Newton’s Rings

The Club has a unique characteristic. It may appear to be irreverent, but one of its members is a thoroughbred racehorse named Newton’s Rings who joined in 2005 with the classification of “Fundraiser Extraordinaire”.

Now how did this come about? Newton (his nick-name) was bred, and is still owned, by Paul Tuck, one of our long-term members who, in a former life, was a Property Investment Manager. Upon retirement he decided to dabble in commercial horsebreeding with the majority of his products being sold at auction as yearlings.

One of these yearlings was a colt born in 2000 by the Irish 2000 Guineas winner in the English Champion Stakes winner, Spectrum, from the mare Primus, a daughter of Luskin Star, who won the Golden Slipper in 1977 and who was one of the best two-year-olds to ever race in Australia. Paul had purchased Primus three years before for $17,000. She then failed to get into foal for the next three years.

This colt, who was to become Newton’s Rings, did not reach his reserve at auction as potential buyers had a suspicion one of his front legs was slightly twisted. As a consequence Paul turned him out in some rugged hill country for a year to allow him to develop, which he did satisfactorily. His legs have never been a problem since.

At this stage he was named. Newton’s Rings was chosen as it related closely to Sir Isaac Newton who was the first person to discover that shining white light through a glass prism will produce a series of concentric circles which are the seven colours of the spectrum, the name of Newton’s sire. Primus is a derivative of the latin word for first. What a clever name!

When negotiations to sell him for $25,000 fell through, he was leased to Muswellbrook trainer Jeff Englebrecht, Mudgee grazier Nigel White and Paul’s wife Kerry, with Paul retaining ownership. As they say, the rest is history. The new “ownership” team gelded then spelled Newton for another year and, when he finally started to race as a four-year-old, he immediately showed ability and “ironhorse” toughness. In his first campaign he had 12 races for four wins and six placings, all in the country.

In his next campaign Newton quickly reeled off another four wins, a couple being in the city. This is where he came to the Club’s notice and a ground swell of enthusiasm from the Club membership with very few punters, or people interested in racing, led to him being made a Club member with the responsibility to raise money for the Club’s Benevolent Fund. Most members donated money to an “investment” fund which has, over the last five years (about 60 races), won about $1,500 through successful bets made.

This aside, Newton’s membership has provided the Club with some real fun. Regular reports to meetings by Paul are always greeted with cheers (when Newton wins) or otherwise hoots, and there is always plenty of banter and repartee. For many members it has been an insight into a fascinating, but little understood, industry.

But like all good things it is gradually coming to a close. Newton’s Rings is now 10 years old and that he is still racing is a miracle. Most horses do not race past five. His last campaign was disappointing as he did not win a race.

Currently the Muswellbrook Ironhorse’s wonderful race record is as follows:

His principal wins have been:

Newton’s Rings is currently having a spell at Mudgee. He will return early in 2011 for his last campaign before retirement. He enjoys his racing and there may be another win or two in him. Hope springs eternal!