A local father of the groom has received mixed reviews following his wedding speech last Saturday.

Gary Sprocket, 57, leant heavily into his passion for the ‘sport of Kings’ when toasting the marriage of his son Shane, 32, to new daughter-in-law Jamie.

A wedding attendee, who spoke to this publication under the cloak of anonymity, said that while the groom’s family enjoyed many of the racing references, the bridal party appeared visibly uncomfortable throughout Gary’s four-minute speech.

“He said that Jamie ‘went straight into Shane’s blackbook’ after their very first date, which I think was misinterpreted,” the source said.

It is understood Gary also described Jamie as a “fast but classy mare” and “the second best thing to come out of the west after Miss Andretti”.

“You could tell Jamie was annoyed, she kept giving Shane ‘looks’. I just don’t think she was expecting to be repeatedly compared to a horse at her own wedding.”

The wedding insider said Gary’s ‘big finale’ also failed to win over the mostly non-racing crowd. 

“He referred to the married couple’s hotel suite as ‘the breeding shed’ and said he hoped Shane wouldn’t end up ‘firing blanks like Mouawad’.”

More to follow.