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The Thoroughbred Club – Will & Talia Sims

Meet owner Talia Sims and her horse, Will (race name Whispering Dream)

Here is a brief overview of  Will’s race history:

Will had one start but was retired due to roaring. When he left the track he can straight to me to begin his new life.

What is your story on how you came to own Will:

I love giving them a second chance at life.

What discipline does Will now excel:

Dressage

Personal story about Will:

He is very dirty and a character and likes to show his private parts the minute I get out of the saddle :) This makes cleaning for me very easy….otherwise he is very mouthy and plays with everything that’s within his reach so your tackbox will be empty very soon….

Thank you for your story on Will.

We at Thoroughbred Events Australia and The Thoroughbred Club wish you all the success in the world.
Because of you we know our beloved race horses are being cared for.

The Thoroughbred Club – Wagga Wagga & Natalie Conway

Meet owner Natalie Conway and her horse, Wagga Wagga (race name Glo Whirl)

Here is a brief overview of  Wagga Wagga’s race history:

He is so good they named him twice!! His race name is Glo Whirl, his EA name is Mercutio. Sired by Clear Choice. He gets his name Wagga because he raced in Wagga Wagga in Greg McDermotts stables for a while and even started in a few steeple chases too. He’s competed around the eastern states up to 1.20m SJ mostly with an amateur rider. While in Toowoomba competing in 2010, he survived a colic operation when they pulled 6 endoliths – each the size of a rockmelon – out of his intestines. Wagga was one of the first 10 horses to be diagnosed with equine flu when that was a huge epidemic and shut down all the shows. He’s taught numerous people how to ride and is often recognised at shows by people who have been in his life at some point!

What is your story on how you came to own Wagga Wagga:

I only met Wagga 3 months ago abs he’s completely changed my life. Wagga has given me the greatest gift of enabling me to reignite my long lost passion for horses. As an adult he’s given me purpose, confidence and improved my mental health in ways I never through the possible, I’m even competing in the SJ ring, thanks to him. Wagga is absolutely 1 in a million. Oh and I also know he’s irresistible to most mares (and some Stallions).

What discipline does Wagga Wagga now excel:

Show Jumping

Personal story about Wagga Wagga:

While in Toowoomba competing in 2010, he survived a colic operation when they pulled 6 endoliths – each the size of a rockmelon – out of his intestines!!

Thank you for your story on Wagga Wagga.

We at Thoroughbred Events Australia and The Thoroughbred Club wish you all the success in the world.
Because of you we know our beloved race horses are being cared for.

The Thoroughbred Club – Sharky

Meet owner A Williams and her horse, Sharky (race Recife Beach)

Here is a brief overview of  Sharky’s race history:
Sharky was only a baby when he arrived at our racing stables where I worked with him and also rode him track work and attended race meets with him, He won $100k in prize money from roughly 30 starts. He won he’s last race on Christmas Eve at scone where I strapped him.

What is your story on how you came to own Sharky:
When Sharky ran his final race the trainer contacted me and offered me to take him home and I did.

What discipline does Sharky now excel:
Hacking
Show Jumping

Personal story about Sharky:
He’s got so many quirks, He tries to eat the judges hats when awarded ribbons

Thank you for your story on Sharky.

We at Thoroughbred Events Australia and The Thoroughbred Club wish you all the success in the world.
Because of you we know our beloved race horses are being cared for.

The Thoroughbred Club – Tiger

Meet owner Tahlia Hurley and her horse, Tiger (race Easy Tiger)

Here is a brief overview of  Tiger’s race history:

Easy Tiger was born on the 17/09/2010 in New Zealand. He was bred out of St Reims and Zeparty girl. Tigers background consists mostly of American breed thoroughbreds but also traces of Irish, France, Australian and New Zealand. In 2012 at the Festival sale Tiger was sold to Phill Cataldo Bloodstock for $6000. He was trained at Peters Stables Ltd and went to his first race on the 10th September 2013. He completed his last race on the 22nd May 2014 with only winning $875 prize money in his whole career. He was then sent over to Australia to be rehomed.

