Old Gold Racing news: Mick Fitzgerald says Sean Bowen’s “a huge asset” as he invests further into syndicate ownership
Grand National–winning jockey and ITV presenter Mick Fitzgerald has taken another big step into the world of racehorse ownership by adding an exciting new recruit to the ‘Mick Fitzgerald Racing Club’ with Old Gold Racing in the shape of Jamada.
The recent Irish bumper winner will be the fourth horse to join the Mick Fitzgerald Racing Club, which has previously enjoyed success with the likes of four-time winner Paddy De Pole.
For £60 a share, people can own Jamada alongside Fitzgerald, who describes the horse as having “the kind of potential you dream about.”
Fitzgerald speaks about his aims and goals in racehorse ownership and how owning a winner is “the only thing that comes close to the buzz of riding one”, as well as praising current Champion Jockey Sean Bowen as “a huge asset” to the Olly Murphy stable where Jamada will be trained.
Mick Fitzgerald, said: “I’ve had some pretty unforgettable days in the saddle, and the buzz from riding a winner is something that every jockey chases. The only thing that comes close is owning a winner, and that’s one of the reasons why I started the Mick Fitzgerald Racing Club with Old Gold Racing. When I put my name to something, it’s got to be right!
“I really want to share what it is like to have success at some of the bigger meetings, like the Cheltenham Festival. I’d love for people to know what it feels like to have a runner in the Grand National, and I would love other people to experience that with me.
“The first time I saw Jamada, I thought: he’s athletic, strong, powerful, and he’s a proper mover. He’s got the kind of potential you dream about.”
Jamada will be under the guidance of Grade 1-winning trainer Olly Murphy, of whom Fitzgerald said: “I’ve been very impressed with Olly Murphy in that he has come a long way, and he has learnt an awful lot in the short period of time he’s been training.
“When I first spoke to Olly about the possibility of having a horse with him, he then approached me about Jamada and said, ‘Look, I think I’ve found the perfect horse for you and your racing club. I then did some homework, spoke to Patrick Mullins, who had ridden him, and I heard what I needed to hear, and it all stacked up. I then went and saw the horse, and he’s a nice type, so I’m really looking forward to getting him to the track.
On current Champion Jockey and Murphy’s regular rider, Fitzgerald said: “Sean Bowen being at Olly Murphy’s is a big draw for me. I’ve known Sean since he was a little boy, and I watched him evolve into the Champion Jockey that he is now. I think Sean Bowen has and will help to raise Olly Murphy’s profile. Having a jockey like Sean on your side is a huge asset and one that will certainly help Jamada’s journey.
“From little acorns grow mighty oaks, and that’s the way I’m looking at Jamada. Nothing is going to happen overnight, but in time, you never know where the next champion is going to come from. Hopefully, we’ve got our hands on one in Jamada. That may sound unrealistic to a lot of people, but if you don’t dream big in this game, you’re never going to get big and anyone can be a part of Jamada’s story for just £60 a share and who knows where we might end up!"
Olly Murphy, trainer of Jamada, said: “We purchased Jamada from a Cheltenham sale, after he was successful winning a bumper in Naas. He was a horse we loved; we loved the physical, and we really liked his performance as well and thought he was a horse that can win plenty of races in England.
“He’s been very straightforward, he’s summered really well, and he’s back doing a steady canter. Touch wood, his wind seems really good. He’s a free-moving horse, and I’d like to think he’ll be on the track mid to back end of September.
“I’ve been very lucky with his sire, Affinisea, and we really liked the model at the sale. Jamada’s dam was also a winner on the Flat and over hurdles, and looked like she stayed really well, which hopefully will bode well for the future.
“I think he’s the ideal horse for Mick Fitzgerald Racing Club. Being a maiden, we can start him off in a maiden/novice hurdle. I’d like to think he can go and win that and then go into handicaps over hurdles before jumping a fence in the future.”
Visit here to purchase your share in Jamada: https://new.oldgoldracing.com/horses/jamada
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