fitness Fanatic and Balagarney, and he is a willing and reliable member of the Rogerson team.  Manpreet has a great work ethic and is very likeable character.  He is a proficient horseman and treats all of his horses with care and empathy.  Manpreet is a valued asset to the stable.

 

Congratulations to all the finalists!

ARCC again helped facilitate the Sydney Autumn Carnival Strapper Awards.  These awards were donated by the Australian Turf Club and presented to the strapper of the winning horse in the Golden Slipper at Rosehill and the Doncaster Mile at Randwick .  Congratulations to the winners: Amir Gegic (Sepoy) and Anna Kamper (Sacred Choice).

(Pictured: Anna Kamper, strapper of Sacred Choice on Doncaster Day)

(Photo courtesy of Steve White)

The Sydney Racing Fraternity Mass was held on March 13 at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, Kensington.  Conducted by Father Adrian Meaney and organised by Br Dan Stafford, the racing mass was attended by a congregation consisting of people from all parts of the racing community.

(Photos courtesy of Steve White)

The Sydney Racing Industry Golf Day was held on Monday 6th September at St Michael's Golf Course, Little Bay.  As well as being a fun day of golf, this was a major fundraising event for ARCC.

A big thank you to all who attended on the day - whether for golf or for the luncheon. 
Thank you also to Hon. Tony Stewart MP (fillng in at short notice for Kevin Greene who was indisposed due to medical reasons), our event ambassador Glyn Schofield and our MC Glenn Munsie.

The perpetual trophy for the winning team was awarded to the TAB Sportsbet team.

We especially thank our major sponsors on the day - Sky Racing, Inglis Bloodstock, Coolmore Australia and Gooree Park Wines.

Training horses is a team effort.  And an important part of that team is the stablehand (strapper) who cares for the horses day by day (walks them, swims them, feeds them, grooms them for raceday).  To help recognise the contribution of the strapper, ARCC is sponsoring trophies for the strapper of the winning horses at the feature Autumn carnival races of the STC and AJC - namely the Golden Slipper and the Doncaster Mile respectively.  It is traditional for the owner, trainer and jockey to receive trophies.  This year the strappers will receive one too.

Update:  Congratulations to Jarrod Jones, strapper of Crystal Lily in the Golden Slipper; and to Deltalwinder Singh, strapper of Rangirangdoo in the Doncaster Mile.