The Stories Behind Owners’ Colours: Lauren Snaith

Racing is a gift that keeps on giving and for many owners winning an Open Maiden still feels as special as if it was a Grade 1 feature. That’s certainly the case for Lauren Snaith, whose first venture in the owners’ ranks resulted in a winner.

The three-year-old filly Warbird is the first horse owned by Lauren – the wife of champion trainer Justin – but there had been no favouritism when it came to selecting a runner for her.

“She has been blown over with the revival of racing and the changes that have been made in the sport and decided she wants to become an owner, with her own badge, with no prompting,” Justin said of the new name in the owners’ ranks. “She chose her own colours, did all the relevant admin and paid the fee and became an owner. I then got (brother) Jonathan to give her a horse from the yard.”

And that was Warbird, who, with respect, isn’t one of the leading lights in the formidable stable.

“I thought that, because she was given to me, she’d always be near the back end of the field, but to have her win is the most amazing experience!” Lauren said after her filly had come home under a good ride from Craig Zackey over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 22nd December.

“It’s such an amazing experience. I can see why people get into this,” she enthused. Her two children, Emily and Jack, were on course to see their mom lead in her first-ever winner and there was extra pride in that it raced in her colours. Officially, those silks are described as white, with beige epaulettes and sleeves.

“I took out my colours in November last year,” Lauren says. “Francesca (my sister-in-law), did the same. I had been involved with racing indirectly for many years and decided it was time to have my own colours. The actual process of choosing your silks are quite tricky as they aren’t easy to get approved!

“The colours I chose don’t have any special significance, but I just wanted something different. Since I lean towards neutral, rather than bright colours, that was the direction I took. I was really happy with the end result.”