Blue Diamond Buzz for owner

From form guides in the school yard to cheering on a runner in the Blue Diamond Stakes – the transition of racing fan to excited racehorse owner.

The story of Philip Tyndall who on Saturday will enjoy the thrill of watching his filly Testa Reale take her place in a major race.

Growing up in Bendigo, Philip would chat about horses with his school friends and on holidays he would head to the local races.

After graduating with an Agricultural Science degree from Melbourne University (attending many metropolitan race meetings along the way), heading overseas and working in the Victorian public service, Philip then undertook a course at the Swinburne Film School.

Having “a fantastic time” – making a few short films and music video clips, Philip decided to make a documentary about his brother Peter Tyndall – a well known and highly regarded artist.

Named the best documentary at the Australian Video Festival “Someone Looks At Something” gained critical acclaim and gave Philip the confidence to again look at the creative world.

And so his next subject was writer Gerald Murnane with whom he shared much in common – both having been raised in the Bendigo area and both being keen horse racing fans.

Universally appreciated, the subsequent film “Words And Silk: The Imaginary and Real Worlds of Gerard Murnane” won the Gold Award for Best Documentary at the Houston International Film Festival, the Best Documentary (Artist Profile) at the San Francisco International Film Festival and the Best Documentary at the St Kilda Film Festival.

Screened on SBS, the documentary – much of which was filmed at Victorian racetracks – gave Philip an even stronger appreciation of the racing world and he sees many similarities between it and film making.

“The making of a film and the training of a horse are a lot alike,” he said – “they both involve long campaigns, expense, drama, patience and persistence.”

And so it was not surprising that Philip, who had always entertained the idea of one day racing a horse, gave Gavin Beever of Cumbre Stud a ring after seeing an article in the Bendigo Advertiser early last year.

Whilst not at that particular time intending to buy a share in a horse, Philip visited Cumbre and he was impressed by the stud’s philosophy of patience – Gavin and Heather Beever’s ideas on equine management similar to his own.

At the time the filly (the very first foal born by Testa Rossa) discussed in the newspaper article was not on the property but a week later Philip drove with Gavin to the Goulbourn Valley veterinary hospital to visit the young horse who had been in a paddock accident.

And it was pretty much love at first sight.

“She was this huge filly, impressive and well proportioned,” Philip recalls and by the time he had watched her walk he was hooked – “in the back of my mind I though ooohhh… maybe!”

Celebrating a major birthday the year before, Philip and his partner had discussed an overseas trip as his present but it had not yet eventuated and so he gave himself the ultimate gift – a share in a horse!

Also taken with two other fillies at Cumbre (by Favorite Trick and Spectrum), Philip suddenly became a part owner of three horses and he has been excited ever since.

With Cumbre Stud always open to its clients, Philip (so intrigued by thoroughbreds that he is now studying horse management at Glenormiston) has visited his horses many times and from the start of Testa Reale’s career he has been filming her progress.

From her education at Bendigo to training at Caulfield and race day – the filly making a winning debut at Sandown on February 2 – Philip has been there with camera in hand.

During this time Philip has been at work on another future documentary, Elvstroem his other subject. Hopeful of gaining funding and support for both projects, he is passionate about “showing what racing is really about.”

And so this Saturday (Elvstroem lining up in the St George Stakes) Philip will be a very busy man indeed – “I will be playing three roles,” he said – “racehorse owner and director/producer of two documentaries!”

Each role is one that he is thoroughly enjoying, the opportunity to combine his passions one that he appreciates. He was not, however, prepared for just how amazing it would be to own a horse.

“Ownership makes racing all the more intense,” he said - “when Testa Reale headed out onto the track for the Blue Diamond Prelude I just had this huge rush of blood.”

And when she won at debut? “A magical moment!” he enthused.