The connection between a seasoned, seven-year-old brown gelding, and a group of friends who attended Assumption College in Kilmore, has an enduring story waiting to be unveiled.
For them, he is more than just a racehorse – it’s the glue that holds their “little group of five” together.
The Andrew Dale-trained horse is named Eamonn’s Memory, in honour of their long-time friend, Eamonn ”Euwie” O’Connor.
Eamonn, 19, had his life cut tragically short in 2012 after suffering horrific head and chest injuries when he fell about 25m from a window at a ski lodge at Mount Hotham.
Will Gorman, one of Eamonn’s boarding school mates, said the accident happened just after their “tight-knit group” completed Year 12 in 2011.
“We were all at boarding school together, we were great mates,” he said. “It knocked us around a hell of a lot.”
A couple of years later, the opportunity to buy into a horse came up. Frazer Dale – son of trainer Andrew Dale, a Carlton-listed footballer, and an Assumption old boy himself – introduced the idea to the group.
“Frazer put the feelers out to our friendship group and we all jumped at the opportunity,” Mr Gorman said. “The ones that wanted to buy in did.”
Frazer Dale, Mr Gorman, Nathan Jones, Georgia Miller, and Clayton Sessions joined the syndicate. They all decided to name the horse Eamonn’s Memory.
“Although he is no champion, the horse loves the country circuit and is very good around the local tracks,” Mr Gorman said. “It’s been a few years now, but he’s really starting to come good.”
The horse with the big heart and a love for racing has had recent wins in Deniliquin and Jerilderie, but his outstanding performance at the Berrigan Gold Cup was special.
In the race that stops Berrigan, Eamonn’s Memory – ridden by jockey John Kissack – lifted when it mattered, charging down the straight with his trademark grit and surging over the final 200m.
The Berrigan and District Racing Club took to their Facebook page to say there was something special about the win.
“It was the crowd, the colours and the Berrigan spirit. Eamonn’s Memory won the cup and we all know why.”
For the syndicate, it’s a powerful connection. Mr Gorman said the group, who used to get up to “plenty of mischief” playing cricket and footy, has deep ties to the area.
“We all came to mum and dad’s farm in Berrigan on the holidays and had a lot of fun,” he said.
“It’s kept our little group of five together. We don’t always get to the races but it’s a great catch-up every now and then.”
“The home-town race brought back a lot of memories from when we were younger, that’s something to hold on to for sure.”
Eamonn’s Memory has now had 14 wins and 18 placings from – 79 starts, with a lifetime career prize money of $260,175.
Words: Jac Marshall
Image: Supplied
