Special Coast Wins for Wai Eyre Farm

The Christmas West Coast racing circuit has always been a special one for Wai Eyre Farm and the Brown family.

So, it was fitting that two Wai Eyre Farm horses carried the late Mike Browns colours to victory at Westport and Reefton.

Jack’s Eyre showed great tenacity on day two of the Westport meeting to pick up his maiden win, clearing a pocket on the home turn to come four wide, grinding down the leaders to win by a nose in a heart stopping photo finish.

A three-year-old by Sky Major, Jack’s Eyre was having just his ninth career start and showed there’s plenty more improvement to come with his gutsy win.

He was driven by Ben Hope, who co-trains the horse (along with Mike’s Eyre) with his father Greg at Woodend Beach.

The final day of the coast circuit marked an emotional milestone, when the last horse bred by the late Mike Brown won at Reefton.

Mike’s Eyre was making his race day debut and carried strong support with punters, starting second favourite.

After settling third last over the early stages, Ben Hope opted to take luck out of the equation. He followed the favourite Rakero John three wide before pressing on to take the lead with a lap remaining.

And whilst the two-year-old looked to be potentially a sitting duck for the opposition who poured on the pressure from the 400m, he soon laid any fears to rest in the home straight clearing out to win with authority by one and a half lengths.

Special wins by Jack's Eyre and Mike's Eyre

A son of Sky Major also, Mike’s Eyre is out of South Eyre, Mike’s favourite broodmare.

South Eyre already has a great career as a broodmare, having left winners in Mathew Eyre, Stoney Eyre, Gracie Eyre and now Mike’s Eyre. But her best performer to date has been Markham Eyre.

Markham Eyre won five races in New Zealand, before being sold to Australia where he won a further 15 races. he went on to race in the United States, recording a best mile time of 1.49.8.

South Eyre is fittingly by the great Christian Cullen, who stood at stud at Wai Eyre Farm for over a decade.

Mike Brown passed away in 2024 and was an extremely passionate horseman, farmer and breeder and is the founder of Wai Eyre Farm.

“It was really special to have them both win on the coast circuit. It was Dad’s favourite race circuit and he went every year,” explained Darryl.

And even though both wins gave some anxious moments, it was clear there was something special in the air oncourse.

“I’m pretty sure Dad was there giving them both a push along in the home straight. It sure was a sentimental win being the last horse he bred, and I was so happy to be there,” said Darryl.

“Being the last horse he bred he was named after him.”

Darryl and his sister Angela were on course for the Reefton victory, celebrating the legacy that Mike Brown continues to leave for Wai Eyre Farm.