Pony racing proving the perfect introduction to racing for young equestrians
As the old saying goes, you’ve got to start them young.
Since its recent introduction, pony racing is proving to be a novel and effective way of giving talented junior equestrians a soft introduction to the thoroughbred industry.
On Friday night Moonee Valley hosted a 600 metre race for ten Victorian riders sourced through Pony Club Australia and, win lose or draw, their beaming faces told the story.
It was a huge hit not only with the competitors, but also with racing participants and fans who watched the colourful and entertaining spectacle take place under the bright lights of the home of the Cox Plate (Gr1, 2040m).
The brainchild of Thoroughbred Industry Careers CEO Lindy Maurice, pony racing is surely here to stay in Australia? After all, it’s been a permanent and popular fixture in the UK and Ireland for many years. Champion European jockeys Ruby Walsh, Oisin Murphy, and Tom Marquand all competed in pony races before graduating to be stars of the sport.
“In my heart of hearts, it reaffirms why we want young people to take this industry forward and be the best we can be in the world. To do this we need to engage with people who love horses and those whose life is horses. For me that’s critical for the industry,” said Maurice.
So far, pony racing events have taken place at racetracks in Sydney, Brisbane, and Murray Bridge in South Australia. And, for so many reasons they have all been a raging success.
“That was the biggest barometer, how do the kids cope, do they love it and what do the parents think and that has all been totally positive.
“What I loved hearing is the feedback we got from multiple kids. Some of them said it’s the greatest thing they have ever done in their life that says we are on the right track because the kids are loving it. That feedback is crucial and then what does the industry think?”
Melbourne-based bloodstock agent Luke Wilkinson can speak firsthand about it as a parent of one of the competitors in the Valley race last Friday. His daughter Emma, a keen equestrian, rode her colored pony ‘Giggles’.
“Emma is predominantly an eventer and competes most weekends but she loved every minute of being involved in the pony races from trialling on Sunday and then the week leading into the race.
“Emma got to meet many trainers and jockeys on the night and they were all full of encouragement,” said Wilkinson.
While Emma and Giggles might not have graced the winner’s circle on the night, they still had a blast.
“Giggles got a bit stirred up before the race and then missed the start but Emma rode well to the line and had a big smile on her face after the event and all weekend.
“A lot of friends and family have sent really positive messages since the race which is great for the sport. Darren Thomas of Seymour Bloodstock whose colours Emma wore sent a lovely message to Emma about how well she went which was really nice,” he said.
The winning rider on the night was Laila Portagollo and her bay pony Duke who was representing the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace team. At the official presentation, she met Maher who looked genuinely thrilled for the young equestrian.
Who knows, she may well be a future employee at the leading stable or find herself working in another area of the industry. Or, she could become a racehorse owner or breeder, or a race club member.
Whatever her involvement amounts to, importantly at this point in time, she’s had a positive taste of what the sport is all about. And that, in this era of waning interest from the younger generations is vital.
As for the immediate plans for pony racing in Australia, Maurice is talking with industry heavyweights including Arrowfield Stud supremo and Racing Australia chair John Messara as well as Godolphin Australia’s managing director Vin Cox, to garner support.
There’s no question it will become part of the annual racing offering. Odds on there will be a national series and there could even be some international plans for it in the future.
“I’ve worked on a plan that I think works in any state which is based on a series with a final. And maybe one day we can get the best kids in Australia and maybe pick a night like the Dubai World Cup with the best from the UK and Ireland and the US and Japan and the Aussie kids race the northern hemisphere kids,” said Maurice.
Sounds like a great plan to me and one that should be embraced by the entire industry.