Colourful racehorse owner Bert Vieira didn’t make any friends when he wanted his stallion Trapeze Artist to stand his debut season at Widden Stud for $99,000.
But he certainly has done something to square the leger.
Last week he gave wounded jockey Tye Angland, who had ridden Trapeze Artist to 3 x Gr 1 wins, a lifetime of 1 x free service a year to Trapeze Artist.
What does that mean?
Well, the Anglands can use it to serve a mare or sell it, and a couple of days ago, Erin Angland, Tye’s wife, offered the first year’s free service up for public auction.
And it sold.
The service went for $105,000 and Sun Stud bought it when it was auctioned at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
All that money goes to the Anglands who attended the sale.
“This is Tye’s first proper outing since the accident so it’s great that he’s in an environment where he’s got lots of support and friends in the room here,” Erin said.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with this $105k result. We’re so humbled by Bert and his family. They’ve been through their own struggles of late and this just shows his character. We’re very lucky.”
Meanwhile the HKJC has assured the Anglands it will help them financially as well.
The Jockey Club is committed to helping to provide for Angland’s future, given he will need some form of care for the rest of his life, but it is understood those specific details are still being sorted out.
