Syndicate spokesman Ron Barron, a former long serving Executive member of Harness Racing New Zealand, advises that the syndicate was registered on 19 September 1969, along with the gold and black colours of the Pirates Rugby Club.

Readers might have picked up already that Setarip is Pirates spelt backwards. All 20 members of the Syndicate were players, ex players or supporters of the time-honoured rugby club in Invercargill.

The original members were Ted McDowell (manager), Ted Mortimer, Neville McCorkindale and Andy Bain (authorized members).

Norman Shaw, Jim Ross, Murray Heaps, Geoff Murphy, Vin Nally, Ray Harper, Don Thomas, Bob McDowell, Bob Gaines, Ian Galt, Bob Cundall, Wattie McKinnell, Owen Brown, Bill McKinnon, Joe Wilson and Clark Neil were other original members.

Current manager Joe Wilson, Ted Mortimer, Neville McCorkindale and Clark Neil are original members who are still members today.

In the 1990-91 season, because of a loss of members, the syndicate took on 12 new members that included Ron Barron, the father of horsemen brothers, Clark, Ken and Tony, as secretary and trainer.

"The syndicate has been brilliant to train for,'' Ron Barron said yesterday.

"The syndicate members are most co-operative and work in harmoniously with me.''

The multiple ownership concept also generated a widespread and enjoyable social environment.

During the 2000s, it was necessary to take on further new members to bolster the ranks.

The current members are additional to the four originals:-Paul Wilson, Ron Barron, John Woodger, Daryl Burgess, Colin Telfer, Trevor Tomlins, Stu Oughton, John Archer, Terry Egerton, Mark Smith, Garry Tippett, Bruce Campbell, Peter Forde, Wayne and Ross Mc Cullough, Paul Challis, Colin Sanford and Allan Moss.

Six members won representative rugby honours for Southland.

Ian Galt was a member of the famous 1929 team that lifted the Ranfurly Shield off the All Black studded Wairarapa.

Ray Harper was an All Black manager and Southland coach and Vin Nally, Murray Brown and Trevor Tomlins played for Southland.

Wattie Mc Kinnell was a top referee of his era who officiated in many important matches.

Jack Burke trained the syndicate's first horse Amyous Leigh (unsuccessful) in 1969.

It cost $22 per week to train a horse then. A cover cost $17 and a setoff hopples $46.

Many horses were tried unsuccessfully before the first to score in 1978 was Hispaniola who, trained and driven by Lynn Thomas, won at the Riverton meeting held at Winton.

Twelve years lapsed before Rojanaire and Rebel Shooter won at Invercargill.

Subsequent winners have been Quality Time (3), Torque Lobell, Waibahe Ash, Rocking Lilly (2), Crystal Folly, Most Happy Lavros, Rocky Mountaineer, Sly Romance (2) and Stay Cool Babe.

Evidence that races are hard to win is reflected in 40 years of trying for 16 race wins.

Besides Barron and Thomas, others who trained for the syndicate were Jack Burke, Denis Nyhan, Jim Williamson, Keith Barclay, Henry Skinner and Alex Milne sen and jun.

"Although the syndicate has posted only 16 wins in 40 years, some current members have enjoyed outstanding success with their other horses,'' Barron said.

Wayne McCullough and wife Allison raced Derby placegetter Vi Et Animo (9 wins) and Mark and Debbie Smith owned Sly Shard (4 wins) and bred multiple Gr 1 winner Smiling Shard, the national juvenile record holder at 1:53.5.

Regular driver Clark Barron owns half of top producer Joyfulbelle, who is the dam of crack Jewels winning filly Joyfuljoy.

The Setarip Syndicate will celebrate 40 years at the Makarewa Town and Country Club on 20 September.

Don WRIGHT