Owner of the Month – September – Sandra Marks

Friendly, passionate and a familiar face around the racing scene, Sandra “Sandy” Marks is someone who embodies the enjoyment and enthusiasm that makes racehorse ownership so special. Even better, her love for the sport is something she shares with her daughter, Charnel, making their partnership one we always enjoy seeing at the races.

Sandy is currently involved in five horses, all owned in partnership with Charnel. The pair’s horses are proudly represented by Weiho and Warrick Marwing, a yard they moved to following the passing of Stanley Ferreira in 2019. “We moved the horses to the Marwing yard after Stanley Ferreira’s passing in 2019 and are tremendously happy,” says Sandy. “In another partnership, we also had a brief stay with Paul Peter and Sean Tarry.”

For Sandy, however, racing is much more than a hobby – it is part of her family history. She was quite literally born into the sport, with her late father having been an owner, trainer and breeder. One family story in particular has remained with her. Her father bred a horse in the backyard stables at their home which went on to win the Chairman’s Handicap – a remarkable achievement that Sandy heard about long before her own involvement in racing. “I was told the story, together with many more,” she says, reflecting on the racing memories that have been passed down through her family.

Away from the racecourse, Sandy is a qualified Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and describes herself as very people-oriented, something she says she thoroughly enjoys. Family remains an important part of her life, and she particularly enjoys spending time with Charnel and her friends, as well as her nephew and niece. She also enjoys the occasional casino visit.

But it is the horses themselves that continue to capture her heart. “The horse is a most beautiful athlete and I love the sound of the hooves on turf and the thrill of witnessing a good run from our horses,” she says.

That thrill reached a memorable high in 2019 when Sandy celebrated one of her most treasured racing victories with BONDIBLU’s win in the Racing Association Handicap. For any owner, there is something uniquely special about watching a horse in which you have invested your time, passion and emotion cross the finish line first.

Having been a member of the Racehorse Owners Association since 2010, Sandy has also enjoyed being part of the ROA family for the past 16 years. Asked about her time with the Association, her response perfectly captures the personal connection that comes with being part of the ownership community: “Definitely enjoyed feeling a little special.”

Sandy’s journey is a wonderful reminder that racing is often about more than winners and trophies. It is about family, friendships, memories and the extraordinary horses that bring everyone together. And seeing Sandy and Charnel sharing that passion makes their involvement in the sport all the more special.

As racing continues to evolve, Sandy believes the industry is already moving in the right direction. Her enthusiasm for the sport remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to seeing much more of this mother-daughter partnership at the races.

We thank Sandy and Charnel for their continued support and look forward to welcoming them into the Equora family.