The first horse David and Robyn Wallace wanted to buy shares in wasn’t available, leading to a bit of disappointment.
That moment has now become a blessing disguise.
The couple, along with Robyn’s sister Jill, and their children then decided to invest shares in a horse called Basilinna.
Victory in the Lexus Andrew Ramsden in May saw Basilinna and her owners earn a trip to the Melbourne Cup later this year. It was Basilinna’s first trip past 2500 metres which she won with a dominant leading display.
David said it was pretty exciting. to have a horse in the Melbourne Cup.
The Wallace family has called Keilor home for more than 115 years.
“It is one of only four horses so far to be in the Melbourne Cup,” he said. “There’s one from the states [America] and one from England are among them.
“We could not be more excited about to be in a sporting event like this. You can’t beat it.
“It’s something that all horse owners dream of.”
David said that his sister-in-law had shares in horses previously and it led them to think about it.
Robyn had been attending race meets at Moonee Valley for a number of years.
The pair went to see Emma-Lee and David Browne in Pakenham about getting involved in a horse.
“Robyn saw another horse and it wasn’t available, which turned out to be a good thing,” he said.
“They suggested this horse that they had bred themselves.
“We weren’t sure to be honest.”
The Wallaces’ have spent much of their time since Basilinna won her way into the Cup on May 17 talking about what is to come in the coming months.
“It’s beginner’s luck,” he said. “It is really exciting for us to be the first time we’ve had a share in a horse. It’s fantastic.
“We are over the moon. Our son, daughter and son-in-law are also part of it.
“Robyn has now bought shares in another horse.”
The horse also finished second in the Port Adelaide Cup on May 3, while it won at Moonee Valley in March.
She has had 10 places in her 19 starts, including three wins.
One of the biggest races was the Kennedy Oaks where she finished third in 2023. She also competed in the Melbourne Cup carnival last year in the Matriarch Stakes.
David said the trainers were still working out the schedule for Basilinna in the lead up to the first Tuesday in November.
