Edge Thoroughbreds enjoying a successful entry into the tough thoroughbred syndication market…
In just a short amount of time in operation, Edge Thoroughbreds is making its impression felt in the ultra-competitive thoroughbred syndication market.
Adam Dobbin
WHEN Brendan Nelson brought Edge Thoroughbreds to life at the end of last year he did so believing he’d identified a genuine space in the syndication market.
“We wanted to enter the market with a slightly different approach to what’s out there,” Nelson said.
“Having raced horses for about 10 years with some wonderful syndicators I thought there was an opportunity to create ownership entry at a price point much lower than the majority of syndicators.
“And that’s by no means saying there is anything wrong with how they go about their businesses.
“But with the top end well catered for as well as the micro-ownership model out there, we wanted to create an entry level where you had some skin in the game but without it costing the world.
“We’ve established the brand on three key pillars: transparency, trust and performance. All three are hugely important to us.”
When Nelson, a town planner for three decades, set Edge Thoroughbreds in motion he knew he had to secure a head trainer to underpin the operation.
Thankfully the ideal person was a mere 20 minutes up the road in the shape of leading Murwillumbah mentor Matt Dunn.
“I just gave Matt a call one day asking if I could come meet with him and it went from there,” Nelson said.
“Matt’s results speak for themselves and his ability to extract the best performances from the horses he trains is right up there.
“Our ambitions aligned a lot with his and it’s been a great start to the partnership. Matt Dunn the person is just as important to us as Matt Dunn the trainer.
“His success at both a provincial and metropolitan level was a big attraction.”
Last Saturday at Eagle Farm the evolving combination continued the terrific start to their partnership with bargain buy Godfather finishing second at Eagle Farm, three weeks after scoring at Ipswich.
The former $1.1 million yearling, purchased for just $55,000, has quickly become the flag bearer for Edge Thoroughbreds and his new group of owners.
“When we set up the business we were really keen to get a horse with a bit of a name and that’s Godfather,” Nelson added.
“To get him for $55,000 was a great result. I wouldn’t have gone much higher but he’s a great endorsement for what we are trying to achieve.
“We felt if he was gelded and given a freshen at a new stable he could be a good horse, so that’s exactly what we did.
“Like with all our purchases we are very stringent on how we go about it. Price, pedigree, conformation … it all comes into it.
“With everything we do there’s a reason behind it.”
Boasting four wins from their first eight runners, word about Edge Thoroughbreds is catching on rapidly, including on an international scale.
“We have owners of Godfather in Spain, Dubai, New Zealand and even two in America,” Nelson added.
“And we’ve got a horse we’re currently syndicating named Pierre Cardinnigan that has an owner in Papua New Guinea. The interest on an international scale so early has caught us by surprise.”
Less than a year into operations, Brendan Nelson and partner Briana Cicchelli harbour quite ambitious goals for Edge Thoroughbreds.
“We plan to grow but will do so at a pace that the market wants us to,” Nelson added.
“But it’s important we maintain things at a level which allows us to ensure the experience is an enjoyable and hopefully profitable one for our customers.
“I’m really big on the pedigree analysis and as well as acquiring tried horses and some unraced horses we’ve also branched into the breeding side as well.
“We’ve got 17 horses on the books now so we’ve come a long way in a short amount of time.”
Originally published as Edge Thoroughbreds enjoying a successful entry into the tough thoroughbred syndication market