Neasham, Jelfs Launch Partnership for Magic Millions

Former Sky Racing mounting yard analyst Lizzie Jelfs will act as an independent consultant to trainer Annabel Neasham in the selection of yearlings during next week's Magic Millions Gold Coast sale.

Renowned for a sharp eye with her shrewd 'Pick of the Yard' selections for the Sydney racing broadcaster, Jelfs is looking forward to translating that valuable asset towards the world of bloodstock and the sourcing of young horses for Neasham's flourishing stable, after leaving Sky Racing in December.

"We're both very much like-minded people and I was looking to become more involved in that consulting and buying side," Jelfs told ANZ Bloodstock News.

"I have a good track record in the mounting yard and I've worked in racing for a very long time, and I have that unique crossover of working with the horses from a young age as 2-year-olds and training them and being part of that and also my role in the media and now going into this side of picking out young horses.

"I think the key thing, whether you're looking at yearlings or older horses, is to look at all different types of horses. I know what a good horse looks like and I know they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

"They can win races looking very different to what they should typically. You look at a horse like Nature Strip ; he's a big, rangy sprinter, he's not your classical sharp sprinting type, but it works. So I think I could be quite forgiving and (the transition) would be quite seamless."

The pair had already formed a close relationship in racing circles, having together raced Brisbane winner and ATC Sires' Produce fifth Queen Of Wizardry, while they partnered in the purchase of a Smart Missile  filly for A$130,000 at last year's Magic Millions sale. The filly, named Badda Boom Baby, trialed at Warwick Farm on Dec. 30, finishing behind stablemate and possible Gold Pearl runner Smart Vengeance.

The formal addition of Jelfs will add further prowess to an already formidable team at 31-year-old Neasham's fledgling training operation, as she joins existing bloodstock consultant Brian McGuire in selecting yearlings at next week's sale.

Jelfs, who in her role with Sky Racing developed a cult following, will aim to bring a new and diverse clientele into Neasham's ownership group under the banner of 'Race With Lizzie.'

"We had a couple of conversations and we came up with the idea that we wanted to get more people involved and make it a little bit more diverse," said Jelfs.

"We don't want it to be an exclusive partnership, it's very much an inclusive one. The 'Race With Lizzie' has come about because I've had so much interest in racing horses with me. I've had messages on social media and people asking, 'If you ever buy a horse can you please let me know and tell me what it is,' and I was telling Annabel all about it and she said we should do something together.

"It was something in the back of my mind that I'd always wanted to do but it was just a case of Annabel and I linking up and doing it together. She believes in me and I believe in her and that's really what it's starting off at."

Neasham, who will bid for glory in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic Jan. 15 with Magic Millions Wyong 2yo Classic winner Soaring Ambition, has collected five group 1 wins in her first year as a trainer, most notably through three-time group 1-winning stable stalwart Zaaki , as well as the triumphs of Mo'unga in the Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas (G1) and Winx Stakes (G1).

In a bid to add to that haul, Jelfs' first task is to cast her eye over the near 1,200 horses on offer at the season-opening Gold Coast Yearling Sale and, while the interest in diversity translates into the selection of racehorses too, the focus would be on ensuring quality rather than quantity.

"They won't just be precocious, we're looking for really good racehorses and I know what that takes," added Jelfs.

"We're just going through and now moving on to our second looks and all you can be sure is that I'm not willing to purchase anything that I don't love and don't stand behind and I'm just really focused on finding the next talented racehorse.

"The Golden Slipper is the one you dream of winning ... but there are Everests, Melbourne Cups, Cox Plates, it doesn't really matter. As long as you find a horse that your clients are going to have a bit of fun with and get a return out of, I think that's the biggest thing."