Thoroughbred Industry Careers have announced winenrs and place-getters from the National Pony Racing Series Final at the Gold Coast last week.
We held the finals of the 24/25 Pony Racing Series on 7th June at Gold Coast Turf Club, QLD and riders travelled across Australia to take part in this prestigious event. We share our gratitude to everyone who has helped organise and coordinate the series.
We had a wonderful week with a range of activities to explore the Gold Coast. Magic Millions very kindly showed our riders round the the complex at the National Yearling Sale following a very exciting Barrier Draw. We also took the riders to ride on the beach. With plenty of practice at The Gold Coast Turf Club, we finished off our week by having a group lunch and playing some games to let riders relax before the big day.
Finals Small Pony Category Results??
?? 1st Place Stacey Edwards & Napoleon representing Carl & Lorraine Holt (SA)
??2nd Place Leilani Anderson & Cosmo representing Race with Lizzie (VIC)
?? 3rd Place Jack Cumming & Poppy representing Frank & Christine Cook (VIC)
?? Ariat Small Pony Pick of the Yard was awarded to Olivia Hanby (NSW) & Pippa representing Thoroughbred Breeders Australia
Finals Large Pony Category Results??
?? 1st Place Lillianna MeyerVale & Honey representing Ridgmont Farm (VIC)
??2nd Place Sharmay Bleakley & Ghost representing Peachester Lodge (QLD)
?? 3rd Place Montana Griffith & Gidget representing Seymour Bloodstock (NSW)
?? Ariat Large Pony Pick of the Yard was awarded to Charli-Anne Bennett (TAS) & Tommy representing Chris Waller Racing
Finals Week Diaries
Our week at the finals was action packed with a BBQ for the riders, a Barrier Draw at Magic Millions, beach riding at The Spit, and the big race itself. We are so grateful to everyone who made the series and finals possible, as well as our amazing riders and families who travelled their ponies as far as 2,500km to compete for the top spot!
Our Magic Millions Barrier Draw was a highlight of the week with the riders inspecting Lot 1331 from the Widden draft, a Zoustar colt, and then following it through the ring, standing behind the rostrum. Two of our riders, Olivia Hanby and Charli-Anne Bennett were lucky enough to bid spot for this particular lot! We held our barrier draw prior to the sale in the auditorium with Steve Davis interviewing each rider after they drew their barrier.
Early on Wednesday morning, we went down to The Spit with all the finalists and their ponies for a swim and ride at the beach. It was the most perfect morning with some of the kids experiencing this for the first time. Dolphins even came to see what was going on, a magical way to start the day.
Riders practiced on the track at Gold Coast Turf Club on Thursday afternoon to get a feel for the course and their barrier. On Friday morning, the finalists gave their ponies a leg stretch before prepping them for the big race - washing, plaiting and grooming.
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