Growing family syndicate targeting big races

A FAMILY’S shared love for racing has flourished into a new Geelong racing syndicate that aims to bring the thrill of horse ownership to local punters.

Andrew and Jade Augustine have launched Snippets Racing Syndications and are eyeing Australia’s most lucrative racedays with their growing stable.

The Augustines each have deep family ties to the sport that has been central to important life milestones.

The couple met more than 20 years ago at Ballarat, when Andrew was president of the local young members club, and Jade worked in event promotion for Country Racing Victoria.

The family also combines extensive business acumen in their new roles; Andrew has worked senior marketing roles including most recently for APCO service stations, while Jade has managed marketing and client relations for country racing organisations and is a former board member of Geelong Racing Club.

Snippets takes its name from the star colt of Andrew’s dad’s stables, which was the first winner of Gold Coast’s Magic Millions race for two-year-olds in 1987, and solidified Andrew’s love for racing as a teenager.

“I was around 15 at the time Snippets was running around and Dad took me to all the Group 1 races it ran in. That’s what captivated me,” he said.

“While some kids idolised Allan Border, and Pat Cash or whoever, I was idolising Snippets at the time, he was my sporting hero.”

Now, the Augustines want more people to experience the highs horse ownership has to offer with their new business.

“We’re looking at sharing that passion and share the thrills and excitement of thoroughbred racehorse ownership with as many people as possible,” Andrew said.

“We understand that’s it’s extremely expensive to own a horse and train it these days because of the costs involved.

“By splitting the costs with a number of owners, say 30 or 40, it makes it very affordable and an experience everyone can enjoy without stretching the family budget too far.”

Mr Augustine said Snippets’ current customer base included long-time racing tragics right down to first-time owners that interested in tossing their hat into the owner’s ring.

The stable has grown to nine two-year-old horses following recent yearling sales, and Andrew envisions Snippets to reach “20 to 30” horses to strike a balance between growth and intimacy.

“We’re hoping to always remain fairly personal and fairly boutique,” he said.

“We want to give the owner that personalised care and provide our owners with the best service and the experience that we can get them.”

For more information and to get in touch with the Snippets team, visit their website at www.snippetsracing.com.au