Michael Ward to leave Everest-winning syndicators Triple Crown
Michael Ward, one half of the sibling duo behind dual The Everest (1200m)-winning syndicators Triple Crown, is to leave the business after 18 years, it was announced yesterday.
Ward, who joined the Sydney-based operation as co-director three years after his brother Chris established it in 2003, told ANZ Bloodstock News he will be “seeking a new challenge”, one which he is yet to establish.
With Ward set to leave on October 1, his position as co-director and shareholder in Triple Crown will be assumed by Sam Manion, a school friend of the Wards and the great grandson of former director of Sydney Turf Club director Newman Manion, who since the end of 2022, has held the role of racing manager with the syndicators.
“The opportunity [to take on other challenges] came about, and I’m always open to a new challenge, it’s not the first time I’ve done that in my life,” Michael Ward said.
“With racing, it’s a seven-day-a-week-type job, so I’ll have a little break, smell the roses, and take on the next challenge, which is exciting. There’s nothing set whatsoever at this moment, so I’ll take the next couple of months to charter a path forward.”
The all-red silks synonymous with Triple Crown have been carried to five Group 1 wins among 41 successes at Group level, but the most famous of the Ward brothers’ triumphs came courtesy of back-to-back wins for the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Redzel (Snitzel) in the first two editions of the rich slot holder race The Everest in 2017 and 2018.
Redzel, who earned more than $16 million in a lucrative racing career, also claimed Group 1 wins in the Doomben 10,000 (Gr 1, 1200m) and Darley Classic (Gr 1, 1200m), after his purchase by the Ward brothers for $120,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Other notable horses sourced by Chris and Michael Ward include 2014 ATC Sires’ Produce (Gr 1, 1400m) winner Peggy Jean (Myboycharlie) and 2015 BTC Cup (Gr 1, 1200m) scorer Hot Snitzel (Snitzel), as well as last year’s Doomben 10,000 winner Mazu (Maurice), who will contest this year’s The Everest at Randwick on October 14, aiming to better his third-placed finish from a year ago.
Reflecting on his career with Triple Crown, Ward said: “Providing the opportunity to so many owners to experience winning results on some of the biggest racedays on the calendar, that’s probably the most enjoyable thing.
“Obviously, The Everest wins are very memorable. Those first Everest racedays really shook up racing and had a major impact on it. But there’s so many Group race wins that we’ve had, from horses like Charlie Boy, Dothraki, Hot Snitzel, Peggy Jean and more recently with the likes of Revolutionary Miss, each win is special, to be honest, it really doesn’t matter if it’s at the top end or lower down.”
Ward, who has a background in finance before joining Triple Crown, said ‘his love for the sport’ will see him never too far away from racing in the future, but did not confirm whether he would seek to remain in the industry.
Chris Ward, who will, alongside the incoming Manion, continue to hold a 50 per cent shareholding in the ownership of Triple Crown, attributed much of the businesses success to to his brother’s contribution and looked forward to his ‘great mate’ and former financial services worker Manion stepping up into the role of co-director.
“Mike and I have shared an amazing journey with Triple Crown and just had so much fun working together,” Chris Ward said.
“Sam has become an irreplaceable part of Triple Crown since joining our team. He has 20 years of operational expertise and experience in customer relationship management, so our owners will continue to be in great hands.
“We have some exciting plans to grow and diversify Triple Crown, which I’m looking forward to.”
Manion, who is from a family with a rich racing history, and also hails from a financial services background, said the opportunity was ‘a dream come true’.
“We’re a passionate racing family and to incorporate my love for the industry into my work every day is a huge blessing,” he said.
“I’m excited to add to Triple Crown’s huge success with plans to further enhance the ownership experience for current and future owners.”