The Ardmore Lodge horseman took a drastic measure to stay afloat and with the help of an understanding wife and bank manager he was able to continue with his small team.
“I had a bad batch of horses and some retired and I had to re-mortgage the house to stay in the game,” Bishara said.
“Everything has come up trumps since then and we’re living the dream now.” – Nick Bishara.
“I’m very lucky my wife Sharlene agreed to that – I went 18 months without a winner until Verry Flash. Everything has come up trumps since then and we’re living the dream now.”
Verry Flash (Zed {NZ}) broke the drought back in May and since then the floodgates have opened with the 4-year-old winning a further three races alongside the emergence of his younger sister Verry Elleegant.
She won two of her first three starts for Bishara before her sale to clients of Darren Weir’s stable and a debut second in Australia in the G2 Edward Manifold S., was followed up with victory in Saturday’s G3 Ethereal S., at Caulfield.
VRC Oaks favourite
Bishara and Verry Elleegant’s breeder Don Goodwin have remained in the ownership of the now G1 VRC Oaks favourite along with brothers John and Mark Carter and their sister Rachael, who operate under their Jomara Bloodstock banner.
Verry Ellegant's connections celebrating her win in the G3 ethereal S.
“I was 10 foot tall on Saturday night, but not so flash this morning,” Bishara said when TDN AusNZ caught up with him in Melbourne on Sunday morning.
“I’m just off to McDonalds for breakfast - back to reality - and then on the plane home.”
“I’m just off to McDonalds for breakfast - back to reality - and then on the plane home.” – Nick Bishara.
Verry Elleegant produced her trademark finish at Caulfield after being toward the back of the field at the top of the straight.
“It was terrific and she showed again she’s got a motor,” Bishara said. “She was nine lengths off them and pocketed, but once she got to the outside she went bang like she does.
Verry Ellegant showing her terrific turn of foot at Caulfield
“I originally bought the mare (Opulence) because her third dam is Cotehele House and the Eight Carat family. She won two races before she had a paddock injury and then Don bought her.
“She was put in foal to Towkay, Don was a share-holder in him, and the Zed mating then gave two lines of Cotehele House.” – Nick Bishara.
“She was put in foal to Towkay, Don was a share-holder in him, and the Zed mating then gave two lines of Cotehele House.
“Don and I became good friends and he offered me a share in Verry Flash and then I syndicated the filly (Verry Elleegant) among my owners.”
Three-time winner
The first foal Opulence produced by Towkay raced as Black Lace (NZ) and she won three races.
“Opulence dropped a colt by Zed last week and Black Lace went to Zed a month ago and she’s confirmed in foal so that will be a three-quarter brother or sister,” he said.
Bishara’s bold punt to remain in racing has paid off in spades and surrounded by a family that promises to keep the good times rolling.
Zed
