The thrill.The excitement.The glory.The prestige.The money.A love of horses.Friendships.All reasons for getting involved in thoroughbred horse racing.For many, though, they are in the sport because of an even greater passion _ family.Family is certainly a big factor in the stable of veteran owner-trainer Barry James.He races each horse in his small team in partnership with his wife Lois and six children Anita (Frawley), Kelly (Amoore), Lisa (McDonald), Gavin, Brendan and Glen.James said family had long been a big a part of racing for him."There's no bigger family day in racing than (Ballarat) cup day," he said.And what a day it will be if Sylvan O'Reilly can salute for the James family in the listed $121,000 BMW Ballarat Cup, 2200m, today.Sylvan O'Reilly is almost guaranteed to have the biggest fan club on course and there is no question it will erupt if the five-year-old is a winning chance in the closing stages.James has been training more than 50 years and had a number of Ballarat Cup runners, but "I've never got close".Top class mare and multiple group winner Sylvaner provided his best chance in 2003, but the burden of carrying the top weight was too much for her.James said there would be nothing like winning his home cup.While pleased to have a runner, he is well aware of the task in front of Sylvan O'Reilly, which won the Ararat Gold Cup at his latest start."It's nice to have a runner and be able to support the Ballarat Turf Club."He said while the Ballarat Cup was tougher than the Ararat Gold Cup, with the right run Sylvan O'Reilly was "some sort of chance" down the weights.James said everything fell into place at Ararat, with jockey Steven Vella being able to get to the front, slow down the pace and do as he liked.He is looking to Sylvan O'Reilly to lead today."Ideally he'll be up on the pace with a trail."Then we'll see what happens," he said.James said having stepped up to 2000m at his past couple of runs, Sylvan O'Reilly would be suited by the 2200m."He's come to handle nicely over the longer distances and can stay."As well as breeding his own racing stock, James has also been a regular at New Zealand sales for some years and Sylvan O'Reilly was a purchase on one of those visits.He purchased the son of O'Reilly on the recommendation of Dr Kim McKellar. James takes the veterinary surgeon with him to NZ for advice and to ensure his purchases are sound.It proved to be good advice with Sylvan O'Reilly now with six wins in 18 starts.James and his family is hoping today provides a lucky seventh victory.