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Classique Legend’s Yearling Purchaser And Groom, Has Always Loved Grey Horses And Ironically Her contender Rising Star Contender Is A Grey
Classique Legend trumped many Everest contenders and possible, showing a stunning turn of foot Gr.2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick.
Carmel Size, racing manager to Mr. Bon Ho, discovered an extraordinary yearling at the Inglis Classic Sale (2017) that she ‘just had to have’. Bred by Tyreel Stud, the Not A Single Doubt yearling was knocked own to Size, for A$400,000 in the first Inglis Gold Ribband session. Carmel Size speaks to Everest Diaries about their Everest slot and their extraordinary contender:
Q: What were criteria that led you to believe that Classique Legend is the right horse to win 2020 The Everest trophy?
A: Mr. Ho and I purchased the Slot in the hope that Classique Legend could make that natural improvement. I believe that we are on track to have a chance to be among the prizemoney earners in what has become one of the most exciting races in the world. We knew that in 2019 he was still maturing but I know that as a seasoned 5YO in this year’s edition of The Everest,
he will be right up to the mark.
Q: What were the criteria that led you to believe that Classique Legend is the right horse to win the 2020 Everest?
A: Mr. Ho and I shared the 2019 slot. The excitement of the event inspired Mr. Ho to seek a deal, to purchase his own Slot for Everest for
the next three years. Classique Legend’s performance in 2019, as an under-seasoned horse was more than courageous. He was unlucky in the race, missing a run at a vital stage. We knew that with an ounce of luck he would have finished closer to the winner. Knowing, Classique Legend still had maturity and improvement to come, h was the obvious choice to represent Mr. Ho, in this year’s race. Classique Legend definitely has unfinished business in the Everest, which he’s primed to address.
Q: Could you tell us how you got involved with horses? If was not for horses, what would have been the next best career for you?
A: My father is the Hall of Fame Trainer, Neville Begg. At the age of about 5, I was absolutely fascinated with these majestic animals but I was clueless about racing. However, whenever the opportunity arose, I just wanted to follow dad
around the stables. My parents wonderfully took us to the races from a young age, and my earliest memories are watching races opposite the winning post always cheering the ‘grey' horses on
whoever's stable they were from. I've been horse obsessed for 50 years, continuing to learn new things every day and never had any other thoughts about anything but a career that didn't
involve horses.
Q: The decade is almost over. In addition to winning The Everest, what is on your bucket list of things to do before 2030?
A: I'm not a bucket list person, I look forward to each day along with the challenges it can toss-up. No two days are the same. I desire to continue to be involved with horses until the day I drop, and if I can mentor or encourage anyone along the way to be the best they can, then that will satisfy me.