YOUNG riders from five states across Australia are set to compete at Royal Randwick on All Aged Stakes Day, Saturday 20th April 2024, as the inaugural season of the National Pony Racing Series reaches its exciting conclusion.
The finals are split into two categories – small and large ponies – and will feature riders from Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and host state New South Wales who qualified by finishing in the top two of their heats held over the past eight months.
The Pony Racing series, a partnership between Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC) and Pony Club Australia, creates opportunities for equestrians aged between 9 and 15 to gain an insight into careers in the thoroughbred industry and experience the thrill of competing with their ponies in a race. It has been met with great support, with footage of the young riders competing at Australia’s most famous racetracks beamed nationwide.
Finals week will be an unforgettable experience for every participant and their pony. They are scheduled to arrive at the Inglis Riverside complex on Tuesday, 16th April where activities will include a tour of Godolphin’s Osborne Park facility, trackwork at Royal Randwick followed by breakfast and a tour of the Ranvet factory, training sessions at Warwick Farm Racecourse, and a barrier draw at The William Inglis Hotel on Friday.
“The finalists are very excited about the opportunity to ride at Sydney’s premier racecourse and two of the riders from Western Australia are making a huge effort to truck their ponies for 10 days there and back to be part of it,” Thoroughbred Industry Careers CEO Lindy Maurice said.
“The support of sponsors has been vital in making the inaugural series possible, and riders in the two divisions will sport the racing colours of each of the main sponsors of the National Series."
