Hear from racing personalities and well-known industry guests as they bring their passion and stories to the stage for a night not to be missed.
Our guests for the evening will be jockey Mark Zahra, back-to-back winner of the 2022 and 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup, and trainer Sam Freedman, also celebrating his 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup victory with Without a Fight. Also joining us will be Karyn Fenton-Ellis NZMN and television broadcaster and co-director of Te Akau Racing.
Members and guests will also hear the latest VRC news from Chairman, Neil Wilson, and CEO, Steve Rosich, and will be invited to engage with the team in a live Q&A. Plus, there will be live entertainment and fabulous door prizes up for grabs on the night.
The evening includes two complimentary beverages and a delicious light supper, which will be served from the beginning of the event. Additional drinks can be purchased from the bar.
EVENT DETAILS:
DATE: Thursday 14 March 2024
TIME: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
LOCATION: The Atrium in The Grandstand, Flemington Racecourse
PRICE: This is a FREE event, but registrations are essential
BOOKINGS: 2 places available per member
DRESS CODE: Smart casual
Mark Zahra needs no introduction and is without doubt one of Australia’s best jockeys. Having won the Lexus Melbourne Cup in 2022 aboard Gold Trip, he once again dominated the field in 2023 aboard Without a Fight winning The Caulfield and Lexus Melbourne Cup – breaking the 22 year drought of these back to back G1 wins. Since the start of his career Mark has ridden 1,359 wins including 28 G1’s.
Sam is the youngest son of Anthony Freedman. He has grown up around the stable and has a strong passion for the horse racing industry. Sam travelled to England and spent two years working for leading European trainer Roger Varian where he was fortunate to work closely with leading international galloper Postponed as well as other Group 1 winners. Sam joined his father in a training partnership at the beginning of the 2020/21 racing season and celebrated his Melbourne Cup win in 2023 with Without a Fight.
Karyn is an accomplished businesswoman, media, and marketing professional who has forged a long and successful career in corporate communications and public broadcasting. She is a former World President of Jaycees International (JCI) and winner of the World Public Speaking Contest. Alongside her husband David Ellis CNZM, Karyn owns and manages one of New Zealand’s most successful thoroughbred racing operations Te Akau Stud and Te Akau Racing - with stables in New Zealand, Cranbourne and Singapore.
