- A-list actor Matt Damon owns a gelding named Dale
- A three-year-old boy won his first race in Tamworth on Thursday
- Named after the character in the comedy film Step Brothers.
It was a case of Good Will Punting when the horse owned by A-star Matt Damon waved at a maiden in Tamworth, northeastern New South Wales, on Thursday.
The $1.50 favorite Dale, named after the character from the iconic comedy film Step Brothers, was in trouble early in the card's fourth race before the gelding won by nearly a length.
Dale, who triumphed in his fifth career start, is part-owned by Damon, 54, and his daughter Isabella.
Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich train the promising three-year-old in Scone, in the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales.
Having a famous Hollywood actor with shares in Dale has been an unforgettable experience for Messara.
The way he ended up training Dale remains a source of amusement for Messara.
It was a case of Good Will Punting when the horse owned by A-star Matt Damon (pictured) waved at a maiden in Tamworth on Thursday.
The $1.50 favorite Dale, named after the character (pictured right) from the iconic comedy film Step Brothers, was in trouble early in the fourth race on the card before the gelding won by almost a body.
Damon owns part of the gelding, while his daughter Isabella has shares in the three-year-old.
The Hollywood star loves a day at the track (pictured right, at Derby Day at Flemington in 2023)
“It's actually a bit of a long story,” Messara told SEN Radio.
“It was one night in Los Angeles and I got a phone call saying we had this great idea and we wanted to buy a horse, but the stipulation is that it has to be named Dale.
'The story goes that Matt and his daughter basically bonded during their teenage years watching the movie Step Brothers, starring the two characters Dale and Brennan.
“Dale is his favorite.”
It is understood Messara met Damon through a mutual friend, Paul O'Brien, who also has shares in Dale.
Messara first met Damon at the Melbourne Cup Carnival two years ago and the pair hit it off instantly.
“The only thing about Matt Damon is that he doesn't know he's Matt Damon,” Messara said. News Corporation.
“He just wants to enjoy the fun and jokes that come with owning a racehorse.”
Damon is an Oscar-winning actor who has starred in films such as Good Will Hunting, Saving Private Ryan, the Jason Bourne and Ocean trilogies, The Talented Mr Ripley and Ford v Ferrari.