Tahlia’s  story on how she came to own Tiger:

I got my first thoroughbred/ first horse when I was 17 right in the middle of my HSC. After having a thoroughbred on free lease during year 12 I fell in love with the bred and wanted a thoroughbred to continue eventing despite the reputation they have been given about being hot and hard to train to be supple due to there natural body build. I got Kuda and he was super quiet. He was a black 10 year old up the central coast and I fell in love with him the moment I cantered him. However the day I went to pick him up I was jumping him and he really jumped over a little oxer and I fell off. I looked at my mum and said “At least I have something to work on”. He was my first horse so taking him out was super exciting. He was very natural at dressage and he scored consistently high 60% to low 70%. Unfortunately he wasn’t going to make it to my 1* goal as he wasn’t always super consistent jumping and I needed that at the time. I went looking at horses and wanted a warmblood cross thoroughbred but when I tried Tiger I loved his spring in his step, his lightness off the ground and LOVED the jump. I missed my distance going into a 1.30m jump and he just sorted himself out and carried on I knew he was my big eventing chance. I loved him and mum surprised me with him about a week later.

What discipline does Tiger now excel:

Dressage
Show Jumping
Eventing

Personal story about Tiger:

I love my boys both so very much. I cant say i even have a favourite as they have very different personalities. Kuda is a snugly bug he loves having a cuddle and closing his eyes as you stroke his head. He will let anyone do it. He loves attention and he knows he is loved and adored. Tiger is harder to please you have to earn his trust. I was finishing up a ride one day and i was giving him a big hug because he was so good and i had finished and was about to get off him. I was lying down on his neck a second too long and he pulled his neck down to reach the grass and like a little kid does, i slipped down his neck over his head and ended up underneath him. He looked at me with this mysterious look as if he had no idea how i had magically gotten there.

Thank you Tahlia

We at Thoroughbred Events Australia and The Thoroughbred Club wish you all the success in the world.
Because of you we know our beloved race horses are being cared for.

The Thoroughbred Club – Bear

Meet owner Emily Cox and her horse, Bear (race name Bearskin)

Emily & Bear

Here is a brief overview of  Bearskin’s race history:

Bearskin was an August 2011 Real Saga Colt out of Devil Inside. Foaled at Glenlogan Park Stud and named after the Bearskin hats worn by the Queens Guards he was always destined for greatness. Purchased for $280,000 at the 2012 Magic Millions Yearling Sales by $116,000 in prize money upon retirement in July 2017. Gollan Racing and syndicate Bear was supposed to be the next big thing. But, luck was never on his side in racing, whether it be the wrong jockey, to soft or to hard a track or just Bear’s typical ‘can’t be bothered’ attitude it was not his destiny. All 17hh of Bear had 3 wins from 18 starts totalling.

Emily’s story on how she came to own Bearskin:

Funnily enough I wasn’t even looking for an OTT, or a Throughbred. I had an advanced dressage WB who I retired from competition and decided my heart lied in the Show Ring. I was looking for something seasoned and after about 6 months was in no luck. Jane Gollan (Gollan Racing) re-homes many OTT from QLD and often, the very pretty ones to friend of mine. When Jane sent them a photo of Bear, she knew he would be a future Hunter Hack, they didn’t want him as they preferred the open horses. Knowing how little success I was having, my friends passed Jane on to me and I took Bear on as a fun project until I found something. It’s turns out Bear has a destiny in the show ring, and boy does he know how to put on a show.

What discipline does Bearskin now excel:

Hacking

Personal story about Bearskin:

The first show I ever took Bear to, one of the biggest shows for young horses was the SHC Newcomer Horse of the Year in July 2018. He had not put a foot wrong all morning riding around the grounds before the class. He wasn’t naughty, just had plenty left in the tank and just as he was finally settling down, relaxing and working as he did at home the announcer comes over the loudspeaker and says “Good Morning Competitors, What a wonderful morning…..” and Bear launches himself 5 metres in front, full gallop and all I could do was get up into two-point and let him burn himself off again. I honestly had my stomach in my chest and said to my coach as he calmed down again, thank god I never had to ride him on the track, I’ve honestly never ridden anything so fast. But, turns out it was for the best as in his first class, at his first outing since the race track, Bear won Champion Newcomer Hunter Hack over 16hh and as they say, the rest is history. (The photo below is of Bear at his first show)

Thank you Emily

We at Thoroughbred Events Australia and The Thoroughbred Club wish you all the success in the world.

The Thoroughbred Club – Meet OTTB Doc Oliver

Doc Oliver is a great story of a 21 year old horse who is still going strong.

