ABOUT FIRSTHOLME THOROUGHBRED MANAGEMENT...
Firstholme Thoroughbred Management Pty Ltd is a racehorse management company established in August 1987 and was the first company licensed by the Australian Securities and Invest ment Corporation to offer shares in racehorses in Queensland. Firstholme Management Services specialises in the selection of yearlings, organising ownership packages and providing on going management during the horse's racing careers.
Company founder is Tony Wonka who has had an extensive career in the racing industry. His first horse Wrecker Joe purchased from then Victorian based Ron Maund (Gold Edition fame) which won 14 races. Tony has been a committee person of Mackay Turf Club, Ipswich Turf Club, director of QRIS and vice-President of Queensland Racehorse Owners Association.
Also racing journalist with The Courier Mail
The first horse to carry the now familiar lime with black and pink hooped sleeves colours was Calgary Stampede. He went on to win won 8 races and over $100,000 in stakes for the first time owners who shared the racing dream.
"My first horse won 14 races for an outlay of $1500 back in 1980 so I was hooked from the start. Back then we were DINKS but between when I bought Wrecker to when he retired we had a mortgage plus 2 additions and only one wage. The only way was a syndicate.
"Lucky again, the first horse, bought for us by Pat Duff to syndicate Calgary Stampede won 8 races and nearly $100,000.
"Since then the Firstholme colours have raced and mostly won in all States of Australia including Tasmania. The concept is still the same, make racehorse ownership and all the thrills and spills that goes with it, affordable for everyone.
"For many years we formed syndicates of 20 shares in 1 horse then started 20 shares in 3 horses and then 1994 a syndicate in Queensland of 20 shares in 7 horses - The Magnificent Seven Syndicate - with Bruce McLachlan, it was very successful with winners like Bronsons Beat, Pregong, Polyco Al. But being restricted to a maximum of 20 shares it was becoming too expensive for the average person. But the idea of several horses vastly increased the chances of having a winner or more and in this case we had great success with many multiple winners and only 1 or 2 duds.
"The economical solution was to have more shareholders, so we could have more horses and less cost for each shareholder. But the biggest win was spreading your risk over several horses and not just 1. So I decided to change the format and form a company comprising 500 shareholders who each bought one or more shares for $1950 - the capital raised would by 7 horses, cover all racing and training costs for 2 years.
"The idea of Firstholme was to give people the chance to test the racing water, so to speak, without risking an arm and a leg in what is a very highly risky business. The shares are never over $2000 and thats for 2 years so it's less than $20 to have an interest in say a stable of 10 horses.
Between 1987 and 1999, Firstholme raced in Queensland and enjoyed great success with selected and syndicated horses winning over 200 races with some of the major winners including LUMINIA (Brisbane Hcp, Exhibition Hcp), SERDSTE (Rockhampton Cup, 2nd Toowoomba Cup, 2nd Easter Cup), BRONSON’S BEAT, (8 wins), PREGONG, POLYCO AL, STOMPING, MAUL, BEAR DECLARE, SOUL STAR, BEN RUMSON, CALGARY STAMPEDE, LIVE ON LOVE, VAIN LASS, GAME GAL, We raced a total of 46 horses of which 38 raced and 32 were winners.
In 1999, Firstholme introduced its first “multi-horse” syndicate and expanded its operation with horses racing in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide . The Firstholme Bloodstock Syndicate had 500 shareholders scattered throughout Australia who owned and raced 7 selected yearlings trained in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The only cost was the initial share of $1950.
The FIRSTHOLME BLOODSTOCK SYNDICATE raced 7 horses and every horse won races. This syndicate ran for 4 years and won 16 races
The stable included Rocccina, (4 wins), Wandane (3 wins), Hidden Honey (pictured with trainer David Hall and Brett Prebble, (2 wins), Jowles, Ianitis, Secover and Storm Sign (3 wins). This syndicate ran for 4 years and Won 16 races. Our trainer’s included Peter Moody,John Size,Bart Cummings,Colin Alderson, Pat Carey, Clarry Conners, Bob Thompson .
In 2000, the second multi-horse syndicate FIRSTHOLME RACING STABLE SYNDICATE, was formed and ran for 6 years and won 28 races.
Included Hiskins Steeple winner SISSANO, Banner Girl (2 wins), Perance (6 wins), Quintanella (4 wins), Gaza Guy (4 wins), CRYSTAL HILL (1 win), ROCOTTO (4 wins), Hillure (1 win), Pious Pearl (1 win), Highly Delighted (1 win).
All up horses raced in this syndicate won 28 races and it ran for 6 years with no added cost other than original share $1950.
In 2002 the third multi-horse syndicate - FIRSTHOLME STABLE LIMITED SYNDICATE was formed with 8 horses This syndicate ran for 5 years and won 17 races.
Including the Stakes winner SAM SUNG A SONG (Liverpool City Cup, Tatts Lightning), as well as winners like EMAIL ME (2 wins) SO SO (3 wins),
In 2004 our fourth multi-horse syndicate FIRSTHOLME ON LINE SYNDICATE and included 6 horses like ONE FOR NONE (5 wins) THRILLUS (winner), MARDEORA (winner).
We specialise in forming multiple horse racing clubs where we race a stable of horses in several States so your racing interest can be maximised.
Interested in joining one of our 2009 packages click here
