For Andy Twist, founder of Affinity Thoroughbred Racing (ATR), this business started as a love story with the sport itself.
I was born in the UK but moved to Australia when I was eight. I’ll never forget my first Melbourne Cup Day – a day off school for a horse race?! What a country! I fell in love with racing there and then.”
For over 15 years, Andy raced and bred horses while balancing a corporate career in sales, marketing, and management. But a pivotal conversation with his then 17-year-old son changed everything:
I told him that if he finds his passion, he’ll never work a day in his life. I realised I had to follow my own advice.”
Andy walked away from corporate life and jumped headfirst into the industry, taking on a Racing Manager role at Flemington. It was a gamble with no formal background, no prior experience – but it paid off. After learning everything from strapping horses to race placement strategy, he knew it was time to build something of his own.
That something became Affinity Thoroughbred Racing: a syndication business rooted in passion, connection, and community.
Table of Contents
The ATR Philosophy: Owners First
Andy’s philosophy was shaped by his early frustrations as an owner:
When owners get more invoices than updates, something’s broken. This is meant to be exciting.”
ATR was built to flip the ownership experience on its head:
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Elite communication – Written, video, and audio updates keep owners connected.
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Personal touches – Andy personally calls every owner before every race.
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Shared stakes – ATR keeps a share in every horse. When you win, we win too.
We want every owner to feel like part of the team, no matter the size of their share.”
Selecting Horses: The ‘Wow!’ Factor
Andy blends data, intuition, and a meticulous process when choosing ATR’s horses:
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Breeding first – Only sires with Group 1 wins or proven Group 1 progeny make the shortlist. Broodmares must have winners on the board, ideally at a 50%+ strike rate.
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Physical inspections – Alongside bloodstock agent Tommy Schulte, ATR inspects each yearling three times before making a decision.
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The ‘Wow!’ test – If Andy writes “Wow!” in the sale book, the horse makes the final shortlist. No wow, no deal.
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Value-driven buys – ATR doesn’t buy “cheap” horses; they buy bargains that hit strict criteria and fit client-friendly budgets.
The worst reason to buy a horse is because it’s cheap. Every horse has to tick all the boxes — breeding, type, and potential.”
Suparazi: The Million-Dollar Bargain
ATR’s flagship success story is Suparazi:
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Purchased for $15,000 after being passed in at two sales
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Winner of 7 races and over $1 million in prizemoney
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Stakes-placed three times
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5th in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap
The experience for our Owners has been amazing. It’s been an amazing ride for everyone. The friendships and the memories that we have shared together will stay with us forever.
From a maiden at Benalla to Caulfield Guineas Day, Cox Plate Day, and the Group 1 Newmarket — Suparazi proves you don’t need deep pockets to live this dream.”
The ATR Family: More Than Ownership
Joining ATR isn’t just about buying a share — it’s about belonging.
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Equal experience – Whether you own 2.5% or 25%, your journey is the same.
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Always connected – Weekly updates, monthly newsletters, and personal calls keep owners in the loop.
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Community-first approach – Even owners without a Suparazi share feel like they’re part of his story. They feel part of the journey and that is exactly the environment that we wanted to create when founding ATR.
Looking Ahead: Big Goals, Big Dreams
ATR has its eyes on a blockbuster future:
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Mukatila – A Flying Artie filly debuting in November
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Suparazi – Targeting elite sprint races this Spring Carnival
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New bloodstock – A growing stable of well-bred young horses ready to make their mark
The friendships, the adrenaline, the memories — that’s what it’s all about. And we’re just getting started.”
Why Choose Affinity Thoroughbred Racing?
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A passion-first philosophy rooted in real owner experiences
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Hands-on communication unmatched in the industry
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A value-driven approach that finds big results without big price tags
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A vibrant community where every owner feels included
Affinity Thoroughbred Racing in Three Words:
Passion. Connection. Trust.
Interested in joining their community?
Explore available horses on the Stridyl Ownership Marketplace.
