Bella Lodge owner Charlotte Manuel has been involved in racing for her entire working life and a visit to the Thoroughbred Sport Horse Association National Titles at Stonewall earlier this year proved the catalyst for her coming on board to sponsor a rider for this year’s Equimillion.
Charlotte spent the early years of her career riding work for Gai Waterhouse before establishing her own successful spelling and pre-training business on the Central Coast under the Bella Lodge banner.
One of the stars at the TSHA Nationals this year was 17 year-old Makaylah Fenwick, who has a team of off the track thoroughbreds she has re-trained herself and competes at shows all over the state.
The horses ridden by Makaylah came from the stable of Paul Perry, who trains at Newcastle and spells many of his horses at Bella Lodge, so Charlotte was quick to recognize some familiar names in her team as horses she has also spent time with.
“Makaylah’s mother is great friends with Nathan (son of Paul) Perry’s wife Christie, which is how the connection was made that has proven so successful,” Charlotte Manuel explained.
“In my job, I have so many owners and trainers that come to you when a horse finishes racing asking for help to rehome them and it’s not easy.
“Not all off the track horses are suited to equestrian pursuits, but when you see potential it’s important to try and get those horses into care with new owners that can bring out that potential.”
The path from off the tracker fresh from the races to accomplished competitor is often a hard road to hoe and Makaylah Fenwick is now seeing the rewards from years of hard work combined with her natural talent as a rider.
“Full credit to Makaylah, she’s taken these horses from nothing to something and I know how hard that is to do,” Charlotte said.
“Educating them and teaching them new skills is one thing, but then to take those horses on the road to all the shows requires so much commitment for very little cash return, so I’m thrilled to help out in some small way by sponsoring one of her horses into Equimillion.”
Bella Lodge will be sponsoring 12 year-old Manhattan Rain gelding The Garret and Makaylah Fenwick is also hoping take four more horses to Equimillion- Let It Be (9g Redoute’s Choice), Grace and Glory (8m Olympic Glory (IRE), Rainbow Man (8g Animal Kingdom (USA) and Jutland (6g Dundeel).
Email us at media@breednet.com.au if you are interested in sponsoring a rider for Equimillion.
