News

After two G1 wins and $1.6m earnings, Bargain Sincero owes nothing

31st Aug 2012

Courier Mail - Nathan Exelby - Friday, 31 August 2012

IT'S the lotto-winning dream that drives the thoroughbred market - securing a cheap horse that goes on to be a champion.

Greg De Vries and the nine other owners in $1.6 million earner Sincero have been living that dream ever since they parted with $8000 at Sydney's Classic Sale three-and-a-half years ago.

Sincero, who landed his big breakthrough in the 2011 Stradbroke, returns for another bout of carnival action when he runs in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield tomorrow.

De Vries, who was invited to take a one-sixth share before the sale, is naturally hoping for more glory this spring but quickly points out, "Sincero owes us absolutely nothing", and everything from here on in is a bonus.

"He's a dual Group 1 winner, he's a magnificent animal, we love him dearly and we're very, very proud. We thank the big fellow upstairs for what we have," he said.

The Stephen Farley-trained gelding has easily been the best-backed runner in early trading and is likely to challenge for favouritism after impressing in a recent Rosehill trial win.

De Vries and his fellow owners will be at Caulfield, adorning the now familiar black and white ties which match Sincero's racing colours, hoping for some more magic.

"Before the Stradbroke I decided we should get some ties so I got some made up," De Vries said. "After that race I bought 100 caps, proudly advertising the fact we won the 2011 Stradbroke.

"I will definitely be wearing my Sincero tie in Melbourne."

Sincero was bred by Roger Gorham of Nerreman Stud, who wanted to inbreed to the great mare Best In Show and hence purchased the mare Yours Is Always specifically for the stallion Umatilla.

"He's the reason Sincero exists. He had a vision and it paid off," De Vries said.

"It was just unfortunate for Roger that no one believed in his vision and we stole the horse off him for $8000 (but) we keep him very much in the loop and he's become a very close friend."

After a failed Cox Plate mission last year, Farley has opted to bypass Sydney and head straight to Melbourne.

"Maybe we did the wrong thing 12 months ago where directly after the Epsom we put him on a float and he had a couple of hard runs," De Vries said.

Sincero ($8,000 2009 Classic, 5g Umatilla-Yours As Always)