It’s with a heavy heart that we inform you all of the passing of one of our longest serving owners, Chris Boyd.
Chris had been a significant supporter of PROVEN THOROUGHBREDS, indeed one of our earliest owners through a number of ups and downs on the track.
Horses like SIR MOMENTS (pictured), SESAR and RECKLESS CHOICE carried the Boyd ownership stamp along with dozens of others less memorable. His enthusiasm for the sport was infectious but despite a charming, happy go lucky attitude to winning and losing, Chris grappled with inner demons throughout his life. Ultimately his personal pain became too big a hurdle to overcome.
Chris’s death is another chilling reminder of the mortal danger of contemporary depression and how camouflaged the depth of mental illness can be. Our thoughts are with his wife Margie and sons Matthew and Thomas at this impossibly sad time.
As a mark of respect and to acknowledge Chris’s contribution to us and ownership in general, all jockeys aboard PROVEN runners this week will wear black armbands.
Upcoming Proven Thoroughbreds runners:
Doomben Wednesday April 3:
BM65 1650m/Class 3 1350m
Steve O’Dea/Boris Thornton
Comment: Flopped in heavy conditions last start. Doesn’t win out of turn but sure to improve on a drier track.
Class 1 2060m
Steve O’Dea/Ronnie Stewart
Comment: Was unlucky not to finish closer last time out in Saturday grade. Will stay all day but has drawn awkwardly.
Randwick-Kensington Wednesday April 3:
BM78 1300m
Joe Pride/Robbie Dolan
Comment: Resumes from a let-up after trialling well at Warwick Farm last week. If the track keeps improving and the tempo is genuine, he’s a chance.
Sunshine Coast Friday April 5
Maiden 1200m
Steve O’Dea/Ronnie Stewart
Comment: Excellent trial leading into this. Though bred to get much further, will take some beating in this class fresh.
Kembla Grange Saturday April 6
Maiden 1200m/Canberra Friday
Joe Pride/TBA
Comment: Debutante who has shown positive signs at the trials. Can figure.
Class 2 1600m
John Bateman/Bobby El-Issa
Comment: Got too far back last start and never looked likely. The run was indicative of a horse looking for a mile. Gets that here.
BM64 2000m
John Bateman/Jean Van Overmeire
Comment: Couldn’t stretch out in heavy conditions last time but form prior was excellent. Can certainly bounce back up in distance on firmer going.
Toowoomba Saturday April 6
Weetwood Handicap 1200m
Steve O’Dea/Ronnie Stewart
Comment: Beat all bar stablemate COOL SEQUENCE last start when a month between runs. Will be cherry ripe for this.
Class 6 1100m
Steve O’Dea/Baylee Nothdurft
Comment: Toughed it out in front last start to record back to back Saturday wins. In career best form so hard to knock.
BM80 1625m
Steve O’Dea/Ronnie Stewart
Comment: Suffered interference mid-race before motoring home into third a fortnight ago. With even luck she should be in the finish again.
BM75 1300m
Steve O’Dea/Ronnie Stewart
Comment: Scratched last Saturday due to the wet track. Can run well fresh on drier ground but best form is at 1400m.
Sunshine Coast Sunday April 7
2YO Maiden 1000m
Steve O’Dea/Ronnie Stewart
Comment: Promising 2yo who has trialled well in lead up to this. Can go a bit keen but has plenty of natural ability so should be figuring prominently here.