One week out from the Cheltenham Festival, Stuart Broad relives the time he fell in love with the sport of Kings.
I was a relatively late comer to the world of horse racing. Growing up, there might have been a Grand National sweepstake within the family, but that was the extent of my knowledge, and at that stage, my interest.
As I got older, I’d have friends or teammates in a changing room who would enjoy following the horses, but I never really got the bug myself.
It was during my cricket career that I got to appreciate the sport in all its glory. I was lucky enough to be an ambassador for Investec from 2012, who were also title sponsor of The Derby at Epsom.
They would always generously invite a couple of us down for the big race, where the hospitality was incredible.
But I can clearly remember when my relationship with Elysium Dream changed.
It was those trips with Investec where The Racing Cricketers & Partner syndicate was born. Eoin Morgan (someone who does know a thing or two about horses!), Jimmy Anderson (more in my camp when it comes to experience) and I set out on our journey of owning a racehorse. What started out as an idea when we were high on the buzz and thrill of a day’s racing at The Derby, became a reality.
At the start, it might be fair to say I was perhaps slightly less engaged than some of the other syndicate members. I would let Jimmy & Morgs keep me updated on most of the news and would watch the videos we would get through from Richard Hannon. Playing schedules had meant that we hadn’t by that point had a chance to go to Richard’s yard or attend a race in person.
But I can clearly remember when my relationship with Elysium Dream changed. Cricket was again central to it, as I had just finished a four-day game back in May 2017 with Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan.
My good friend and teammate Michael Lumb and I were driving back together from Cardiff after the game. Elysium Dream was running in the 6:25pm at Windsor that evening, and I think the fact she entered the race as favourite for the first time got me that little bit more engaged!
I’d been chatting to Lumby about it in the car, and we’d agreed that we would stream the race on the way home. If nothing else, it would make the journey go a bit quicker!
The WhatsApp group went wild with messages; everyone wishing they were in the Winners’ Enclosure at Windsor.
The one thing we hadn’t planned for, was that we would be in the middle of the Brecon Beacons where mobile phone signal was hard to come by. I tried all the old ‘tricks’; holding the phone up to the sky, switching it on and off, stopping as soon as we had one bar, but whatever we tried, it wasn’t enough.
Once we eventually came back into enough reception to tune in, the race had been run. And true to the bookies’ form, Ryan Moore had steered her home in front. She’d got up to win by a short head, and we’d been driving around the Brecon Beacons trying to find a bar of phone reception!
The WhatsApp group went wild with messages; everyone wishing they were in the Winners’ Enclosure at Windsor.
From that evening at Windsor, I was definitely a prouder supporter of the syndicate. I’d tell anyone who would listen about that drive back from Cardiff, including Mum! We had a great day out that summer at Royal Ascot when Elysium Dream ran during that famous meeting.
It felt like the whole pub had had some money on her winning that night!
Travelling down from Nottingham in morning suits and enjoying the day as an owner was one of the great sporting experiences I’ve had. I never thought I’d be going to Royal Ascot as an owner. It wasn’t ever on my bucket list, but I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to do it. For us that day, it was the taking part that counted! She ran well, too, finishing 5th in the Chesham Stakes.
Three months later, we were in Dublin for my old England & Nottinghamshire teammate Chris Read’s retirement party. We’d been at the Aviva Stadium to watch Leinster play Munster and were back in a Ballsbridge pub Iater that afternoon enjoying a pint or two of Guinness. Leinster had won, and the pub was full of home fans celebrating the victory over their bitter rivals.
I’d been telling our group that Elysium Dream was racing at Newmarket later that evening and had been sharing my newly found confidence in her chances with most of the pub. What started with me and a couple of the boys watching the start of the race on my iPhone in the corner, ended up being the whole pub watching on as Tom Marquand galvanised her to a famous win by a neck.
She’d gone off at around 6/1 from memory, and it felt like the whole pub had had some money on her winning that night! I celebrated with people I’d never met before, and Elysium Dream set up a famous night in Dublin!
As a syndicate, we had a good run. It’s always fun to experience these things with great friends and I have some incredible memories, from the depths of the Welsh hills & Irish pubs, through to Royal Ascot.
Heading into the Cheltenham Festival this year, I couldn’t draw on any of those memories and experiences to share any valid tips for punters. I’ll probably be backing anything with Forest in the name or jockeys wearing red and white!
For a more trusted voice, I’d see what Fitzdares’ legitimate Racing Ambassador Cornelius Lysaght has to say in the build up! I’ll keep reminiscing over those glorious days in Windsor & Newmarket!
The guys at Fitzdares have given me a £500 free bet pot to use on a selection of the major sporting events of my choice. All the profits will go to The Broad Appeal, helping raise awareness and support for Motor Neurone Disease.
After backing a couple more winners in February, here’s what I fancy in March…
£125 Liverpool @ 9/5
PSG vs Liverpool, 5th March
£125 Ireland @ 5/6
Ireland vs France, 8th March
£125 Scottie Scheffler @ 4/1
The Players Championship, 13th — 16th March
£125 Chelsea @ 7/2
Arsenal vs Chelsea, 16th March
Stuart Broad is Fitzdares’ Brand Ambassador.
