Kiwi Syndicator inspired by Sydney success

A breakthrough victory at Rosehill last Saturday has marked another significant milestone for New Zealand syndicator Inspire Racing, with Hello Youmzain mare Attractiveness providing the operation with its first winner in Sydney.

Prepared by Richard and Will Freedman, Attractiveness scored in impressive fashion and delivered a special result for Inspire Racing founder Matthew Corban, who previously lived and worked in New South Wales.

“It was a bit of a full circle moment,” Corban said.

“I worked in racing in New South Wales some time ago and lived in Sydney, so I've got quite an attachment to Sydney. I love the place, particularly Rosehill and Randwick.”

Attractiveness was the first yearling Corban purchased under the Inspire Racing banner after catching his eye at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2023 National Yearling Sale.

“I had no plans that year to buy too many Book 1 horses, but I remember seeing her at Blandford Lodge and thinking, ‘Wow, she's bloody stunning.’

“I just assumed she'd be far too much money, especially at the budget I had at the time.

“I think her reserve was around $150,000. Then she passed in and Will messaged me saying, ‘You liked Lot 132 didn't you, should we go have a crack at it?’ Then we managed to negotiate a deal and got it done.”

Attractiveness was Inspire Racing's most expensive purchase until Corban secured an Alabama Express yearling earlier this year for A120,000.

“Will's been a great mate for close to a decade and we always wanted to race a horse together and we plan on having a couple more in the stable,” Corban said.

Freedman's patience with Attractiveness is now beginning to pay dividends.

“Will's been saying she's been stakes class all along, but initially she wasn't mentally there and her body was still catching up with her,” Corban said.

“When we originally purchased her we thought she would be more of a 2000m horse, and I think she is starting to shape up that way now.”

Attractiveness is set to have one more start in a Benchmark 78 Fillies and Mares contest at Randwick before heading for a spell, with the Gr.3 Epona Stakes (1900m) on Golden Slipper Day a potential autumn target.

Corban's involvement in bloodstock predates Inspire Racing, having raced Carbonados alongside his brothers before the gelding was sold to Lindsay Park after winning for Allan Sharrock.

“He won his only start with Allan Sharrock and then he was sold to Lindsay Park, and he's now the winner of seven races. He also won at Rosehill last weekend, which was great to see.

“I originally thought I was going to work in racing administration. However, things didn't really align as fast as I would have liked, so I decided to kickstart my own thing and that's when I started Inspire Racing.”

The son of long-time Cambridge Stud manager Marcus Corban, who is now the bloodstock manager at Te Akau Racing, Matthew Corban purchased his first horses at the 2023 Ready to Run Sale before expanding through the yearling sales. Inspire Racing now has close to 10 three-year-olds in work alongside its older horses.

Another success story has been Cruiserweight, whose sale to Lindsay Park after his debut New Plymouth victory when named Opetaia highlighted the commercial opportunities available to owners.

“We always viewed him as a trade horse,” Corban said. “I was kind of hoping that we would get another start or two after his win at New Plymouth.

“But JD Hayes was pretty keen on him after he won two trials. As soon as the horse breezed past the post at New Plymouth, he was straight on the phone to me.

“The ownership group got a good sum and there's always a risk if he did go one or two more runs before selling.”

As the team continues to grow, Corban believes finding the right trainer for each horse is just as important as buying the right horse.

“I've already got quite a lot of horses with Allan Sharrock, but he's got a more modest-sized stable so I can only have so many with Allan. But I would have a lot more with him if I were able to,” he said.

“Sam Bergeson is a really good up-and-coming trainer and has great people around him in Mark Walker, along with my Dad, so that was an obvious match to send horses to Te Akau.

“It just depends on the horse and what their strengths are. The Profondo we purchased, I view him as more of a spring three-year-old staying type. In New Zealand it's limited for staying types in the spring, so he was an easy horse to send to Sydney.

“I think the Sword Of State two-year-olds we have are potential Karaka Millions types, so it's beneficial to keep them in New Zealand.”

Corban hopes to continue growing Inspire Racing while giving owners the opportunity to compete on New Zealand's biggest racedays.

“I'd really love to have a presence on Karaka Millions night or on Champions Day at Ellerslie,” Corban said.

“I do want to keep supporting younger trainers. I think there are some good young trainers rising through the ranks in New Zealand. Someone like Benji King, who has had a super season. If I get the opportunity, I would love to spread my horses around.

“I'm just really looking forward to being back at the races again with a good group of owners.

“It never gets old. It doesn't matter whether it's midweek at Hawera or a Saturday meeting at Rosehill, it's always enjoyable.”