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HE MAY HAVE WAITED A LONG TIME (A VERY, VERY LONG TIME) BUT COUNTRY OWNER ED MEADOWS FINALLY CRACKED IT FOR HIS FIRST CITY WINNER

Bush owner Ed Meadows has finally had his dream come true landing his first city winner after a near lifetime trying.

Ed bred and owns handy galloper Fay’s Angels who won narrowly at Warwick Farm in August at the juicy odds of $21.

In hindsight, it was a tremendous price for the mare considering she was a last start Taree winner and had run a creditable sixth behind Pennyweka in the Group 1-Australian Oaks at Royal Randwick during the autumn.

Fay’s Angels after winning at Warwick Farm with strapper Merissa Ingelmo, trainer Karen Owen and jockey Maddy Owen. Image by Bradley Photographers

Taree trainer Karen Owen prepares the mare who is regularly ridden by her daughter, apprentice Maddy Owen who has been aboard in each of the mare’s three victories.

That was Maddy’s second win in town having scored on Miss Kojiki at Canterbury Park in July.

“A good friend of mine’s Pop, Ed Meadows bred and owns Fay’s Angels – she was actually my first winner in the Metropolitan area with my daughter Maddy riding.

“Ed is 96 years old and has raced a few horses for decades, mainly out west in picnic and country races.

“Ed bred Fay’s Angels out at Lake Cargelligo [two hours west of Parkes] where he still lives.

“Racecaller Col Hodges knows Ed pretty well from having horses race out west and Col congratulated him on his horse winning.

“Ed’s late wife was Fay and his three daughters are his ‘Angels’ – hence the name. They are also in the ownership with him.

“Ed loves his racing and his daughters and his granddaughter Jane Shaw told me that Fay’s Angels gives him great joy and keeps him going strong at 96.

Ed Meadows in hospital with his pair of ‘angels’ Carmel Hill (left) and Glenda Browne along with Fay’s Angel’s winning sash

“He had been in good health up until late September when Fay’s Angels ran in the Colin Stephen Quality at Rosehill.

“Unfortunately, Ed had a fall and broke his leg on that day. When he was taken to hospital the first thing he wanted to know was how the horse went!

“He had just had surgery, but he was so chuffed to receive the ATC’s winning owner’s sash for the Warwick Farm win which he hadn’t seen previously.

“This mare is giving him inspiration to get better so he can get back to the track to watch his ‘Angel’ racing again.”

Ed’s daughter Carmel Hill said it had been a 70-year wait for her dad’s first city winner and he hasn’t finished yet.

“Dad loves breeding horses and sitting down in a paddock with the foals. He said it keeps him young,” Carmel explained.

“His leg is mending well after having a plate and pins inserted. He is still very spritely and is ready to go again; he just needs to do his physio.

“He is unbelievable – someone’s got to tell him he is 96 and not 76!”