When his first huge moment in thoroughbred racing came, Jamie Richards was surrounded by family.
And that is why the emotion came for the Mosgiel-bred 26-year-old at Riccarton on Saturday as Xtravagant produced a stunning turn of foot to win the group 1 2000 Guineas by 8 lengths.
Richards only teamed up with Stephen Autridge as co-trainers for Te Akau in May, and is already a group 1 winning-trainer six months later.
Richards' parents, Paul and Leanne, will be at Riccarton on Wednesday and were extremely proud parents when the Otago Daily Times contacted them.
Both sets of grandparents were on hand to watch the race, including his maternal grandparents, Garry and Lorraine McDonnell, who raced 1985 2000 Guineas winner Random Chance.
''I sat in the stands with Grandma and Grandad and they won it with Random Chance - it's huge,'' Richards said as he tried to keep his emotions in check.
Richards stood quietly behind the presentation area 15 minutes after the race as he tried to soak in not only his first group 1 as a trainer, but the enormity of Xtravagant's win as he pulled away over the last 400m.
''We thought we had him pretty right - we never expected him to do it like that,'' Richards said.
Richards joined the Te Akau operation as racing manager in March last year, and said the platform created by David Ellis, Mark Walker and Karyn Fenton-Ellis was first-class.
''To join up with Steve who has had so much success is a massive buzz and you couldn't ask for any better horses,'' Richards said.
''David spends so much time going and sourcing them and the breeders send us some lovely horses as well. I'm just very lucky to have landed where I have.''
In Autridge, Richards has a great mentor to bounce ideas off - and to share the media duties that come with running a large stable.
''He's a pretty laidback sort of bloke. Nothing's too much of a worry,'' Richards said.
''We talk about everything. We sit down, have a coffee and go through the lists most mornings. It's definitely working really well.''
Xtravagant was a $375,000 purchase at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock premier sale with his price no doubt bumped up due to being a full brother of top galloper He's Remarkable.
However, that hefty price now looks like money well spent, with a stud career all but confirmed for Xtravagant after the quickest 2000 Guineas this century.
''He's sealed himself a career at stud now. You don't see too many horses win the 2000 Guineas like that,'' Richards said.
So the most important question. Can Wingatui and Mosgiel take a share of this phenomenal win?''I think so - I'm from there - that's all right, isn't it?'' Richards laughed.
Te Akau also provided a moment to savour for Willow Glen Stud when Madam Jamai, by Waimate-based stallion Minstrel Court, won the rating 75 1100m.
''Barry and Dierdre Neville-White have been long-time owners of mine,'' David Ellis said.
''I gave them one of my services to Minstrel Court and they bred this horse. She's a filly with a bit of class.''
