During an inquiry into the ride, it was revealed the owner’s instructions, via text message, were shared with the jockey and Eustace told stewards; “I think the terminology used was (to lead by a) ‘big space’.”
It was revealed that the stable’s head of owner relations, Gabrielle Nutt showed Bayliss a text message that he described as having “about six different chapters to it” from the mare’s part-owner Tony Ottobre.
“It was to lead by a big space and get on my bike from the 800m,” Bayliss told stewards. “I was bamboozled by it.”
Eustace conceded, “If it was up to us she’d have been ridden to lead but not in that way”.
“I understand the situation doesn’t look good,” Eustace told stewards.
Those who are criticizing owner Tony Ottobre’s instructions to Regan Bayliss on how to ride his mare Pride of Jenni in the Coolmore at Randwick on the weekend need to shut their mouths and take a real deep breath.
It’s Ottobre’s horse and he bought her with his own money. The same hard earned cash that he pays the training fees with, and that he shares with the jockeys and trainers of his horses when they collect prizemoney. He has every right to say how he wants his horse ridden. If he is wrong he is wrong, but it’s no-one’s place to say it’s not his privilege or his right to make the call.
The fault here lies with the trainers Maher and Eustace, the ones who are trying to buck shove it Ottobre’s way.
It is the trainers responsibility to advise the Stewards of a planned change of tactics, not the owner’s.
They didn’t do it.
It is on their heads.
The criticism of Ottobre’s instructions is on the head of the critics too.
Do they know the back story of this mare?
Do you?
Well read 0n below, and you will, and you will also understand why sometimes it’s better to think before you talk.
Sometimes like this.
Feel guilty?
You should.
Ottobre Dreaming of Jennis Rainbow at Caulfield
A passion that began over 45 years ago for Tony Ottobre has developed into his life’s purpose amidst one of the most tragic events that a family ever has to endure.
By his own admission, Tony Ottobre “wasn’t a very good jockey”. The former apprentice estimates that his best finish in a race would have been a third placing before he eventually hung up the saddle in the mid 1970’s when his weight struggle became too much.
Tony shifted his focus to working as a strapper and a horse breaker for the great Colin Hayes at Angaston in South Australia, intent to still maintain his connection with horses.
“I certainly enjoyed my time with Colin Hayes,” Tony said.
“It was a bit of fun and I really, really enjoyed the atmosphere and especially working with the horses.”
The job came with its fair share of danger, most that involve working with horses do. Tony recalls an incident in which one of Colin’s yearlings put him through a running rail and left him in hospital for three months.
Yet for Tony and the Ottobres, no amount of physical pain could compare to the pain of losing their beloved daughter Jennifer to cancer in 2015.
“Our family was devastated, my wife Lynn and my son Michael,” Tony said.
“As a parent that has lost a child, I truly feel for other parents who have lost theirs.”
Jennifer was a fighter, when first diagnosed the doctors gave her between nine and twelve months to live, she defied that estimate to live another four years and four months. She married her husband Luke seven months before passing away, a special day for the entire family.
“The one thing that I found comforting amidst the tragedy was heading to the stables and touching and interacting with the horses,” Tony said.
Tony had first caught the ownership bug thanks to a horse called Dantone’s Princess, a galloper of modest ability but one which paved the way for two further purchases; Black Bart and Where’s The Bar. Their success saw Tony head over to New Zealand to purchase Jennio, a horse of enormous ability whose career was hampered by throat issues.
The following year, another filly by Jennio’s dam Espurante piqued Tony’s interest up at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
“That horse was Jennifer Lynn, she was our first stakes winner,” Tony said.
The Ottobres had travelled all over the world and left no stone unturned before losing Jennifer in 2015. That win of Jennifer Lynn on Melbourne Cup Day in 2016 was an emotional one for the family.
“It was an absolutely incredible feeling. There was a big rainbow that day and Lynn believes that Jennifer was riding her,” Tony said.
Jennifer Lynn would swap Tony’s Richmond-inspired silks for Jennifer’s sky blue and purple diamonds. All the family’s good horses now carry those colours, as well as Jennifer’s name, a tribute which Tony says provides “hope and comfort”.
Princess Jenni has carried Jennifer’s name wonderfully. The Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) winner is described by Tony as “one of those really special horses” and it appears that there’s plenty more to come this spring.
“It’s what dreams are made of,” Tony said. “Just to be involved is what we are grateful for.
To have horses good enough to carry our daughter’s name and run in these races, it’s a privilege.
Their two properties at Cape Shank are littered with homebreds. Among them is Tony’s favourite, a filly by Starspangledbanner out of none other than Jennifer Lynn who cuddles up to him in the paddock.
“Those horses and the feelings that we’ve got toward them have given us a lot of the joy and comfort that we need,” Tony said.
It’s clear that the memory of Jennifer Ottobre is in safe hands.
https://mrc.racing.com/news/2020-10-06/ottobre-dreaming-of-jennis-rainbow-at-caulfield