By Mike Dillon
You won't be surprised to learn this - Eric Watson is not into racehorses for the money.
Business' glamour boy is disciple-like in his enthusiasm for the excitement of horse racing since he became involved less than four years ago and like all good Born Agains, he's desperate to spread the word.
So much so, he has made it part of his mega business dealings.
Watson has involved a huge range of people he conducts business with in sharing ownership of his racehorses.
It hasn't quite got to the "buy this building and we'll discount a racehorse for you" stage, but it's serious. The word dabble has left the equation.
"What started out as a hobby has turned into a business," he said yesterday.
There are plenty of opportunities for partnerships - staggeringly, Watson now owns more than 100 thoroughbreds, as well as a plush agistment farm. He has invested millions. The average cost per horse per year is around $12,000.
"The horses have joined in with our investments," says the Blue Star chief.
"Racing's like golf, it's a great business sport. We're bringing into racing people we do business with.
"We're often getting the comment: 'That looks like fun, we'd like to be part of it.'"
High roller Craig Heatley is a heavy investor in Watson Bloodstock Ltd's horses. So is Advantage group chairman Evan Christian.
Wayne Hartner of Hartner Construction, former Corporate Cabs boss, developer Mark Hotchin, Dr Bruce Gilbert, UK publisher Mike Jeffries and construction boss Cliff Matson and breeder and investor Mike Tololi are on a sizable list who will have horses racing with Watson this season.
And what's business investment without a bit of fun and by-play. Watson is currently having a chuckle at the expense of another business partner, Tim Connell, publisher of New Zealand Rugby.
"Tim bought into a Gold Brose filly we've got with Paul O'Sullivan, but at the last minute pulled out. Since he pulled out, her older sister has won a group race in South Africa and Paul has declared her one of the promising horses in his team.
"We've named the filly Bad Luck Tim and Tim's trying desperately to buy back in, but we're letting him suffer at the moment. We'll probably let him back in - it is just a matter of what is costs."
Someone told Watson when he got into racing he wouldn't win a group or listed stakes race inside 10 years. He's now won eight of them and says he's pleased he'll now have people to share the trophies with.
On Tuesday he and trainer Graeme Rogerson made the decision to retire hampion 3-year-old of last season, Grand Archway after bone chips were discovered in a knee and her physical problems remained from injuries she suffered during a race in Melbourne in February.
Grand Archway, a dual Oaks winner, is to be mated with Zabeel.
There's one Watson will have no problems finding a partner for.
Watson has leased a corporate box at Flemington for the Melbourne Cup carnival in which he will host his business and racing partners.
"We want people we do business with to come into racing and have fun. To really enjoy it."
Horse Racing: Watson spreading the gospel
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