Lamnidae – the Scientific name for “a group of fast, hungry, predatory SHARKS!”
Once upon a time these Beauy Sharks’ Stalwarts – Sean Hanrahan, Ron & Garry Nicho, Brett Marchant, Jimmy Whitla, Phil Thomas, Ian Williams, Peter McBrearty and the late Andy Sheldrake may have fitted that description but not these days. Now they are better known with monikers including Moose, Slim, Rabs, Mad & Rooster but they have formed a racing syndicate and named it – “The Lamnidae” – in memory of their younger days. This group includes six Beauy Life Members, and they have coached three Senior Premierships, one U/19 and several Junior Flags between them. They have also played in six Senior and six Reserves Premiership teams and five of them have been Senior Captains & Vice-Captains, but it was the friendships made while at the Sharks that has kept them connected to this day.
Their racing syndicate came about because of two events connected to the Beauy Football Club - the passing of dedicated and popular Beauy Life Member, John Martin, a passionate owner and breeder of racehorses, and a Junior Dad’s luncheon held at the footy club two years ago.
Former President & great mate of Johnny Martin, Ron Buller, gathered several of John’s friends together to purchase a 25% share of a racehorse, which has been named La Narradora, “The Storyteller” in Spanish, in honour of the stories John shared over dinner and a glass of red at the club on most Thursday nights. Many friends and former players, coaches and club officials are involved in La Narradora, who has won a maiden at Dunkeld so far but will be back on the track soon following a spell. This ownership group was put together by Joe O’Neill of Prime Thoroughbreds – Joe’s son Vince, is a former Beauy Junior player and Joe is now the Father-In-Law of Sharks Premiership player, Luke Buller.
The Lamnidae boys put their syndicate together to participate, and Willo came up with the name, and then the OTI Syndication & Racing Management Group donated a 10% share in a filly to the BFC, which was auctioned at the Junior Dad’s 2022 Luncheon at the club. That connected the Lamnidae boys with OTI and their Blue & Gold Racing Colours sealed the deal, and it wasn’t long before the Lamnidae had a share in a three-year-old filly, Femminile, and a three year old gelding, Emphasize, who have both been performing in high level Stakes & Group Races, with Femminile taking out the Group 1 Classic – the S. A. Derby - in Adelaide last weekend.
This was a great thrill for all concerned and the boys will have the Derby Cup at the Club on Thursday night. It was carried home to Melbourne by Brett Marchant and his wife, Debbie, with the Cup sitting in the front seat next to him, although he was so hoarse that he could hardly speak for the next two days.
It is also great to see the Blue and Gold Colours saluting and setting the tone for the 2025 season, but the essence of the story is to demonstrate the bonds that people forge for life when they are involved and connected within a great family club and community organisation.
To add to a successful week, we also saw Ronnie & Luke Buller & Dougie Pritchard salute at the Warrnambool Carnival recently with their undefeated hurdler, The Cunning Fox – the Racing Gods have certainly smiled on the Sharks over the last month! Let’s hope the Footy Gods turn their attention to those wearing the Blue & Gold jumpers for the second half of the season.
