Millicent hobby horse breeder Andrew Nitschke has just achieved the thrill of his 14-year career.


Rey Magnerio was bred on his Millicent farm six years ago and won the biggest purse of his career at Caulfield in Melbourne on Saturday.


The brown gelding had previously won seven races from 17 starts but Saturday’s Group Two victory surpassed the others with a winner’s cheque of $180,000.


The Rubiton Stakes was raced over 1100m and the latest triumph took its career earnings to almost $830,000.


Nitschke has long had an interest in the Sport of Kings and been a part-owner in several thoroughbreds.


His breeding program has since produced 20 horses.


“I sold Rey Magnerio as an unraced and unnamed two-year-old to its trainer Robbie Griffiths,” Nitschke said.


“They like horses with Magnus as its sire.”


He was unable to be trackside on the weekend but bet an undisclosed sum on Rey Magnerio.


Nitschke was attending the Pink Stumps charity cricket match at Norm Facey Oval in Millicent.


His son Mitchell Nitschke captained the winning team over the Naracoorte Townies.


Cricket was briefly forgotten by the large spectator base when Rey Magnerio’s race was telecast in the Facey Oval rooms.


Nitschke won three best and fairest league medals in the former Western Border Football League and is nowadays a senior umpire and Junior Academy coach.