The story behind Chris Judd’s first Group 1 winner

By Connor Scanlon

Everything Chris Judd touches turns to gold!

The two-time Brownlow Medallist and six-time All-Australian has taken up racing ownership since retiring from the AFL.

Now, the 42-year-old has just won his first Group 1 as part of the Baggers Naggers syndicate, consisting of former Carlton teammates, with Birdman taking out the million-dollar Doomben Cup.

Speaking on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up, the AFL legend revealed how he got into racing ownership, referencing prominent owner Ozzie Kheir and former Carlton assistant and caretaker coach John Barker as the catalysts to create the Baggers Naggers syndicate.

“Ozzie Kheir went to school with Johnny Barker, and the two of them were on a family holiday in Bali and they got talking and decided it would be a good idea to and put together a Carlton syndicate on some of the horses Ozzie’s involved in,” revealed Judd.

“Myself, Patty Cripps, Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering, Zac Fisher, Will Setterfield, and a few others we're only too eager to oblige and jump on board.

“Yeah, what a ride so far.”

Reflecting on the son of Free Eagle’s victory, Judd admitted he was confident that they would be able to turn the tides on Pride Of Jenni from their Hollindale Stakes battle.

“I thought his run last start (in the Hollindale) was brilliant, Pride Of Jenni just got too big a lead and Birdman couldn't chase her down,” continued Judd.

“I was reasonably confident, as long as the track wasn't too heavy… He's got some really good speed at the end and has got some staying power.

“Pride Of Jenni's such a great and so gutsy, so to be able to chase her down was really exciting. He was brilliant.

“That was my first Group 1 winner. I backed him, I'm not a huge punter, but I did have something on him. That helped to make the day an even more enjoyable one.”

Looking forward into the spring with the Chris Waller-trained gelding, the two-time Brownlow Medallist is hoping Birdman can run in races further than 2000m.

“Hopefully we have a bit of fun with him in spring, and hopefully he's got a little bit longer in him than the 2000m,” exclaimed Judd.

“It is a thrill, there's not many things you get in your life as you get a bit older where you're just completely present and occupied – that’s one of the things that racing does.

“I'm certainly by no means an expert, but when you have a winner, I'll quickly become as obnoxious and knowledgeable as anyone. It's a lot of fun.”

With Birdman currently at $15 to win the prestigious Cox Plate, Juddy could even have a Group 1 Cox Plate next to his name come the end of the spring.