The Thoroughbred Race Horse has been refined over the last 300-odd years through selective breeding and careful pedigree selection to the ultimate athlete that it is today. Bred from three Arabian Stallions and an original handful of mare stock, the Thoroughbred is bred to run and born to race. While racing may be their purpose, their inherent workmanlike nature, generosity and athleticism mean that they are highly suited to other forms of equestrian sport and given the right environments and grounding, go on to excel.ghly suited to other forms of equestrian sport after their racing careers. From three-phase eventing to show-jumping, dressage, polo and polo-crosse to wonderful hacks and companions, the thoroughbred is not “just a race horse”.
Beyond Racing is a drive to reposition the after racing demand for Thoroughbreds, promote their transition from racing to sport and leisure horses and ensure that our Thoroughbreds are well looked after beyond the race-track.
Beyond Racing is Imagine Racing’s initiative to promote and publicise Thoroughbreds, highlight their successes as highly suitable sport and leisure horses and to promote their appropriate transition from racing to be well looked after, much loved and valued beyond their racing careers.
The campaign aims to combine all forces in the breeding and racing industry, sport horse industry, the National Thoroughbred Trust and animal welfare units to promote their care and highlight their suitability and successes as riding horses across all disciplines.
For the 2014 Equestrian calendar, Beyond Racing will start to initiate and encourage special Thoroughbred series classes and prizes within classes at shows, to highlight and acknowledge competitive Thoroughbreds and their riders, in their chosen disciplines at all levels.
Together with the Thoroughbred industry we will also initiate annual awards for Thoroughbreds that have stood out or excelled outside of racing. For example, the Thoroughbred of the year award will recognise a Thoroughbred that has excelled in a non-competitive career such as equine assisted therapy, police work or Rhino Patrol and a Thoroughbred ambassador award will acknowledge a horse that has stood out from a publicity perspective whether competitive or not.
The calibre, heart and ability of the Thoroughbred has seen many excel beyond their racing careers in show-jumping, three phase eventing, polo, polo-crosse, showing and dressage as well as other leisure sports.
South African-bred Thoroughbreds have not only made their mark internationally as racehorses, the majority of which have flown the South African flag in Dubai with Champion trainer Mike de Kock, but have also competed at the highest level in three-phase eventing and polo. A South African mare, exported to the UK by local polo player Tom de Bruin and sold on again last year for, reportedly, the highest price paid for a UK based polo pony (around 200 000 pounds), has set a milestone for locally bred polo ponies. Despite not having been much of a racehorse, the 14 year old Moscow Princess has certainly proved herself in her second career. She is presently being played by top Argentinian player, Facundo Pieres for the Zacara team of Lyndon Lea in UK high goal polo.
In another remarkable story, a little horse called Imbongi (Zulu for Praise Singer) was passed through the auction ring unsold. Instead he was bought by owners, Mr and Mrs Napier and Michael Fleischer direct from the stud farm, Summerhill and he went into training with Mike de Kock. Winning both the Gauteng and KZN Guineas and then the Drill Hall Stakes, he was purchased to race in Dubai by Sheik Mohammed bin Khalifa al Makthoum. He then went on to win the Zabeel Mile and placed in a number of other graded races to finish his career with earnings over R8.8 million. At the end of his career the original owners were adamant that they wanted to bring him back to South Africa and he has been stabled at Bill Johnston’s Ascot Stables ever since. He is jumping competitively with his rider Tristan Smanjak and clearly loves life. As a favourite on the track, it is wonderful to see him doing so well Beyond Racing and inspiring to know how many racehorse owners are committed to the care of their horses throughout their lives.
As passionate Thoroughbred advocates, Imagine Racing, through Beyond Racing invites all Thoroughbred owners to share the stories of their champs whether racing, competing, hacking or a beloved friend. From showing to eventing and many polo successes sold internationally, the Thoroughbreds continue to make their mark Beyond Racing!
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