Raceclubs.com: Championship winner tells us what they enjoy most on Raceclubs.com besides just winning money!

Challenge Series Interview with Bonnybrook Farm

What sparked your interest in Virtual horse racing?
I chanced on the RC website one day and thought it might be fun to try…

What do you look forward to most when playing on Virtual horse racing?
Watching races. I like the enhanced viewer with its various view options and sometimes even watch a whole race in slow motion. That enhances the tension, but also has a relaxing beauty to it. Good with a long drink.

How does playing on Virtual horse racing compare to real horse racing?
There are fewer variables in virtual racing but in broad terms it’s similar, with horses of varying quality and characteristics, and trainers dealt a hand and responding with more or less skill. Just as in real racing, some of them are wealthy enough to absorb the cost of bad luck or judgments and others not.

Tell us about your first winner and your other top horses.
My first winner and only horse for several months was Frangipani Mist, who won her second race. Along with helpful people on the forums, FM taught me the game. When I felt I knew enough, I bought a second horse and since then I’ve usually had around ten, give or take a few, buying from the ring at a slow rate with credits. Keep on like that and good ones will come along. My top three at time of writing have been Runaway Nun, who was just short of challenge class, Fleet Signal (see below) and Sweet Mischief (ditto).

Tell us about your best win and why it meant so much.
The best was Sweet Mischief’s win in the March 2011 Oaks. I admit to having been lucky. She had her preferred dry track and Charlie was aboard, but it was a case of a very smart horse able to take her chance.

List some of your top achievements.
My main achievement is probably to have resisted the allure of spending big and fast in the sales ring. That’s not my style. A second achievement --- probably related to the first --- is to be on the profit side of the ledger (for now anyway, and the Oaks certainly helped!).

What do you typically do before a big race?
Imagine various scenarios and hope for the best.

Tell us about your most memorable moments on Virtual horse racing.
Apart from the Oaks win, I recall many races of Fleet Signal, probably the best horse I’ve had on site. He finished fifth in a Nunthorpe Final with Yasmin Chua and fifth again in a Newbury Final. Eventually won a first consolation but deserved a share of glory.

What are your goals for your future racing on Virtual horse racing?
To contribute by suggestions when I can.

What advice would you give to new Virtual horse racing members?
Be patient, learn from the forums and treat the sales ring as you would treat a lottery.

Name the best horse, in your opinion, belonging to a fellow member.
Hmm… Not sure…

What is your favourite real horse racing event?
I love the emotion around the Melbourne Cup and the Kentucky Derby (though I’ve never been to either). Of events I’ve been to, I love the Japanese G1 races.

Are you involved in real horse racing and if so in what capacity?
I’m not directly involved. My Dad had a share in a minor winner in New Zealand.

What are your goals for the future of your stable?
To continue in the same way.

Bonnybrook Farm

Wins 205

Mon, Apr 11, 2011 - 1:20

Date Joined:	Sat, Jul 2, 2005
Top Horse (Earnings):	Sweet Mischief - £1,788.04
Top Horse (Wins):	Runaway Nun - 23
Last Stable Win:	Sat, Apr 9, 2011 - 17:36