For anyone that’s ever wondered what my world looks like since leaving Sydney and setting up Daybreak Farm at Milton in 2013, this week’s episode of Caroline Searcy’s Thoroughbreds are Go will give an insight as we showcase the 151st Milton Show held earlier this month.
One of our horses featured in the show is known to us as ‘Lovely Lenny’ and Group III VRC Carbine Club Stakes winner Lunar Rise is a horse that has had an amazing life so far and there is a lot more to come.
Bred at Arrowfield Stud, but carrying the old Bellerive Stud brand, Lenny was a stunning yearling that made $380,000 at Inglis Easter to the bid of Duncan Ramage of DGR Thoroughbreds making him the most expensive yearling by Starcraft sold in that year.
Prepped for sale by renowned horse woman Megan Kelso, she has always maintained he was the nicest colt she has ever taken to a sale.
Those good manners and inherent kindness are traits Lenny has carried with him through life and a successful racing career has been followed by a smooth transition into the showjumping world.
Duncan Ramage rang me at the end of 2017 when he was ready to retire from the track.
“I’ve got a horse that needs a home, but it has to be a special home,” he said.
“He hates being in a paddock and he needs a fruitful rewarding career…. He’s just a nice person.”
His two years with us at Daybreak Farm have been enjoyable for Lenny and for all of us as he has learned new skills and competed at jumping shows all over the state last year as well as a gig at the National Interschool Championships as a pool horse for visiting WA rider Tiarna Newbold, who quickly became a Lenny fan!
A month ago, my son Jack saw an ad in Horse Deals for the NSW Mounted Police unit recruiting new horses.
“That’s Lenny,” he said.
“You should send in his resume.”
Long story short, we did and last week he was accepted into the NSW Mounted Police unit on a three month trial and is currently at headquarters at Redfern learning new skills that may lead him into a life few horses dream of.
We are under no illusions as only one in 10 horses make it the through the rigorous training program to be offered a full time role in the troop and the last famous racehorse to be successful at the job was 2005 Doncaster Handicap winner Patezza.
So if you see the NSW Mounted Police unit out and about in coming weeks and months, do ask how Lenny is going and give him our love if he’s on duty!
