Christin Schotten Interview: A special bond with So Si Bon

Justin Darcy

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Last updated: 06 Oct 2021

Justin Darcy 06 Oct 2021

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Christin Schotten has a special bond with glamour gelding So Si Bon
So Si Bon is renowned in racing for his dashing looks like his sire So You Think
Check out our interview with Christin Schotten as she talks about So Si Bon

So Si Bon & Christin Schotten.

The 25-year-old Christin Schotten has been involved with horses since she was a young girl...and now there is one special galloper in her heart - So Si Bon.

Schotten was riding ponies and involving herself in equestrian events such as dressage but took up a keen interest in racing at the age of 12 when often around racehorses at home.

Christin had previously ridden in races herself in Germany at the age of 15, but thought that a move to Australia would be best for her future in racing.

In 2015, Christin began work for team Ellerton & Zahra, before undertaking work for Godolphin where she found herself working in Newmarket in the United Kingdom and Australia, understanding the operations of the powerhouse stable.

The Beginning Of A Beautiful Relationship

Not too long later, Christin made the move to Lindsay Park Euroa doing some farm work, before her eyes were well and truly taken by a stable pick-up, a son of So You Think, So Si Bon.

So Si Bon began his career with Robbie Laing where he contested a Caulfield Guineas, VRC Derby and Sandown Classic as a spring three-year-old before placing third in the Group One Rosehill Guineas as an Autumn three-year-old.

At the end of 2017, So Si Bon was transferred to Lindsay Park Racing, forming what is now a special bond with Christin Schotten.

Naughty Little Entire

"When he first came to Lindsay Park, he was a naughty little entire, you just could not miss him," Christin said.

"He would call out and make sure that everyone knew that he was present, whether it be at the stables or at the races.

"He was just always putting on a big show."

Bon Bon

After just five starts for Lindsay Park, "Bon Bon" as Christin nicknamed him, was given a gelding operation which turned his career around, along with his outlandish stable and raceday behaviour.

"He is so beautiful now and you cannot look away," Christin mentioned.

"Bon Bon just catches your eye.

"He has such a spunky personality and that's what got me."

Having been known for his stunning similarities to sire So You Think, So Si Bon became a gelding that simply loves attention and affection from not only Christin and fellow stablehands, but also the general public who love and adore him at the races.

"He loves the attention, whether it's me or someone walking into the stable," Christin said.

"People come up to him at the races, so I take him out so they can pat him and he loves it.

"He is just such a loving horse."

The Story: So Si Bon Pictures

Back to Gallery

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 17: Strapper Christin Schotten with So Si Bon after winning Race 4, the Irt Vobis Gold Mile, during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on April 17, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 17: Strapper Christin Schotten gives So Si Bon a kiss after winning Race 4, the Irt Vobis Gold Mile, during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on April 17, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 17: William Pike riding So Si Bon winning Race 4, the Irt Vobis Gold Mile, during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on April 17, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 06: Mark Zahra riding So Si Bon (L) defeats Pretty Brazen and Holbien in Race 3, the Furphy Ale March Stakes, during Melbourne Racing at Flemington Racecourse on March 06, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 06: Mark Zahra riding So Si Bon defeats Pretty Brazen and Holbien in Race 3, the Furphy Ale March Stakes, during Melbourne Racing at Flemington Racecourse on March 06, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 23: Damian Lane riding Iconoclasm defeats Mark Zahra riding So Si Bon in Race 4, the Chandler Macleod Vobis Gold Star, during Melbourne Racing on Manikato Stakes night at Moonee Valley Racecourse on October 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 10: Jockey Luke Nolen riding So Si Bon after winning race 8, Aurie

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 10: Jockey Luke Nolen riding So Si Bon wins race 8, Aurie

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 09: Jockey William Pike riding So Si Bon after Race 8, TAB Australian Cup during Melbourne Racing at Flemington Racecourse on March 09, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 26: So Si Bon after winning Race 6, MRC Lord Stakes during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on December 26, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 02: Ben Allen riding Fifty Stars defeats Luke Nolen riding So Si Bon in Race 7, Blamey Stakes during Melbourne Racing at Flemington Racecourse on March 02, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Damian Lane riding So Si Bon finishing 3rd in Race 5 during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on September 23, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

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So Si Bon Memories

The winner of seven races for Lindsay Park, one of Christin's fondest memories came in 2019, where Bon Bon was sent out as a $21 shot in the Group Three Auries Star on a very wet day at Flemington.

"It was a typical Melbourne day, pretty overcast and wet," Christin stated.

"He won and straight after the race it just started pouring down.

"There are so many photos of him and I drowned in the rain, just loving each other's attention and the photos."

So Si Bon also has a very soft side to him behind the scenes, including a little pat that Christin gives him when he is on his best behaviour.

"I love the funny face he pulls when you give him head scratches," Christin remarked.

"He almost smiles and it's quite funny."

So Si Bon will have start number 68 in Saturday's Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

So Si Bon Background

Trainer: Ben & JD Hayes

Owner: Mr H A Petrie, Mrs N Stamatis, Mr N J Polglaze, Mr P S Zeccola, Mr M Curry, Mr J Wilson, Mrs J Daffey, Mr J Stamatis, Mr D A Wilson, Mr L Gowers, Mr J Baranello, Mr K Daffey, Simanna Racing

Colour: Brown or Black

Age: 8yo

Sex: Gelding

Prize Money: $1,845,535

Foal Date: 02/10/2013

Sire: So You Think

Dam: Black Minx

Sire of Dam: Lonhro

So Si Bon Wins

15 September 2016 - Pakenham Synthetic - O'Brien Real Estate 3yo Maiden Plate
26 December 2018 - Caulfield - MRC Lord Stakes (LR)
10 August 2019 - Flemington - Aurie's Star Handicap (G3)
18 April 2020 - Caulfield - Vobis Gold Mile
09 May 2020 - Caulfield - Bert Bryant Handicap
14 November 2020 - Sandown Hillside - Nick Johnstone Real Estate Eclipse Stakes (G3)
06 March 2021 - Flemington - Furphy Ale March Stakes (LR)
17 April 2021 - Caulfield - Vobis Gold Mile