Image – Bradley Photos.
The well-known and much-loved Harden family, the Whybrows, have won a slot in the $2 million The Kosciuszko, and will race the Matthew Dunn-tained Derry Grove.
Father and son duo Jack and Chris (Zeek) Whybrow spent a combined total of $70 on the $5 tickets, and they were among the 14 lucky ticket holders announced on Friday morning.
The Whybrow family were heavily involved in the horse racing industry and trained some lovely horses over a few decades, including the well-performed Norm’s Bridle.
Jack and Zeek are very well-known across the district because they are accomplished Group 9 Rugby League footballers in their respective eras.
This has been passed on to Zeek’s sons, who currently play for the Harden Hawks in the George Tooke competition. Joie, who often plays in the centres, represented the area in this year’s George Tooke Shield side.
With the racing industry running through their veins and Jack and Zeek retaining a strong interest, Jack was planning on attending the big day regardless of whether he won a slot. Something he thought he had little chance of doing.
Zeek told journalist Matthew Stadmitmiller that he was meant to get the tickets earlier than he had and left it to the last minute before snapping them up at The Harden Country Club.
“I got them Tuesday arvo before it closed. I bought $20 a couple of weeks ago, and Dad said he wanted $50 and asked me to go and get them,” Zeek said,
“I forgot the day I was supposed to get them, and I went back the day before it closed and got $50 for Dad.
“I said to him, ‘I only bought 20 bucks’, but he said, ‘You might win it, I might win it, we will go halves’. I said, ‘Right’o, done deal’.”
The new slot holders had to move quickly, as horses were being snapped up at a great rate.
They would have loved to have got Mogo Magic, which is the $7 third favourite and undefeated; however, Goulburn ticket holder and part-owner Matt Cowley won a slot and automatically picked it up.
“The one we did settle on was a five-year-old gelding called Derry Grove; they were getting sold out by the minute, we missed out on two horses,” Zeek said.
“This one is trained by Matthew Dunn at Murwillumbah and has had nine starts for three wins and over one hundred thousand dollars in prize money.”
Zeek explained that Mogo Magic’s part-owner, Harden Picnic Racing Club President, and good friend Nathan Schofield told them about the local ticket.
“Nathan read out a number to us, and I knew we had won,” Zeek said
Both Jack and Zeek have struck a 50-50 deal with the owners, and with first prize a whopping $1 million dollars, it means that if Derry Grove, who is currently at odds of $17, wins, it will be life-changing for the pair.
Jack, who’s now retired and 72 years old, was ecstatic with winning the slot.
“I didn’t think we would do any good. There was a guy on TV who spent $15,000, and he won two slots, but we only spent $70,” Jack said.
When asked about Derry Grove, Jack remained optimistic about their chances.
“We have gone for one with a bit of value; we will see what happens, I suppose,” Jack said.
Matthew Dunn, who has two horses in the race, believes Derry Grove is a live chance, and for more on his thoughts, click here.
For more on The Kosciuszko, click here.
For markets, click here.
