A new chapter for Bet N Win

While David and Stacey White are incredibly grateful for the ride Bet N Win has taken them on, there is still an underlying sense of what might have been.

The dual Group 1 winner has been retired after it was determined his chances of returning to the elite level of racing were slim.

“It’s heart-breaking,” Stacey says. “We know how good he is and we all got a glimpse of that. It’s disappointing for him that he didn’t get to continue to show people what he was truly capable of.”

At his best, Bet N Win was right up there with the best trotters in Australasia.

He won seven races in a row on both sides of the Tasman in 2023 and 2024, a run that established him as a genuine open-class trotter.

Then came his biggest victory, the Group 1 Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park. He followed that with two Inter Dominion heat wins in Brisbane before finishing a brave second to Arcee Phoenix in the Final.

Driver Bob Butt played a key role in helping him reach those heights.

“Bob Butt played a huge part in his success. It wasn’t just what he did with him in the sulky, but also the time Kenny spent at Bob’s stable throughout his career,” Stacey says.

“Bob was a massive part of his development, and I don’t think he would have become the horse he was without him.”

But after a few below-par performances earlier this year, the Whites sensed something wasn’t right.

A bone scan eventually found an issue with his fetlocks. After several months of rest and rehabilitation, there was renewed hope that Bet N Win might return to racing before another setback, this time involving a hind suspensory, changed the picture.

“They are not related,” Stacey says. “It’s just very unfortunate.”

The injury was serious enough for the Whites to make the difficult call to retire him.

“The chances of him making a full recovery and getting back to the level he would need to be at to do himself justice are very slim. It would be a huge ask.”

Bred by Breckon Farms, Bet N Win was purchased by the Whites for $32,500 at the 2021 National Yearling Sale at Karaka.

He retires with 15 wins from just 34 starts and $562,235 in stakes.

For the Whites, though, the numbers only tell part of the story.

“The biggest thank you has to go to our owners,” Stacey says. “They backed us every step of the way, from taking a share in him after we purchased him at the sales right through until we made the decision to retire him.

“Getting to enjoy all the highs with this group has made the experience even more special for us.”

“He’s been a life and career-changing horse for us.”

The Whites had hoped Bet N Win still had plenty more to give on the racetrack, but they are determined to give him the retirement he has earned.

“He owes us nothing. It has been a privilege to train him and he has taught us so much that we can take forward in our training careers. Now it’s our turn to look after him and give him the retirement he deserves.”

And the horse they call Kenny won’t be going far.

Bet N Win will remain with the Whites at Ashburton Raceway and is already beginning his transition into life away from racing.

“We put the saddle on him for the first time this week and eventually he’ll be a riding horse for our two boys. He is, and always will be, part of the family.”

David put it rather more simply.

“He’ll be the paddock pet.”