Ex-racehorses prove a winner in new arena
EQUESTRIAN: It is a case of winners all round as Toowoomba racing industry members and The Glennie School combine to provide thoroughbreds with a career away from the race track.
The ongoing education and re-housing of ex-racehorses is continuing to expand in equine circles with the backing of OffTrack Thoroughbreds and now the sponsorship support of racing participants.
Four members of Glennie’s Queensland champion equestrian team — Sarah Coggan, Lucy Stanford, Mia Nolan and Grace Muirhead — who attended yesterday’s sponsorship announcement, each compete on thoroughbreds.
Darling Downs Interschool Equestrian president Paul Reedy said growing support from within the racing industry is another welcome step in helping promote the after-racing welfare of horses.
“It’s a natural progression from racing into equestrian for the overwhelming majority of thoroughbreds,” Reedy said.
“These girls here today have all re-homed Off-Track Thoroughbred horses and they just love them.
“There’s a little stigma out there sometimes about thoroughbreds.
“Some see racehorses and they think they are no good for people. But these young girls have been riding thoroughbreds all their life.
“We approached Toowoomba Turf Club about the possibility of sponsoring our upcoming Glennie Interschool Equestrian event and they are getting behind the weekend.
“Trainer Michael Nolan is naming rights sponsor while jockey Skye Bogenhuber and Clear Mountain Fairview Stud are sponsors of the Off-Track Thoroughbred section.
“All four facets of racing have come together to show the importance of thoroughbreds in equestrian and making sure they have a good life after they finish racing.”
Michael Nolan became aware of the potential to reeducate thoroughbreds through his daughter’s equestrian involvement.
“Mia joined the Glennie equestrian team last year and going to different events I saw a lot of the thoroughbreds competing,” Nolan said.
“I thought there is a whole heap of horses I see at the track every morning that can do this when they finish racing.
“So we keep an eye out all the time for an off-tracker that people might want to re-home and then we teach them the disciplines needed.
“This has become a huge thing now and it will only continue to get bigger.”