Equimillion Brings Racing and Equestrian Together

Tara Madgwick - Thursday August 8

At last year’s Equimillion, bloodstock agent Satomi Oka and her long time friend and racehorse owner Jane Petrie came along to watch me have a roll around the Olympic arena at SIEC on my off the track jumper and 12 months down the track the pair have combined forces to sponsor a rider for this year’s event.

“Equimillion is an exciting event that celebrates and promotes the second careers of retired racehorses,” said Satomi Oka.

“I’m lucky enough to have a job dealing with horses and supporting this young rider is a small gesture from me to give back and contributing to their well-being beyond their racing careers.

“When Tara showed me Mara’s email seeking a sponsor, I was very impressed by her passion and also her professional demeanour. She also shared her pledge to support other people including donating to Multiple Sclerosis Australia.”

Satomi Oka has made a passion for horses into a career in bloodstock.

Satomi has made a successful bloodstock career inspired by a love of horses and she continues to ride regularly.

“I wish I could compete, but I don’t have the time to practice and most importantly I’m not fit enough! It’s a wonderful feeling to have Mara continuing my dream, and I’m thrilled to sponsor such a dedicated young rider while I’m supporting a great event.”

Advertisement

My cousin Jane Petrie was dragged along in my slipstream into the world of racing over the years, but with a lifelong keen interest in horses, she has embraced the sport and has shares in multiple racehorses with trainers John O’Shea, Tony Gollan and Danielle Seib and they include Group I winner Lion’s Roar and the now retired prolific winner Southern Lad.

“As racehorse owners we are happy to pay training fees in expectation that our horses are being well cared for, educated and conditioned to perform as racehorses over a significant period of time and if they are fast enough there will be a monetary return on investment,” said Jane Petrie.

“It’s not lost on me that a similar level of care and attention goes into retraining racehorses for competitive equestrian pursuits, however for these people there is very little monetary return for their time and effort.

“They do it for love of the horse and out of a passion for their sport, so if I can sponsor a rider into Equimillion where they have the chance to compete for serious prizemoney I’m more than happy to help out.”

Satomi and Jane will be sponsoring 15 year-old rider Mara McGavern, who is in Year 9 at St.Philip’s Christian College in Newcastle on an Elite Athlete scholarship as apart from her horse activities she’s a gifted athlete that competes in the long jump at a national level.

Mara came up through the Pony Club ranks riding a gun pony called Twix, but has now graduated on to bigger horses which has led her to a pair of off the track thoroughbreds that she will be riding at Equimillion in both eventing and showjumping.

Araluen Bella was unnamed on the Australian Studbook, but was bred in the Hunter Valley and sired by Group I winner Danasinga. The 14 year-old mare, who goes by the stable name of Friday, has formed a great partnership with Mara and the pair will represent NSW at the upcoming Australian National Interschools Championship at Tamworth in September.

Mara will also be riding 10 year-old Exceed and Excel gelding Found Out, who won two races in a 29 start career that earned his owners over $80,000 in prizemoney.

If you have any interest in sponsoring a rider for Equimillion do send us an email at media@breednet.com.au

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
A Century of National Yearling Sales Success: Australian Derby
Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino), Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) and Shanwah (NZ) (Too Darn Hot) are the three favourites for Saturday’s A$2m Group One ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick, where they will attempt to add their names to a proud record of New Zealand National Yearling Sale success.
Fields Set For Selangor's NZB Ready to Run Graduate Cup
Malaysia continues to emerge as a leading racing jurisdiction, and the major racing club in Selangor Turf Club (STC), has had a long-standing relationship with NZB. 
Blue Sky in All Directions for Vinery Stud
Vinery Stud have had had a super season so far with the rise of their young sire Ole Kirk and a new crop of star graduates doing the farm proud and adding further to the appeal of their 13 strong draft for Inglis Easter.
Sires With Winners - Friday April 4
Here is the full list of 56 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Yulong Move to Replace Vin Cox
Yulong have today issued a statement announcing their replacement for outgoing General Manager Vin Cox, who resigned from the operation last week due to a difference of opinion on ‘strategic direction and values’.
Breednet Progeny Gallery for Top Performers
Inglis Easter is nearly upon us and Breednet have a very cool search page where you can call up any stallion to see what it’s best progeny look like and we’re taking a look at Zoustar as an example given he has a crackerjack draft for Inglis Easter, so what does a good one really look like?
Promising 2YO Winner for Wyndspelle
Lightly raced two-year-old Wyndstorm took a big step forward in the second start of his career on Saturday and beat a talented field in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1200m) at Ellerslie.
Zoustar's Habana Ready to Return
Group Two winner Habana has bounced back from a health scare and will make a welcome return to action in Saturday’s Elsdon Park (1300m) at Ellerslie.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
Trials at Rosehill on Friday morning featured six heats for juveniles with some quality fillies given a tick over gallop in preparation for next week’s Group II ATC Percy Sykes Stakes, while $1.6million Extreme Choice colt Guardsman looks like he’s getting closer to a race day debut.
The Easter Vendors With Day One Championship Relations
Day One of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale is on Sunday and there’s a few who’ll be watching Day One of the Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday a little more closely with siblings to their offerings entered and looking for the most timely of updates.