Assembling a small select team of open racers might be the dream of many syndicates. Actually achieving it is beyond most.
On Saturday, the Jabber Crew, best known as the owners of the brilliant Donation, celebrated their biggest win to date with Stardom landing the £17,500 Ladbrokes Golden Jacket.
So who are and what is a Jabber Crew?
Founder member Adam Duncan said: “It really started out with myself and Geoff Wills with Kildallon Bolt. He was a fantastic pup but plagued by an Achiles problem. We decided to form a syndicate which was named after my son’s handle on Playstation, Jabber Monkey.
“I knew Richard and Donna Evans because our son goes out with his daughter. Frank Aston is Richard’s father in law, with Stephen Dimmock completing the five.”
The Jabber string features Donation, Stardom, Pennys Luna, Volcanic Reef, Hitchi Wayne, Jabber Monkey and Jabber Dream.
Adam said: “They haven’t all worked out. At this stage we are not sure that Jabber Monkey and Jabber Dream will be of the calibre that we are looking for, but we are very happy with the others.
“I did the deal with Pat Dalton for Stardom and Volcanic Reef at the same time; he bred both of them. Pat is a remarkable man and I love visiting him. He said at the time that we bought Stardom that she could turn out to be the best stayer he has bred in a long time. That is some accolade.
“She was bought with the Golden Jacket in mind. She is unbeaten in four races and looks as though she will stay further. At the moment, the Regency looks the likely target though with a bitch of that quality, you would also have to be thinking of the Leger and all the major stayers races.
“Volcanic Reef is showing a lot of ability in the Winter Derby, and he will hopefully be our Derby dog, of which Richard and Donna are joint sponsors. Donation is due back after a lay-off and will be going for the Steel City.
“Shirley Aveline did an excellent job with Pennys Luna, though Shirley doesn’t do a great deal of travelling and Luna is now with Heather (Dimmock).”
So where next?
Adam said: “We are on the look out for a top class sprinter, but that is easier said than done and there are a lot of very good sprinters around at the moment. But we’ll keep looking.”
