COLLEGE WORKER CHASES GROUP ONE DREAM

Features | 24^th July 2024

Racing fan Kate Bletsoe-Brown had no idea of the exciting adventure she was about to embark on when she got involved in ownership for the first time with syndication company Quantum Leap.

She bought shares in three horses including a yearling by Soldier Hollow who has turned out to be star performer Tamfana, a Group-winning filly being aimed at top-level glory later this season.

“I can’t believe how lucky I’ve been,” says Kate, a learning support assistant at Moulton College in Northamptonshire. “I never thought I would have a Classic runner in my first ever year as an owner … it was unthinkable.

“Some people go for 30 or 40 years trying to get a horse good enough to run in a Classic and I’ve achieved that already, thanks to Quantum Leap.”

Trained by David Menuisier in West Sussex, Tamfana won a Group 3 in France as a two-year-old and has run with huge credit in both the English 1,000 Guineas and the French Oaks this season – performances that have set her up for a likely crack at Group 1 glory in the Prix de l’Opera in Paris in the autumn.

“Watching her run in races like that has been extra-ordinary and I’m hoping there are some big days still to come,” adds Kate, who once worked in racing for trainer Henrietta Knight and these days enjoys being a “happy hacker” in her spare time.

“I’ve always loved racing since my mum got me interested but had never owned a share in a horse until I joined Quantum Leap,” she explains. “I read an article about them in the Racing Post and shared their interest in middle-distance horses on the Flat so I got in touch and met up with Eamonn O’Connor, who runs the syndicates.

“After that it was easy. I bought shares in three yearlings including Tamfana and have had the most amazing two years,” adds Kate, who also owns a stake in promising maiden Promethean with Menuisier and Melrose Stakes-bound Too Bossy For Us with Kevin Philippart De Foy.

“Tamfana’s enjoying a well-deserved break but I’m looking forward to following her to Paris in the autumn if she runs in the Opera. Having a chance of winning a Group 1 is just incredible.”

O’Connor, who set up Quantum Leap Racing in 2017, adds: “Kate is typical of the type of owners we have in our syndicates, ranging from builders to teachers and publicans to barristers – some, like Kate, who had never been involved before.

“Our aim is to buy stoutly bred horses that we hope will be good enough to win a staying race at Group 1 level and Tamfana has become a real standard bearer for us.

“She ran so well in the Guineas at Newmarket and again in the French Oaks. Seeing her in front inside the final furlong at Chantilly was amazing and she did so well to finished third.

“We had hoped to aim her at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe but decided to drop her back in trip after she didn’t quite see out a mile and a half in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris last time.

“The obvious target is the Opera at Longchamp on Arc weekend but we will have several options, including a couple of races in North America,” reveals Eamonn.

In the meantime, Kate and her fellow shareholders are looking forward to another big day out at York’s Ebor Festival when Too Bossy For Us takes his chance in the Melrose Handicap next month following a big run in a Class 2 handicap at Haydock Park last time.

“Going to York, Newmarket and even the big French tracks in Paris is something every owner dreams of,” adds Kate. “The whole experience with Quantum Leap has been an education and it just seems to get better and better.”

COLLEGE WORKER CHASES GROUP ONE DREAM

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