Master Fay's Newmarket chance

However, they are taking a significant leap of faith by bringing one of New Zealand’s fastest racehorses to participate in the celebrated sprint race.

The journey began at the NZB Karaka Yearling Sale in 2019, where trainer Chad Ormsby acquired an athletic son of the renowned stallion Deep Field for NZD$100,000. Originally intended for the NZB Ready To Run sale in New Zealand, the colt, later named Master Fay, garnered attention after impressive trials, leading to a lucrative sale to Hong Kong.

“He was very exciting. His trials were brilliant and soon the phone started ringing from bloodstock agents trying to buy the horse before the sale,” said Ormsby.

“The phone kept ringing and ringing and eventually we made a deal, selling him to Hong Kong for $550,000 to the Caspar Fownes stable in that country.”

Word got around of Master Fay’s ability and on New Year’s Day 2021 Master Fay was sensationally backed into $1.60 favourite and scoring with ease by two-and-a-half lengths, with judges at Sha Tin glowing in their reviews of the horse’s ability.

While lofty plans were being put in place for the Deep Field colt, the youngster was found to be sore after the race and despite the best veterinary care and patient handling, Master Fay eventually left Hong Kong for a very early retirement.

"Mr Wong, who owned the horse, contacted me about a good spot to retire him, but a year after he landed back at my place I thought the horse still had some racing left in him. I told Mr Wong that I believed we’d ironed out the horse’s problems." - Chad Ormsby

“It took a little bit of persuasion because Mr Wong was fond of the horse and would only allow a return to racing if the horse was sound,” he said.

Eventually permission was given and Ormsby put the horse into work, resulting in wins in a benchmark race and then a Group 3. Ormsby was confident he had recaptured the horse’s best that he’d seen three years prior.

Undefeated so far, plans were soon in place for the now six-year-old to compete in the Group 1 Yulong Newmarket Handicap. The Ormsbys have found themselves on the brink of history, with the gelding the first in over a century to enter the race with just four races under his belt.

“I suspected it would be a pretty strong record as you don’t see horses in this day and age run at such an early stage. But I’m confident he’ll equip himself well and he’ll be at the minimum weight,” said Ormsby.

Despite the challenge, Ormsby expressed confidence in Master Fay’s ability to perform well, especially considering his sprinter profile and his settlement into the stable at Flemington, under the care of Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Mike Moroney, Aliesha Ormsby’s father.

Moroney, who secured his first Newmarket victory just two years ago, with another New Zealander, Roch ‘N’ Horse describes his daughter and son-in-law as hardworking horse enthusiasts who have built a remarkable property in Cambridge.

He is also confident in their chances in the prestigious race.

“The horse is a real sprinter type, so he’s got all of the make up to be a genuine threat in a race like the Newmarket,” Moroney said.

With the horse having his first look at the Flemington course proper last Friday in a jumpout, Ormsby was pleased with the result.

“Craig Newitt, who rode him, gave him a good, glowing report shortly after. He looked keen, he was willing to get on with the job,” he told Racing.com.

So as Master Fay attempts to validate the leap of faith taken by Aliesha and Chad Ormsby this Saturday, there will undoubtedly be significant interest from the global racing community, particularly in New Zealand and Hong Kong, two countries that have played a crucial role in the career of this six-year-old.

Master Fay's unique career