07/01/2026
Buchanan Eyes Stylish Upset As Tribute To 'Gifted' Bronte
By Ray Hickson
He’s the longshot that every punter would happily cheer on to victory at Wyong this weekend.
Stylebender doesn’t know he’s a $151 chance or the significance of his presence in the Bronte Simpson Memorial Midway (1600m) but his trainer Kristen Buchanan certainly does.
And if he somehow was able to win it would bring more than a tear to her eye.
He’s the horse that gave the young apprentice, who tragically died a few days before Christmas in a car accident aged 24, her biggest thrill in racing – the first career win, back in May at Muswellbrook, at her very first race ride.
In fact, both horses Simpson won on for the Wyong trainer are in action at the Wyong meeting with Justice Warrior engaged in the De Bortoli Wines Handicap (1300m).
“It’s serendipity that the Midway has been named after her, it’s fitting but it’s so sad,’’ Buchanan said.
“She was Sara Ryan’s apprentice (when Stylebender won at Muswellbrook) but she used to come and ride for me every day when she was ready to branch out a bit. She was a big part of our stable.
“I had a lot of time for her, I thought she had huge future as a rider. She was naturally gifted.”
Simpson was unbeaten in two rides on Stylebender, that Muswellbrook win and at Kembla Grange back in July.
Buchanan revealed she’d been in touch with the apprentice as she was getting Stylebender ready to return to the track with a view to having her ride the eight-year-old this preparation.
It may not have been this Wyong race first-up, as she hadn't ridden in a metro race previously, but she was keen for their association to continue.
The trainer said it’s wonderful the club has chosen to remember Bronte with a race on their richest meeting and is hoping for some divine intervention.
“I didn’t think it would be very long before she would have been riding at provincial grade,’’ she said.
“She had an inner strength, was very softly spoken but she was so good with horses and a very steely resolve to achieve the things she wanted to do.
“You never know when you’re not going to see somebody again. It’s a wakeup call.”
There’s normally not a lot of room for sentiment or omen when it comes to winning a race and Stylebender is considered an outsider but Buchanan said he could surprise a few.
It was the first time in the gelding’s career that he’d won first-up when Simpson scored her breakthrough win and she said his preparation for Wyong has been faultless.
“It was 1500m first-up when Bronte won on him last prep, he’s had a good lead up with his two trials,’’ she said.
“Obviously he steps out in stronger company in a Midway race. He’s so clean winded and he’s very effective fresh, so I expect him to run well.”
Apprentice Shannen Llewellyn rides both Stylebender and Justice Warrior for Buchanan at Wyong.
Justice Warrior, who Simpson rode to a maiden win at Tamworth in early July, brings a strong record on his home track into his assignment and was an all the way winner at his third run back at Wyong on December 20.
“He loves the track, the form around him is pretty good,’’ Buchanan said.
“There’ll be a bit of on speed pressure and will have to overcome that, I don’t think he has to lead and can be where he’s comfortable.
“Hopefully Bronte’s up there punching them both out for me.”
