It might not have crossed the line first, but three-year-old bay gelding Kickstart for Sam still made a lot of people happy in the 1000m Forster Bowling Club 3YO Maiden Handicap at Tuncurry on Monday.
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The horse finished eighth in its first start, but it was what Kickstart for Sam represented that mattered most to part-owners Chris McMaster, David Sheridan, Jenny Callaghan, Adele Mazoudier, John Bollard, Carole Ferguson and Bob Nelson.
The group bought a 10 per cent share in the horse when it was donated for auction by Rainbow Flat trainer Terry Evans at the Samuel Brett Nelson Kickstart Foundation trivia night last June.
The trivia night was held to raise money for the foundation; a charity that benefits disadvantaged children in the Great Lakes.
Mr McMaster said as soon as the horse went up for auction there was no way anyone else was getting a look in.
"The majority of us are long-time friends of the Nelsons," he said.
"It was our way of supporting the foundation they've got going which is doing so much good in the community."
The group approached the horse's other owners about naming it in honour of Sam, and following their approval, Mr Evans, who continued to train the horse, registered its name with Racing NSW.
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Mr McMaster said it was a joyous occasion to all come together and watch Kickstart for Sam's first race on Monday.
"It was fantastic," he said.
Steve and Nikki Nelson were also on hand and Mrs Nelson admitted it was very special to watch the horse race in her son's name, even if it didn't win.
"It was lovely," she said.
"I had a little chat to Sam but there's only so much a little boy in heaven can do."
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