The Philosophy Of Ownership: Lessons From The Journey
Accidental Beginnings Shape Racing Philosophy
Ozzie Kheir never intended to become one of Australia's leading racehorse owners. The Resimax Group property developer entered racing through friends about a decade ago, seeking respite from demanding seven-to-seven business schedules. What began as casual syndicate involvement has evolved into an operation spanning 50 to 75 horses across Australia's premier stables.
His entry into racing was unremarkable. It followed a group purchase that sparked something deeper after an early victory. "We had breakfast, then lunch, then dinner," Kheir recalls. "I thought – this is pretty good." The social element proved as appealing as the racing itself, establishing patterns that continue to define his approach.
The foundation was laid with Marmelo, a European stayer purchased specifically for Melbourne Cup ambitions. "Back then, all I wanted was a runner," Kheir explains. "Just being part of the day felt like the pinnacle." Marmelo delivered that experience in 2018, finishing second to Cross Counter in circumstances that provided Kheir's first major lesson about racing's capacity for heartbreak.
"I thought we'd won. I was giving high fives with 200 to go. Then he got run down," Kheir remembers. But rather than deterring him, the near miss ignited greater ambition.
Golden Period Establishes Racing Credentials
The period from 2018 to 2021 established Kheir as a serious player in Australian racing. "That run we had – it was mind-blowing. Group One wins just kept coming. We were spoiled," he reflects, acknowledging the extraordinary nature of the sequence.
The honour roll from this period includes Yes Yes Yes taking The Everest in 2019, Tagaloa capturing the Blue Diamond Stakes, Sir Dragonet winning the Cox Plate, and Hitotsu claiming multiple Group One races, including the Victoria Derby and Australian Guineas, before injury curtailed his career.
The pinnacle arrived in 2021 when Verry Elleegant and Incentivise ran one-two in the Melbourne Cup. "It's phenomenal to run one-two in the Melbourne Cup. It's just something that dreams are made of. And to win it with a horse like Verry Elleegant... I think it was very well deserved," Kheir says.
This success period taught him fundamental lessons about the sport's difficulties. "Winning a Group One is just so difficult, and the longer you're in the sport and see how much needs to go right, it just makes you appreciate the good horses even more when they come along."
Jimmy's Unexpected Journey Refines Ownership Understanding
Jimmysstar's emergence has provided Kheir with perhaps his most instructive ownership experience. The New Zealand-bred gelding's path to Group One success and an Everest slot represents everything unpredictable about racing.
"Having a horse in the TAB Everest wasn't in my thinking 9 months ago, because we never set out to buy a sprinter," Kheir explains. "Particularly, with a New Zealand-bred tried horse purchase. We thought Jimmy was a miler, and it's been an exciting revelation that he has turned out to be the high-level sprinter that he is."
Jimmysstar's development has been challenging . "The journey, like with all horses, is rarely straightforward," Kheir notes. "Jimmy showed us right from day one that he had exceptional talent, but there was a period there where he wasn't executing his races perfectly, and he was beaten at short odds. But through the brilliant training of Ciaron Maher, he has been able to develop at his own pace, and now he does most things right."
The transformation from inconsistent performer to Group One winner has been remarkable. "Since the beginning of the last preparation, when he won the Oakleigh Plate in scintillating fashion, it's just been so exciting to be a part of because now we have a top-class horse. He is only targeting the big Group One races. Now that we have a slot in the TAB Everest, we are all dreaming of winning the biggest sprint race of them all, and that's very exciting."
Character Over Conformity
Jimmysstar's personality has taught Kheir to value individuality over predictability. The 2019 New Zealand-bred chestnut gelding by Per Incanto out of Anniesstar was originally bred by the Algie family in partnership with Little Avondale Stud. After early success with Guy Lowry in New Zealand - two wins and a placing from his first three starts - a majority share was sold to Kheir's syndicate before being transferred to Ciaron Maher's stable.
