‘Life-changing’: The $50k horse plunge now worth millions
It's hard to fathom that a split second decision to buy a share in a horse no one wanted could forever change a family's trajectory.
But that's the uplifting journey the Miles family is now on as they watch star two-year-old Campione D'Italia ascend to the dizzy heights of racing – and at the same time soar to exponential value.
For two decades now, Antonia Miles has been the media and marketing backbone for Gerry Harvey and Katie Page for not only Harvey Norman, but also the hugely successful Magic Millions Sales. And it’s that connection which led the 52-year-old mother of three to make a snap call to splurge on a horse which is poised to now deliver a muti-million dollar windfall.
“I met Gerry and Katie through John Singleton back when ‘Singo’ was a shareholder in Magic Millions and can honestly say they are just the most beautiful people and the perfect role models,” Miles said.
“I’ve been going to Magic Millions every year since 2006 and it’s become our family’s annual holiday, well not so much for me.
“During that time I’ve picked up bits and pieces of information here and there and met some wonderful people but the idea of owning a horse had never really come into the picture.”
But that changed at the 2025 Magic Millions Sales when a spur of the moment move saw Miles purchase 10 per cent of a Snitzel x Medaglia Valore colt bred by Harvey but passed through the sale ring unwanted.
Miles calls it her “serendipity” moment.
“Looking back it was partially spontaneous or cautiously considered … it depends when you ask me,” she says with a chuckle.
“Over the years I’d heard so much about Snitzel I could probably draw him in my sleep and looking at this colt he just had such a lovely temperament.
“I just happened to be standing around with Gerry and his racing manager Luke McDonald after he wasn’t sold when I asked Gerry if he would sell me 10 per cent.
“I’d been listening to Gerry, Luke and Barry Bowditch talk about horses for decades and something was telling me I should get involved in this horse.
“Gerry had a look in his eye to say he would (let me) but he couldn’t have warned me any more times about the odds of it working out well.
“In fact, he gave me countless opportunities to pull out and was very gentle with the terms of it all and was very protective of me.
“Which meant the world.”
While the Snitzel colt which now races as Campione D’Italia went through the sales ring unsold, a deal was ultimately done with Henry Field’s Newgate Stud for the horse to be purchased for $500,000.
Harvey stayed in with 20 per cent while the deal placed Miles’ 10 per cent share at a cool $50,000.
“In our world, it was a lot of money,” she said.
“An uncomfortable amount of money actually.
“When I decided to do it I called my husband Ed and said that it would be his 50th birthday present.
“The idea was it was something we could do together.
“So we just sort of parked it and didn’t think about it too much, fully aware that it probably wouldn’t work out.”
At Royal Randwick on Saturday, 15 months on from that snap purchase on the Glitter Strip, Campione D’Italia will take his place as favourite in the $1 million Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m).
The Chris Waller-trained powerhouse will be looking to add another leg of the two-year-old triple crown to his resume after annexing the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes a fortnight ago.
A slashing fourth in the Golden Slipper a start earlier, Campione D’Italia’s rapid rise has already seen him amass more than $1 million in prizemoney.
But it’s on the breeding front where his true value lies, with suggestions a second Group 1 on Saturday could see his value soar to $30 million.
A valuation in those realms would see Miles’ $50,000 outlay now be worth $3 million … and counting.
But the Eastern Suburbs based family isn’t alone in revelling in the fashionably bred colt’s success, staying true to a pledge they made when acquiring the 10 per cent share early last year.
“When we decided to go ahead with it we said that if we ever came out in front we’d give 10 per cent of our winnings to the Nelune Foundation,” Miles said.
“They do amazing work with cancer patients and it’s a cause really close to our hearts after I was treated for breast cancer in 2024.
“I told (co-founder) Nelune (Rajapakse) about us donating 10 per cent over Easter just after the Sires’ win. It was a pact Ed and I made and we didn’t want to jinx anything so we waited to say anything until after he was in the black.
“It just adds even more enjoyment, knowing that it can help others as well.”
An emotional Miles said it’s hard to properly quantify what Campione D’Italia means to the family which along with Ed includes their three girls Saskia, Anouk and Lucia.
“Katie (Page) would always say to me that you can’t understand the thrill and enjoyment unless you actually experience it yourself and she’s right,” Miles said.
“Having seen and written about so many great stories over the years it’s not until you feel it for yourself that you really do get it.
“It’s no wonder it can make grown men cry.
“I look back at that sliding doors moment last year and so many things could have gone differently and seen me not go through with it.
“The horse could have been sold, even to the point that if I hadn’t been standing with Gerry and Luke precisely when I was, it likely doesn’t happen.
“It was just a perfect storm of ingredients and it really has changed our lives forever.”
Both Antonia and Ed will be trackside at Royal Randwick on Saturday having alternated between recent racing forays, with one staying home with the kids.
“When he had his first start in February and came last, Ed went by himself,” Antonia reflected.
“To have gone from that to where we are now is a credit to everyone that is involved with him.
“Whatever happens from here is just a bonus and I just hope more people get to feel the fun and enjoyment we’ve got to experience.
“It truly is life-changing.”
Source: racenet.com.au
