Friendships, fate and a first winner

On the surface, it looked like any other Friday race meeting. But for apprentice jockey Tom Wingram, trainer Allan Sharrock, and co-breeders Andrew ‘Butch’ Castles and Waikato Stud, today at New Plymouth will be etched in memory for years to come.

Ocean Park three-year-old filly Bridie (ex Pico Turquino) saluted in Race 2 over 1600m, delivering Wingram his first career winner at his third raceday ride, a milestone moment in a young jockey’s journey made all the more meaningful by the web of friendships and connections that brought it about.

Waikato Stud caught up with a jubilant Castles, who had played a hand in the victory both as co-breeder and as a mentor to the young rider.

“Allan told me about a week ago that Bridie would win today,” Castles recalled. “So I asked him to put Tom on and give him his first winner, and he agreed. First winner at his third ride. Bridie will forever be his first, and to have a connection to that is something very special.”

Castles, who has been friends with Waikato Stud’s Mark Chittick for over 30 years and since relocating to the Waikato region has become even close to the Chittick family. He acquired the filly’s dam at a Raffles Farm dispersal sale, a Teofilo mare and the dam of today’s winner. Bridie was purchased from Waikato Stud’s draft for $50,000 by Sharrock, a close friend of both men, on behalf of successful businessman, racehorse owner and administrator Ron Stanley. Sadly, Stanley passed away in October 2025, and it is his wife Kathryn who now races the filly in his honour.

Wingram, an apprentice to trainer Donna Logan, was quick to share his gratitude. “Tom called me post-race and thanked me – he was over the moon,” said Castles. “He’s very talented, and you need that break. He got it today.”

Today’s victory also rounded off a landmark week for Waikato Stud, who earlier celebrated the first winner of their promising young first-season sire Noverre. Waikato Stud-bred Hailstones (ex Cool Storm) saluted at Scone for trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald, giving Noverre an opening to remember.

“This story has so many connections,” said Castles. “Allan came up to spend the night celebrating Noverre getting his first winner with Mark and me. It’s almost like the racing gods aligned.”