"They all have their own individual personalities, and that's part of why we love the sport of horse racing," he observes. "They are not machines; they are all individuals, and they all need to be managed accordingly. Jimmy is small in stature, but he thinks he is much bigger than he is. You could say he is a big horse trapped in a small horse's body!"
Rather than viewing quirks as problems, Kheir has learnt to appreciate them. "He has been quirky but never difficult and everyone who has anything to do with him loves him. His quirky attitude is also reflected in his racing style, and he really keeps you on your toes, because he likes to get out the back in races and really flash home, and that can be heart-in-your-mouth stuff!"
The experience of watching Jimmysstar develop has reinforced Kheir's appreciation for patience in racing. The gelding's breakthrough came with dual Group One success in 2025, winning the Oakleigh Plate first-up and the All-Aged Stakes, leading to his selection for TAB's slot in the A$20 million Everest in October.
"It's just the best feeling and something you never take for granted," he says about the gelding's Group One breakthrough. "To see Jimmy develop from a talented, but very raw 4yo gelding when we got him to the Group One sprinter he is today, has been a special thing." The son of Per Incanto embodies Kheir's successful strategy of acquiring promising New Zealand-bred horses and nurturing their individual talents.
Practical Philosophy For Modern Ownership
Kheir's approach to ownership has been shaped by triumph and disappointment. His philosophy centres on managing expectations whilst maintaining enthusiasm. "Enjoy the highs as they are rare and celebrate every win like it's your last," he advises.
Success brings its own pressures, as he has discovered. "The better your horse is, the more stress it will bring," he acknowledges. "So sometimes you need just to appreciate what's been achieved and enjoy the journey for however long it takes you. It won't last a long time."
His approach emphasises social connection over pure commercial return. "Racehorse ownership should be seen by most outside of breeding as a way to connect with friends and a damn good excuse to party - win, lose or draw," he explains. "I have learnt to do so before they race, as the dream is alive, and then go again harder if they win. So sometimes a small break between wins is healthy, but not too long of a break."
Philosophy Of Success: Journey Over Destination
The strategic pathway from Premiere Stakes to Everest success has been validated in spectacular fashion by stablemate Bella Nipotina, who, despite a luckless third in the 2024 Premiere Stakes, went on to become the first mare to win The Everest just two weeks later. Whilst Kheir has no ownership stake in Bella Nipotina, who is owned by a syndicate including Michael Christian, Mick and Alise Johnston, and other partners, the shared training partnership with Ciaron Maher provides valuable insights into campaign planning.
Bella Nipotina's triumph demonstrates that even a disappointing Premiere Stakes result need not derail Everest ambitions, offering encouragement for Kheir's own Group Two to Everest aspirations with Jimmysstar. The mare's journey from third place in the traditional lead-up race to Everest glory proves the campaign pathway remains viable despite setbacks.
Looking ahead, Jimmysstar remains central to Kheir's plans, with Royal Ascot a potential target. "Potentially. I think the 1200m at Royal Ascot would suit him perfectly, as he gets 1400m easily and with the stiff uphill finish at Ascot, you really need a horse that can get 1400m to win there. But at this stage, there are no plans beyond The TAB Everest. We will get through that and then sit down with Ciaron and work out a plan."
The stable's future looks promising, with Jimmysstar and Gringotts identified as potential flagbearers for 2025. Another prospect, Sergeant Major, embodies Kheir's patient approach to New Zealand-bred horses. "We've got one at Ciaron's and I think and hope this is the next Jimmysstar or Gringotts, being those backward New Zealand horses that mature with age," he says, though he remains realistic about progress. "He hasn't shown as much as I would have liked so far, but I just think this year he's on the path to improve."
"Win, lose, or draw in the Gr1 The Everest, Jimmy has already exceeded expectations," Kheir concludes, summarising an ownership philosophy that values the journey as much as the destination. For an owner who began seeking simple respite from business pressures, Jimmysstar has provided lessons that extend far beyond the racetrack.