Melissa Robinson

The same as any true racing Kiwi was, I was bred into racing with my late grandfather, Ian Signal — a great man and stud master, accredited breeder, owner & trainer of Johnny Cash, a Champion Galloper of the 1960’s & 70’s. Johnny Cash was winner of the 1969 Waikato Gold Cup and to this day holds the Australasian record for a mile and a half. I was the granddaughter that the “bug” was bred into. It was inevitable at least one of his children would continue his path with a passion for thoroughbred racing. That child was none other than my mum, Joy Signal, who went on to become Joy Robinson and was well respected as Champion trainer Roger James’ right-hand lady for 20-25 years.

Thanks to my Mum & Dad my childhood weekend memories always comprised of race meeting after race meeting; and dinner and table conversations were laced with racing news, breeding information and stable operations. Mum had the same natural ability and ease with horses as the way she handled people; befriending all owners and clients she met. Her natural love of horses and people alike ensured she was always running a well-oiled operation, syndication and all finances.

As an infant my parents trained greyhounds and not long after began racing horses. They raced many top horses including Group 1 and multiple Stakes winner Pasta Post as well as Group 1 1000 Guineas & Captain Cook Stakes winner Elevenses. In my opinion my Mum’s proudest moment was when she decided to purchase Pristino, a More Than Ready mare, from public auction. Already a shareholder in the racing syndicate trained by Roger James, Mum knew she had a lot going for her: she was well bred and had shown ability, despite injury. Pristino’s fourth foal, Dijon Bleu (ex Burgundy) went on to become the 2018 Champion NZB 3YO Filly of the Year, despite injury stopping her racing career before the end of the season. And so Mum’s legacy continues…

An internationally recognised Chartered Accountant by profession, followed by a 10-year overseas hiatus as a successful International Touring DJ — a more creative and adventurous path to my original accounting and strategic management education — I continued to gather awards and play music at the top level throughout New Zealand, Australia, Asia and the Middle East. Landing back on NZ soil after leaving the exclusive 5-star Kempinski hotel in Qatar I was immediately reminded of the things I missed and loved the most in NZ. One of those things is thoroughbred racing. The thrill and excitement that horse racing gives you is palpable; the ability to bring people together and create memories that last well beyond a race, season or lifetime is what is truly special. Through putting ownership groups together, we make this easily accessible and combined with our unique and meticulous thoroughbred selection process, we take winning from a possibility to a probability.

It is this formula that enables our clients to achieve not only the thrill and excitement of watching their horse race — and win — but also the opportunity to meet new people, develop business relationships and create lifelong memories.