Earlier this month, a horse trainer enquired about using a bit lifter on a different bit other than a ring bit, which the horse was used to racing in. We directed the question to the “Brains Trust”, Ray Markey, the man with the most experience in this company, and he recommended to the trainer to persist with a ring bit with the addition of the bit lifter.

Changing the bit to an alternative pulling bit, was too risky. A week later, the trainer thanked us for Ray’s advice… the horse in question won a Group 2 race, landing a $13 to $8.50 plunge!

Which leads us to the topic of Ask Ray. Feel free to call us anytime with a query you have whether trainer or jockey related – we are here to answer questions as well as sell products!

Earlier this month, we had to act swiftly with regard to two unfortunate incidents involving the EVO saddle that we were importing from Italy. With two incidents within a week, where luckily no jockey or horse had been hurt, we were not prepared to risk any other possible problems. The impact was spread to more than just the jockey, when one horse had to be scratched from racing at the barrier, which would have understandably upset the owners and trainer.

If you still have not returned your EVO saddle, please do so immediately so we can process your full refund. We’re currently reviewing the issue with the manufacturer and remain committed to providing the horse racing industry with the best and safest gear.

We are on the home turn to Christmas after the first Tuesday in November rolls around.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our customers involved in the great race the very best of luck. And for those of you not involved in the Cup itself, good luck in saluting the judge first on Melbourne Cup day in any race you contest.

The Brains Trust here are prepared to put their predictions in print!

So here goes:

Ray

1. 23. Niwot
2. 3. Dunaden
3. 14. Illo

Greig

1. 22. Tullamore
2. 17. At First Sight
3. 1. Americain

Brendan

1. 3. Dunaden
2. 1. Americain
3. 23. Niwot

The much anticipated Markey Saddlery Warwick Stakes was a fantastic day.

Congratulations to PINWHEEL and the whole Darley team. Trainer Peter Snowden and jockey Kerrin McEvoy were thankful recipients of our gift vouchers.

The race has proven a strong form race with the recent wins of the Patinack owned TRUSTING winning two Group 2 races since, and Group 1 placings to ILOVETHISCITY and TRIPLE ELEGANCE.

Best of luck to PINWHEEL who is aiming for his first Group 1 win at Caulfield this Saturday.

Some more photos from the day:

Photo credits: Steve Hart

We have a special offer this month on Cateye and Skarchki track lights.

Normally $22 each, they are on sale – 3 for $49.50. Save $16.50 on this multi-buy option.

Follow the links to see what colours are available:

Cateye | Cateye 3 Pack
Skarchki | Skarchki 3 Pack

Metronomes

Also, please note the ever popular Metronomes have been reduced from $39.95 to $25. We have certain quantities of silver and pink:

Metronomes

We have been inundated with used racing gear to sell, in some cases on behalf of a retired jockey or trainer, or perhaps someone looking to upgrade their gear.

Obviously this gives the retired jockey or trainer some much needed cashflow. As a buyer, this gives you the opportunity to purchase a quality product without having to pay full retail price.

Not only is there a market for second hand saddles to be resold, but we are experiencing strong demand for other second hand products also.

We have recently added a new batch of second hand saddles & gear to the website:

Second hand saddles

Second hand gear

Keep looking in the coming weeks as we have more products to upload and offer.

Pat Ferris

Pat Ferris has this week received $2,000 for his package of gear. Whilst not fully sold, we have decided to split his gear up to cater to the needs of some apprentices requesting certain parts of the package. Pat was very appreciative, and thanked everyone for their interest. He sounded very bright on the phone this week, and proud now that he has become a dad for the second time in the last few months.

As you can see, the website has a fresh new look effective August 20. We are very proud of the all the hard work involved in redeveloping our site, but rest assured we have plans to make the site even more user friendly and informative.

In the last week, we have added this news section, which will host news relevant to the business, information on new products, and previous newsletters.

Feel free to post some feedback to us using the ‘comments’ section at the foot of this article – we’d be delighted to hear from you (you may need to click on the title to go to the article page to do this).

Recently we scored some coverage around the country about the Piuma Evo ‘lightest saddle in the world’.   On 5th August the story ran in the Sydney Morning Herald print edition and was syndicated around the country, appearing on the websites of the Canberra Times and Tasmanian Examiner and another seventeen newspaper sites.

Lightest saddle in the world

Founder of Markey Saddlery Ray Markey was also interviewed at length about the saddle and about horseracing equipment in general by Shawn Cosgrove on Sky Sports Radio the same morning.

Read the original Sydney Morning Herald article by Craig Young here:

Brown dices with weighting game in search of winning edge

The team at Markey Saddlery has over 75 years experience in the Thoroughbred Racing Industry. Ray Markey, a former jockey, and his wife Robynne, began Markey Saddlery in 1976, 15 months after Ray rode in his last race after suffering a badly broken leg in a race fall.

Ray Markey

Robynne had begun making racing silks as early as 1970, and was joined by her husband in partnership 6 years later.

Ray was a jockey from 1957 to 1975, and rode more than 500 winners in his career. He began riding in Brisbane, but moved to Sydney in 1969.

He is from a racing family. His father Vince Markey was a jockey firstly, later becoming a successful horse trainer in Brisbane. Two of Ray’s brothers also rode as jockeys, Cecil and Danny Markey. Ray’s grandfather on his mothers side of the family, Burt Studders, also rode as a jockey and later became a horse trainer.

Whilst awaiting his broken leg to knit, Ray was taught the saddlery trade by his friend Chris Day. He never returned to the saddle, moving into partnership with his wife and forming Markey Saddlery. One of their first clients was the legendary horse trainer T.J. Smith.

We are really looking forward to this major race sponsorship next month. We’ll be in some esteemed company: the race has been won by some top horses including Lonhro in 2001 and 2003, Sunline in 1999 and Super Impose in 1990 and 1991.

2011 Markey Saddlery Warwick Stakes

It is one of the oldest races in Sydney, dating back to 1923 when it was first held as a Principal race. In 1979 it was upgraded to Group 2 status and has had just one distance change when the race was run over 1300m in 2001.

In 1987 Pablo’s Pulse won the race at odds of 500-1, the longest price winner of a Group or Listed race in Australian racing history.

It is currently a Group 2 weight-for-age race run over a distance of 1400m and worth $175,000 in prize money. The 2010 Warwick Stakes was won by Metal Bender (Tim Clark) from Triple Honour (Jim Cassidy) with Danleigh (Hugh Bowman) third.

Markey Saddlery are proud to be involved with the Warwick Stakes 2011 and we will be offering a trainer, jockey and strapper award for the winning horse. We’ll have more information for you soon.