The wonderful story of three friends who are using miRunners to reunite at the track for the first time in 30 years.
Annie Harvey, Jane O’Shea and Claire Cooksey were childhood friends whose strong bonds have stood the test of time.
Riding trackwork and strapping for trainers in the 70’s, the three Melbourne girls grew up together on the track and forged friendships that have lasted a lifetime and even survived the tyranny of distance.
Now, 45 years on from first meeting and 30 years on from the last time they were at the racetrack together, the three best friends are getting together and experiencing another side of the racing industry: ownership!
RECENT NEWS: Racehorse Ownership at Cost Price with miRunners
The friendship trio was first formed in the 70’s as the girls met through school and family friends but it was on the track where they truly realised their common connections.
Jane was a strapper for Jamie Scott at Caulfield, Claire was a strapper for Len Quilty at Yarra Glen and Annie strapped for both Scott and Quilty! Memories of the trio growing up together forged the strongest of friendships – which kept them together even when Annie moved to Brisbane in 1980.
Experiences with horses such as Moonee Valley specialists Love & Leave and Toroa changed their lives and grew their love of horses and racing – but ownership in the same horse was something they always thought was unattainable.
“I’ve always been interested in horses and I wanted to buy a racehorse or a share in a racehorse for my 30th wedding anniversary, so when we saw Francesca Camani talking about miRunners it led to me purchasing a unit in Shezawitness,’ said Annie.
“After purchasing a unit, I spoke to Claire and she said she’ll jump in with me and then we got onto Jane and decided that the three of us would get in together. Incredibly, Mick Price is married to the daughter of Len Quilty: who we worked for in the 70’s.
“With the three of us involved in the same horse again it’s just like the circle has gone all the way around – 30 years later!”
The ownership experience has been a catalyst for Annie, Jane and Claire to converse more as they’ve found themselves using miRunners as an excuse to catch-up more and more. Everything is better with friends and this experience is only going to continue bringing the three together with the trio already planning to meet-up for Shezawitness’ race days.
“miRunners has given every person an equal opportunity to be involved in the racing industry: inviting everyone from all walks of life to join together and experience the thrill of ownership,” said Annie.
FREE EVENT: Get up close with our thoroughbreds on Sunday 20 May
“For me personally miRunners has opened a door of opportunity to own a share in a racehorse that otherwise may not have been possible.”
If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing with friends. With ownership at only $275 (plus $25 a month), it really is something you can do with your family and friends.
