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.

This is one much loved  quirky thoroughbred.