Racing NSW have their annual Equimillion event coming up this long weekend at Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park and for people interested in off the trackers it’s a showcase for the sport, so let’s take a look at who’s who in the zoo.
This year Racing NSW have mercifully moved with the times and there will be live scoring through Equipe so you can follow all the action whether you are at the event or at home and just looking to keep tabs on your favourites.
Running from this Friday through until Monday the show features dressage, hacking, eventing and showjumping with the New Stars classes in each category featuring horses that have retired from racing within a 12 month window of this show.
It’s a quick turnaround for these horses and quite a challenge to get them ready for an assignment like this within the time frame and there are some interesting names in the draws for all disciplines.
Some New Stars Watch Horses
Communist (Russian Revolution) G1 Randwick Guineas – Sophie Johnson (Dressage)
Esti Feny (Hun) (Pigeon Catcher) Hungarian Horse of the Year and SW in Australia – Oliver Barrett (Dressage)
Zoumon (Zoustar) – Multiple SW of over $1million – Katie Murray (Dressage)
Kalapour (IRE) (War Command) – G1 Tancred Stakes – Gabrielle Irwin (Dressage)
Aleas (GB) (Archipenko ) – SW Wagga Gold Cup -Carissa Holmes (Show horse)
Also keep your eye out for Australian Horse of the Year and Royal Ascot hero Nature Strip competing with Kathy O’Hara in the 1.10m showjumping.
He went around in the New Stars jumping class last year and with another 12 months of competition under his belt is becoming a seasoned professional and comes into this Equimillion off some great rounds at Willinga Park last week.
Multiple Group I winner Zaaki (GB) will be competing in the 95cm eventing class with Olympian Shenae Lowings on board and he too was in the New Stars class last year and is well and truly on his way in his second career.
Also watch for G1 stars like Think It Over, Kementari, Kolding, Hartnell (GB), etc.
