Anne McGrath and Tears I Cry, aka Skeeta
Every so often, there are horses and humans that just bond in a very special way. Anne McGrath and Tears I Cry were one such story. As breeder and owner of ‘Skeeta’ – as he was affectionately known – McGrath’s emotional reaction to the Stakes win of her treasured horse was a viral sensation.
The gelded son of Lacryma Cristi, Tears I Cry’s family had tasted Group 1 success at Flemington previously. His dam Cassazione, was a daughter of Weekend Delight, which won the Group 1 VRC Oaks at Flemington in 1990, when trained by Bart Cummings. During his racing career, Tears I Cry also placed third in the Seymour Cup at Listed level, before another third in the Group 2 Jayco Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley.
The gelding retired in 2012 with an impressive resume, amassing over $900,000 in prizemoney and 10 wins, including popular victories in the Koroit and Woodford cups.
He transitioned into a new career as a clerk of the course’s horse at Warrnambool, which he flourished in for five years. With a strong will and attitude, he didn’t have the cool-natured temperament required for the role at first, but his devoted owner never gave up, and her faith ultimately paid off. McGrath was a clerk of the course herself, even fulfilling the duties when she could while battling an aggressive form of breast cancer. Tears I Cry was instrumental in her recovery, with McGrath telling media that riding him through the bush around her Orford property brightened her outlook during the 12-month treatment process.
In 2018, Tears I Cry sadly and unexpectedly passed away at the age of 15. McGrath was heartbroken, but thankful for the “hell of a ride” that the horse gave her and her family.
Ciaron Maher
As a young man Maher had designs on a career in the saddle. As a jumps jockey he had skill in the saddle and a fiery will to compete, but ultimately, he grew too big to pursue life as a rider.
Initial disappointment turned to opportunity, and it was as a trainer that Maher made a near immediate impact, introducing himself to the world in the best possible way when $101 shot Tears I Cry won the 2007 Group 1 Cantala Stakes.
With just a handful of horses in work on the family dairy property at Winslow near Warrnambool, many would have written the result off as a fluke and few racing fans could have predicted Maher’s meteoric rise to the top. Now, of course, he along with Dave Eustace is the head of one of the most successful stables in Australia, with more than 30 Group 1 wins, including a Cox Plate, a Caulfield Cup and of course, a Lexus Melbourne Cup.
