Magic moment for racing trio

Pictured: Christine Latus, Jessica Hunt and Camille Quinlan celebrating after Abounding's victory in the Magic Millions.

Christine Latus and her daughters Jessica Hunt and Camille Quinlan are still on “cloud nine” after the “best day of their lives”.

The Moreton Bay residents are part owners of Abounding which won the $3 million Magic Millions (MM) three-year-old Guineas on the Gold Coast this month.

It was a stunning victory. Abounding was in the pack with 200m to go, but found space, accelerated hard, hit the front in the last two strides … and won by a head.

That triggered wild celebrations among her owners, including the First Light Racing syndicate which includes Christine from Scarborough, Jessica of North Lakes and Camille from Deception Bay.

Together they own five per cent of Abounding, bought at the Magic Millions sales in 2021 for $75,000. Winning $1.7 million at the Magic Millions repaid that fee almost 23 times over!

“This doesn’t happen to people like us in big races,” Christine said, “…. but it did!”

“For weeks leading up to the race we were all sick with nerves. It was all consuming.”

Irish jockey Martin Harley broke his neck last year in a fall, but had miraculously recovered and the part owners travelled to the Gold Coast in teeming rain, knowing Abounding does not like wet tracks.

“But the day presented perfectly,” Christine said. “She (Abounding) paraded calmly, as usual, but there was a hold up of 80 minutes due to problems at the barrier.

“Take two and all horses were loaded again. We watched the dream unfold in front of us, it was going to happen, she was going to win!

“We went 'berserko' as the Sky TV race caller said. Involuntary jumping and screaming, it was massive.

“We were ecstatic, the thrill of a lifetime and the best day of our lives thanks to the gorgeous, big-hearted, baldy-faced, liver chestnut, Abounding.”

The five-figure sum Christine, Jessica and Camille won will go back into their love of racing. 

They now have 11 horses with one, Blue Stratum, running at Caulfield on Australia Day.

Plans are also in place for Abounding to run in the Stradbroke at Eagle Farm in June.

The family’s love of horses goes back to Christine’s father who was a “mad keen horseman” in Victoria. Christine was “into show riding”.

For years she has studied horses and when considering buying, “loved the look” of Abounding. “She looked the package to me,” Christine said.

“I just had to buy a share in her, five per cent. I asked my daughters if they'd like to join the journey and both said yes.”

Abounding has had 11 races to date for four wins, four second places, two thirds and a fourth. She's never been out of the money.