Thursday 4th June 2015
Marissa Dimarco, the owner of Bathurst Gold Crown winner Shadow Runner has knocked back a six figure offer for the two year old gelding. Shadow Runner finished first past the post in a heat of the Pepper Tree Farm NSW Breeders Challenge on Tuesday afternoon but was relegated to second after a protest by the connections of Match In Heaven was upheld by the stewards.
Marissa admitted it had been a challenging week and to receive such a tempting offer made it even more stressful.
“It was disappointing for us to lose the race on protest but I knew it was going to be a problem when I saw the race on replay, Shadow Runner moved up the track quite a bit,” said Ms Dimarco.
“Then to get a phone call from Dad (Sam, Shadow Runner’s trainer) to say that someone had made an initial offer of $100,000 but was happy to negotiate a higher figure was quite a strange feeling.”
Sam Dimarco insisted his daughter consider the substantial offer but it didn’t take the law firm partner long to make up her mind.
“I can’t sell Shadow Runner, he has been a very special horse for my family and I couldn’t bring myself to sell him, he’s not for sale.
“Dad said with that sort of money I could go out and buy another yearling but it isn’t about the money for me, the horses are my hobby.”
Shadow Runner has qualified for the semi finals of NSW Breeders Challenge on Saturday June 13.
“There are some very nice horses in the series and Our Waikiki Beach looks the standout but it is nice to have a runner competing in the semi finals and hopefully he can get through to the final.
“I made the trip down to Menangle from Newcastle for the heat on Tuesday and I will be there to watch the semi finals too.”
Marissa is confident her father can straighten out Shadow Runner before his next start.
“Dad is working hard to correct him, he never runs out in track work but it is something he did do as a younger horse, I’m sure Dad will have him right.
“Shadow Runner will go for a spell after he finishes his Breeders Challenge campaign and will have a good break before returning for his three year old season.”
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 31 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.