SHARING in the ownership of a country maiden winner is special for Colin McKenna but to win a race in front of the Queen over the other side of the world is the icing on the cake for the avid Warrnambool racing fan.
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McKenna, who has raced horses for more than 40 years, was trackside at Royal Ascot in England with his wife Janice to watch Merchant Navy, a horse he part-owns, score a nail-biting victory in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on Sunday morning (AEST).
Merchant Navy’s former trainer Ciaron Maher was there with the McKennas to see the boom colt defeat City Light by a short-head in a thrilling finish to the Group 1 classic.
McKenna told The Standard it was an incredible feeling to be on-track to watch Merchant Navy’s victory in front of the Queen.
“It’s doesn’t get any bigger than winning one of England’s feature races and to have the Queen there makes it even more special,” he said.
“There’s been a lot of water go under the bridge since my first winner as an owner when Advancing won at Penshurst in 1974.
“I’ve had plenty of highs and lows along the way as an owner but this is totally amazing.
“It’s one of biggest races on the world calendar and to be in the ownership of the horse is mind blowing.”
Merchant Navy is now trained by champion Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien.
The colt was sold in March but McKenna was still in the ownership for the Diamond Jubilee victory.
The Warrnambool businessman took time out to acknowledge the training deeds of two south-west identities.
He said Winslow-raised Maher and fellow Warrnambool trainer Aaron Purcell deserved credit for developing the star galloper into a Group 1 winner.
“Ciaron picked Merchant Navy out as a yearling and did all the early educational work with the horse before winning four races with him,” he said.
“Aaron took over the training after Ciaron was suspended and trained him to win the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and a third placing in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap.
“Both can be very proud for what they have achieved with Merchant Navy.”
Merchant Navy, who has won seven of his 10 starts, will start stud duties at Coolmore Stud in the Hunter Valley New South Wales later this season.