Grahame Meredith and partner Anna
Photo- Tara Hughes
Graham Meredith was dealing in gold at Karaka on Monday.
The scrap metal dealer from New Plymouth realised a massive profit when his Tavistock colt (Lot 144) was bought out of the Cambridge Stud draft for $400,000.
Meredith bought the youngster's dam Zarzino for a paltry figure two years ago and since then her son Tarzino has won the Gr.1 Victoria Derby.
"She's the first horse we owned and this is the first horse we've sold," Meredith said.
"Sir Patrick (Hogan) reminded me today I paid $1200 plus gst for her, but I actually swapped some scrap and chickens.
"I bought her because my father was dying in hospital and I wanted to give him an interest.
"Then when my father died the mare was in the paddock behind us. Sir Patrick suggested we should send her back to Tavistock and she is in foal again now.
"It's all a bit of a dream really. We got excited watching Tarzino race in the spring but we never thought it could turn out like this," Meredith said. "She's the cheapest lawn mower I've ever bought."
Meredith's partner Anna has an interest in horses and rides work for New Plymouth trainer Janelle Miller.
"We thought we'd have a bit of fun with breeding, but we never thought we'd end up here on day one at Karaka," she said
"We got her a paddock mate last year, but she's the boss. The other mare had a foal by Proisir and is in foal to Ocean Park.
"Hopefully we've got a lot more in front of us. We thought he'd sell well but didn't really know." – NZ Racing Desk.
The scrap metal dealer from New Plymouth realised a massive profit when his Tavistock colt (Lot 144) was bought out of the Cambridge Stud draft for $400,000.
Meredith bought the youngster's dam Zarzino for a paltry figure two years ago and since then her son Tarzino has won the Gr.1 Victoria Derby.
"She's the first horse we owned and this is the first horse we've sold," Meredith said.
"Sir Patrick (Hogan) reminded me today I paid $1200 plus gst for her, but I actually swapped some scrap and chickens.
"I bought her because my father was dying in hospital and I wanted to give him an interest.
"Then when my father died the mare was in the paddock behind us. Sir Patrick suggested we should send her back to Tavistock and she is in foal again now.
"It's all a bit of a dream really. We got excited watching Tarzino race in the spring but we never thought it could turn out like this," Meredith said. "She's the cheapest lawn mower I've ever bought."
Meredith's partner Anna has an interest in horses and rides work for New Plymouth trainer Janelle Miller.
"We thought we'd have a bit of fun with breeding, but we never thought we'd end up here on day one at Karaka," she said
"We got her a paddock mate last year, but she's the boss. The other mare had a foal by Proisir and is in foal to Ocean Park.
"Hopefully we've got a lot more in front of us. We thought he'd sell well but didn't really know." – NZ Racing Desk.