Anita Bridge got him in 2008 when he was rising 11 – obviously not straight off the track but we do know he racked up 17 starts in his racing career with two 3rds.

When Doc arrived, no reputation was known but it was not long before his naughty ways were relayed and a few stories started coming out that he used to dump his rider at the first fence, bolt around the course and stand outside the arena and rear.

However he took Anita through her juniors, young riders then from D Grade to A/B Grade pony club in 18 months. A couple of years ago he jumped 1.50m in a puissance.

Over the years Doc has had a few major injuries including a bowed tendon and joint infection. But nothing would hold him back – he always bounces back better then ever.

No matter how old he gets he still has all of his quirks especially his love for playing with his ball.

Doc doesn’t like water and has been eliminated when there was a small puddle on the landing side of a fence because he would have to get his hoof wet!!!! But he loves the hose and going to the beach.

He will still go to a show and decide that he doesn’t like a particular ride, a ride that he would have seen many times before. Anything then around that ride needs to be stopped at or run away from.

Doc amuses Anita with his “thing” about hats.  He just loves to pull them off your head and run off with them.

But best of all these days is Doc excels as a lead pony with the young ones around home.

Young off the track filly

This is one much loved  quirky thoroughbred.

The Thoroughbred Club – Meet OTTB Maxcee

Meet our off the track thoroughbred for this week – a gorgeous mare named Maxcee who is by Carbonfibre and out of Bismax.

Maxcee was born and trained in Ipswich Qld and was bought by Anita Bridge in 2010 when Maxcee was retired by the breeder/trainer who Anita was riding track work for.

While not the easiest to ride as she is very highly strung, Maxcee took to jumping like a fish to water.  Three months off the track and she was competing at 1.10m. 

Maxcee absolutely loves the water and nothing more invigorating for her than a swim. 

WARNING – You can’t clean her stable with her in it as you be squashed against a wall by and rump demanding for a scratch, a trait she has had all her life. 

A couple of years ago, Maxcee was in need of a good break and was sent to an imported Warmblood stallion called Cera Cassiago in 2016. She became an amazing mum producing a beautiful grey filly. 

Her first competition back after being weaned from her filly, she stepped straight back out at 1.15m jumping clean.

Maxcee now competes under the name of Genuine Princess and Anita plans to compete in her first World Cup qualifier at Caboolture this July/August.

Wishing both Anita and Maxcee a continued fabulous life together. 

 

The Thoroughbred Club – Speron D’Oro and his Royal Adelaide showing success!

On the 9th May 2007 a handsome bay Thoroughbred colt was born out of an Australian mare named COPA DE ORO and sired by champion stallion FLYING SPUR.  The colt was appropriately named SPERON D’ORO, which translates in Italian to ‘golden spur’.  

In 2009, SPERON D’ORO was sold as a yearling for a healthy $180,000 at the famous Inglis NSW Australian Easter Yearling Sales.  He was to be owned by Mr Scott Adams and his loving wife, Mrs Sue Adams who chose to put him into training at Hawkesbury with Gary Frazer who their son, Josh Adams, was apprentice to at the time.  It was during his time in training that the handsome bay picked up the nickname ‘Oreo’ as SPERON D’ORO proved to be too much of a mouthful when the lads and lasses started work at the stables at 4am!

As intended, Oreo and Josh teamed up at the races but unfortunately Oreo was too slow and retired at the age of 3 having only earned $1700 in prize money.  Despite not being particularly fast, Oreo was a beautiful mover with a handsome face which made the decision to choose his second career an easy one, as Sue and Scott both agreed he would make a wonderful show horse.

Due to Josh often being away at the races, his partner Jess Castle was the lucky recipient of Oreo to look after once Sue and Scott had re trained him for the show ring.  

Jess admits Oreo is a quirky horse, not at all naughty or nasty, but the type of horse you have to understand to work with.  The more their bond grew, the easier Jess was finding Oreo to re train as she soon found him a fastlearner.

Reflecting on when she was first introduced to Oreo, Jess beams “He has amazingly good looks and a real attitude about him that just completely draws your attention to him. He has an exquisite head and beautiful big eyes. He’s an excellent bodied horse and is well proportioned with lovely straight legs and flowing strides. He’s just a show horse through and through!”


