This month we learn about one of Delbridge Racing’s long time owners, Mike Morton, pictured with wife, Jaye and children, Indiana, Jack and Cooper.
Name: Mike Morton
Occupation: Managing Director – Stoke Furniture
Place of residence: Burwood in Melbourne
Horses Past and Current: Shamoline Warrior, Petty Heartbreaker, Pakari Toa, Great Player, Art & Whiskey, Lonhcosta, Great DeHere, O’Reilly-LaVictorie unraced 2yo filly, Honorary owner of Mid Summer Music…….long story (see below)…..
AFL/NRL or favourite sports team: Geelong
Interests: Family Sports / Horse Racing / Water Skiing / Snow Skiing / AFL Football / Fitness
Family: Beautiful Wife – Jaye, My Gorgeous Daughter – Indiana & Two Strapping Young Sons – Jack & Cooper
Prediction for 2013: Pakari Toa to come back from injury and be a successful Melbourne Spring horse
Best Horse: Shamoline Warrior – would love another like him
Favourite horses: Pakari Toa as feel he could surprise if sound!
Mid Summer Music – with friends being part owners in her we would sometimes attend race meetings as “honorary owners” and she was such an honest performer with many wins. She did win the GR 1 Stradbroke Handicap in 2012 which was a highlight.
Favourite Racing Story: I love the “First Time Owner” racing stories. Shamoline Warrior was my first horse and barring bad luck and injury could have been a champion. My business partner’s first horse is Great DeHere which has had a first up provincial win and a city placing. Mid Summer Music was the second horse for my friends and won $1.4m in three seasons. If I know there are some “First Time” owners in some of my horses then I feel even more optimistic……
Best Win Horse/Punt: First 4 in the 2010 Stradbroke Handicap – a $60 bet for a $6940 win….hasn’t happened since..
Racing Dream: To be part of a Group 1 winning horse
Why Delbridge Racing?:
For a number of reasons :-
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I like and trust the model that Mark brings which starts with Mark and either a bloodstock agent or the trainer purchasing the horse from the sales
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If the trainer purchases the horse with Mark I also like that they then train the horse – greater incentive to be successful to ensure future business
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After a “taste” of success with Shamoline Warrior using the above methods – I do want more!
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I like the trainers that Mark is involved with. Mark Kavanagh is obviously successful, Grant Craven is a ripper bloke and underrated trainer who is overdue for success and Jason Warren also knows what he is doing! All of them have obvious respect for Mark and the syndicate members which is important, especially as I am known to ask the silly questions….
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Mark & Linda Leo and the other syndicate members in my horses are great people and make attending the races really enjoyable.