OCTOBER 2010

Owner of the Month

WARREN KIDD

The loss of his long-time friend, Mark Armitage, and a desire to commemorate his memory drew Warren into racehorse ownership as the nominee of the Shanks Syndicate which he formed with Mark’s father Trevor, family members and friends.

The syndicate’s horse Beach Beauty, trained by Dennis Drier, won first time out at Clairwood during the month.

The Armitage family have been prominent in the thoroughbred breeding industry for many years and the friendship between Warren and Mark went back to the 80’s when in the army and at university.

“After the loss of Mark last year we wanted to keep his memory alive and decided to form the Shanks Syndicate – Shanks being Mark’s nickname from university days – you know, the Shanks-Armitage connection in bathroom equipment.

“Mark was a great birder and he saw the bird called the Narina Trogan for the first time when he visited me here in KwaZulu-Natal. It is a beautifully coloured bird and we used the colours of the bird in the syndicate silks.

“Trevor sent a filly to stud and she produced Beach Beauty who was named by Mark’s daughter Kate.

“It was a very emotional moment when Beach Beauty won for the first time. We don’t know what we have got but hopefully it will not be so emotional next time.”