Both Jess and Josh had always dreamed of competing at the Royal Adelaide Show due to its relaxed atmosphere and country show vibe.  It’s competitor
friendly feelencouraged them to enter six different classes over course the week, with their hopes not necessarily being to win, but to have the hours of hard work and training pay off, with Oreo working accurately and consistently in each individual class.  

On the day, Oreo was a dream and didn’t put a foot wrong.  “He truly tried his heart out for me” Jess gushes and the results speak for themselves…

NOVICE HACK 15.2hh- 16hh:  2nd place
OPEN HACK 15.2hh- 16hh:  3
rd place
LADIES HACK:  6
th place

LADY RIDER YEARS 21-30: 2nd place
OPEN HACK SHOWING TB QUALITIES:  Top 10
HEAVY WEIGHT OPEN HACK: 1
st place
RACEHORSE TO SHOW HORSE
:  Top 5
FASHIONS OFF THE TRACK:  3
rd place

The results they achieved were more than both Jess and Josh could have dreamt of and their pride and love for Oreo couldn’t be greater as he exceeded all expectations.

Looking ahead, Jess has set goals to qualify Oreo for the Grand Nationals in Sydney which is held in March and to win the Pope Cup at the Sydney Royal Easter Show which is for open hack geldings showing exceptional Thoroughbred qualities.  Outside of NSW, Jess looks to Melbourne where she would love to compete at the Garryowen Royal Melbourne Show.

It’s clear when speaking to the whole Adams family, including Jess, that Oreo is much more than an athlete to them, he’s also a family pet whom they all cherish and love so very dearly.  

We can’t congratulate them enough on their achievements and look forward to following them and their future success.

 

Words by Kiersten Duke

 

 

The Thoroughbred Club – Dydeedoe

The Thoroughbred Club is so special as we get to share good and rewarding stories.

Today we are sharing another success stories of our beloved racehorse transitioning into a new career.  This story is so close to our heart as The Thoroughbred Club put a Call out to their followers and within 20 minutes we had a hit!!!! Now Dydeedoe is going to live out her days as a nanny.  Here is her success story of her life.

Below are the kind words from Jeannette & Cress Dawson.

It all started in the backyard having a BBQ with friends – “Let’s get a racehorse!”.

James Bester had shares available in a King of Kings yearling filly to be trained by David Payne. It was love at first sight (the filly), and 4 of us went into the world of racehorse ownership. Dydee didn’t quite work out in the city and went to Neil Godbolt in Port Macquarie, where she had a win and placed twice.

The decision was made to try our hand at breeding. We had little money to spend on stallions, but with research and luck Dydeedoe produced 3 winners and 2 place getters including Ajax Stakes Gr 2 winner Havana Rey (King Cugat), trained by Bjorn Baker. Dydeedoe has spent time with Karen Irwin at Riverslea, and for the last 10 years has been with Louise Ellis, Argyle Thoroughbreds, at Panuara. A big thank you to Louise who has looked after Dydeedoe and all her progeny over the years. The last foal from Dydeedoe is a Choisir gelding, who hopefully will hit the track this year.

Dydee’s new career as a nanny will be a fitting retirement for a lovely mare.

How The Thoroughbred Club Was Born

It was an absolute delight discussing The Thoroughbred Club with Hannah Brooks.  Hannah is a very talented woman.  A writer by trade but her passion for equestrian is contagious and we surely do get over excited together.

We actually videoed this a while back but it was great to put it together and reminisce on how it all began and why.

The Thoroughbred Club is successfully only due to the generosity and passion of so many people who love thoroughbreds.  But it has now become more than the thoroughbred – it now includes the people who are involved – whether receiving an award, donating a prize, sponsoring a horse, or sponsoring The Thoroughbred Club in their continued work – it is your enthusiasm and love that continually excites me.

All I ask is that you continue to support in any capacity you can – and I mean that – no matter how small or large.  If you can attend an event – fabulous; if you can donate – you are a gem, if you can come and support a polo game/ a race day/a show jumping day – it means you are helping and we are all making a difference.

Soon I will have products for you to purchase with 100% of the profits going to The Thoroughbred Club.  This too will also allow us to continue our amazing sponsorship program at more events.

I feel that our sponsorship program will take priority as we continue to spread the word on who we are.

I know we can do this.  We can all make a difference.  And it is because WE CARE!!!!!

For any assistance, contact Sharon Lenton at events@thoroughbredeventsaus.com.au or at contacts on
Thoroughbred Events Australia website.