Success Stories
Every horse featured here is a homebred, out of mares personally owned and developed by Barb and Barry Saunders.
Their careful approach to breeding; pairing proven mares with stallions like Crackerjack King, standing at Wyndholm Park near Ballarat. Crackerjack King produced a genuine run of talent, with several of this year’s standout performers tracing back to the same broodmare band.
Al Duca
A homebred by Al Maher out of Sienna Sunrise. Al Duca, trained by Team Freedman claimed victory at Caulfield in April 2026, adding to a career built on the foundation laid at Denistoun Park.
Everain
Out of the Saunders’ own mare Every Faith, herself a stakes-placed performer, purchased by Barb at the 2012 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. Everain, by Manhattan Rain, has gone on to become a genuine winner in his own right, with four wins and over $147,000 in prize money to date.
Brave Miss
Bred from the Saunders’ own mare Kaye Club, Kaye Jay broke his maiden at Sandown Hillside in February 2026 before stepping up to place in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes and run a strong fourth in the Group 1 ATC Australian Derby at Randwick. Form good enough to see him contest the Group 1 South Australian Derby at Morphettville.
Belle Savoir
Out of the Saunders’ mare Rathsallagh, Belle Savoir delivered a dominant win at Caulfield in June 2026, winning by 3 lengths. The latest chapter in a family with deep form, following her dam’s own near-miss in the Queensland Oaks.
Life after racing
Not every story at Denistoun Park is about the racetrack. Some of our favourite moments come from watching former racehorses settle into a new chapter.
Sacred Theme
A 14-year-old bay gelding by Oratorio out of Belle Of The Bay, Sacred Theme retired from a solid racing career. 3 wins and 6 placings from 28 starts, with over $129,000 in prize money.
These days he’s found a new passion in show jumping, competing at 85cm alongside rider Tamsyn, the pair have been together for a year. Proof that a racehorse’s talent and heart can shine in more ways than one.
Paddy O’Reilly
A bay gelding by O’Reilly out of Star Of Amarissa the very mare Barbara Saunders sought out from New Zealand to anchor her broodmare band.
Paddy O’Reilly enjoyed a genuine career on the track, with 3 wins and 9 placings from 27 starts at Group 2 and Group 3 level, and over $346,000 in prize money. These days at 21 years old, he’s simply enjoying the surroundings spending his time relaxed and content in the paddock, a well-earned retirement after a career well run.