Cover image courtesy of Race Images

The story behind the first win for Chisora (NZ) is both heartfelt and significant for Inspire Racing and its connections.

The $18,500 maiden race at New Plymouth on New Year's Eve, though seemingly modest, marked a milestone for Matthew Corban and the team, as it was the first victory for the syndicate. Chisora, trained by Allan Sharrock and sired by Belardo (Ire), had the expectations of a hot favourite, and he delivered, winning narrowly but in style.

Matthew Corban's pride is evident in his reflection on the win, emphasising that there is always uncertainty until the race is run - despite the expectations.

 

Chisora is not just a promising horse; his name adds an intriguing layer of character. Named after British boxer Derek Chisora, the choice reflects Corban's passion for boxing - a shared interest within his family or in Corban's words 'an obsession alongside racing'.

This victory marks the start of an exciting journey for Inspire Racing, with high hopes for many more successes ahead. Corban adds a touch of humor, acknowledging the tradition of themed names: “Racing enthusiasts can be superstitious, can't they? Although some of the owners have their own opinions on the matter, I might have to name the ones that I keep a big share in!”

This moment is one to cherish for Inspire Racing as they embark on what they hope will be a bright and successful future.

 

Born into the Industry

Matthew Corban's deep roots in the racing game come from a family legacy that has shaped his path in the industry.

As a son of Marcus Corban, who spent over 40 years at Cambridge Stud, including more than 30 years as the general manager, Matthew had racing ingrained in him from a young age. Several of his siblings also share a strong connection to the industry, with his brother Dom managing yearlings at Pencarrow Stud and Julian making a name for himself in the prestigious role of looking after stallions at Cambridge Stud.

Matthew’s journey in racing has been diverse and broad. After completing university, he gained hands-on experience working at a New Zealand TAB agency, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) in the ‘Racing Bureau’, and in Sydney with the Racing NSW Marketing and Promotions team that were responsible for key events like the Country Championships and Provincial Championships, and the inaugural running of The Everest.

 

Reflecting on this experience, Matthew mentions how the success and innovation of events like The Everest showed him the potential for New Zealand to achieve similar feats with the right leadership and vision.

“Everything needs a starting point, everyone bagged The Everest concept initially and in fact they were pretty brutal, I was there when The Everest started and look how far that event has grown. You have to be bold to capture the younger generation and the NZB Kiwi/Karaka Millions innovation can do that.”

One of the driving forces behind Matthew’s decision to venture into syndication in New Zealand was the significant boost in industry optimism following Entain’s involvement, particularly with the increase in prize money for 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds. This, combined with the introduction of new races and broader industry growth, has created new opportunities for owners.

Matthew’s enthusiasm for the industry’s potential is clear, as he points to the impressive turnover growth recently highlighted by Cameron Rodger, Managing Director of Entain New Zealand. Rodger noted a 22 per cent increase in turnover from last year across the 11 domestic thoroughbred meetings during the holiday period, underscoring the growing interest in New Zealand thoroughbred racing and the importance of capitalising on current momentum.

For Matthew, now is an exciting time to be involved in racing, and he is passionate about bringing new and first-time owners into the fold.

“I want to focus on the younger group and first-time owners, and making things work around them if needed. Give them a positive experience early is something very important and something I am passionate about.”

His drive to create opportunities and excitement in the industry is a key motivator behind his work with Inspire Racing, and the success of his first winner, Chisora, is just the beginning of what he hopes will be a flourishing future for racing in New Zealand.

A proven trainer with a strike rate

Allan Sharrock’s involvement with Inspire Racing is likely to play a key part in their future success, and his long-standing reputation as one of New Zealand's top trainers speaks for itself.

Known for achieving outstanding results with a small, efficient team, Sharrock has trained multiple Group 1 winners such as Kawi (NZ) (Savabeel), Wahid (NZ) (Almutawakel {GB}), Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}), I Do (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}), Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed {NZ}), and Grout (NZ) (Gold Brose). Despite not having a large stable, Sharrock’s ability to get the best out of his horses has made him a perfect fit for Inspire Racing, which seeks a trainer who can offer personal attention and a high strike rate.

Corban is quick to highlight the positive influence Sharrock has had on his racing venture. His admiration for Sharrock goes beyond his training prowess; Corban values the personal relationship and great friendship he has with Allan, his partner Emma, and Allan’s son Kane.

 

“He isn’t a big stable, which suits me,” Corban explains, underscoring the personalised and collaborative nature of their partnership.

While Sharrock will train the majority of Inspire Racing’s horses, Corban has also sought out other top trainers. One such example is a horse syndicated to David Ellis and the Te Akau Racing team, one of New Zealand’s premier racing operations. Additionally, Corban’s international reach includes the Freedman brothers, Richard and Will, who are based in Sydney and train at Rosehill.

‘Dream Big, Race Bigger’

Inspire Racing’s motto, “Dream Big, Race Bigger,” aims to encapsulate the vision of the organisation: to offer thrilling, rewarding experiences for clients while striving for success on the racetrack.

For Corban, racing is about more than just the horses.

“It’s about creating an enjoyable, social atmosphere for owners, helping them feel a part of the journey every step of the way,” he said.

His focus on communication is key to this, ensuring that owners receive regular updates, such as trackwork videos and social event invitations, while maintaining an open line of contact for any questions or assistance needed.

Corban also values the importance of making the racing experience fun and engaging. He points to Ellerslie’s ‘Punters Bar’ as an example of how tracks can improve the overall experience for owners, creating an atmosphere that encourages long-term involvement in the sport. This approach is crucial for growing the industry, as positive experiences lead to repeat participants and greater support for racing.

“We want people going to the races and enjoying themselves. We need to look after our owners and genuinely get them interested and coming back.”

In addition to providing a strong racing experience, Corban also sees the value in educating owners in a fun and accessible way. He emphasises that part of the future of Inspire Racing may involve expanding into other areas of the industry, such as breeding. He mentions the success of a breeding syndicate he set up, which sold out quickly, and he is “looking forward to Nick Fairweather and the team (at Carlaw Park) presenting a three-quarter sister to Beau Dazzler at Karaka Book 2.”

The filly by Ardrossan will be offered as Lot 675 and is out of the unraced Henrythenavigator (USA) mare Katherine Wright (NZ) who is a half-sister to Beau Dazzler's (NZ) (Ardrossan) dam Pwerfect (Pentire {GB}).

 

This venture into breeding is an area Corban and Inspire Racing are excited to explore further as they continue to grow and diversify their offerings.

What does an Inspire Racing client look like

Corban is focused on making racing more accessible, particularly for new and first-time owners. By offering flexible share sizes and syndication options, he aims to open the sport to a broader range of participants, accommodating various levels of interest and experience. Smaller shares and separate syndicates provide an opportunity for more people to experience the excitement of owning a racehorse.

With the upcoming Karaka sales, Corban is preparing to add to the team and welcomes anyone interested to get in touch.

“I plan to be active at Karaka, I will have a domestic focus, with the aim of buying good New Zealand-bred stock that are by proven New Zealand sires, let's hope I can afford them.”

Currently, Inspire Racing has about a dozen horses in the stable, and Corban is keen to expand. His approach prioritises creating an inclusive and enjoyable environment for owners, where the thrill of the sport is shared and celebrated.