Firewell
Well-Known Member
Antw23uk that sounds exciting!! Fingers crossed for you 
Ex racers - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (Plus picture overload)
- Thread starter ImmyS
- Start date
Pigeon
Well-Known Member
Best horses in the world!! In a way, they've usually had a very correct upbringing, dealt with by professionals right from the start, so generally great to handle on the ground. They're also born and bred athletes, so can make fantastic competition horses.
I think the issue is that they're not beginner's horses, and because they're so cheap, they often fall into the hands of people who know very little about them. I think this is why they have a reputation for being crazy.
I think the issue is that they're not beginner's horses, and because they're so cheap, they often fall into the hands of people who know very little about them. I think this is why they have a reputation for being crazy.
ImmyS
Well-Known Member
Pretty much my exact view as well!
Pigeon
Well-Known Member
And any excuse for a photo of my little lad!! 
ImmyS
Well-Known Member
And any excuse for a photo of my little lad!!
Utterly stunning as always!
Parachute
Well-Known Member
Wow! One of the prettiest horses i've ever seen
I'd love an ex-racer but i'm no where near experienced enough to deal with one! Oh well, maybe in the future!
Last edited:
shmoo
Well-Known Member
Sorry this is war and peace...
One of mine is an ex-racer. I have to confess here, she was cheap. After writing numerous ad's then never putting her back up for sale I stuck with it. Best advice I had was it takes a good year to get to know your horse. It has really, well almost anyhow.
She is amazing. She's non spooky, 100% (or as close as you can realistically get) in traffic, isn't nasty in the field, is good to handle, she's cuddly, grumpy, beautiful, naughty. She's a ratbag to get on and can get a bit sideways on the way home. Her paces are perfection, she's a darling. What can I say...
It did take that year though as she isn't a novices horse, and won't tolerate one riding her. She'll never be able to show as directly after racing she looks to have been through a meat grinder and has some wicked scars to show for it. She was more a rescue for me than a considered horse purchase. I don't regret it now buy BG I had some sleepless nights then.
A friend of mine bought direct from Ascot sales, and really repented at leisure. I guess some are better than others. It's not all hearts and flowers of course. She costs me a kings ransom to feed. Your horse looks fabulous after a hard winter ImmyS, better than mine.
On the other side, theres a couple of TB stud farms round my way, they breed 30-40 foals per year, multiply that by how many studs there actually are and then look at how many ex-racers are on the lookout for new homes every year. They don't all make the 'ex' bit, so I'm all for giving the ones who do a chance. Just make an informed considered purchase - do as I say not as I do. There are a lot of charities, or just charitable people out there who specifically rehome the ex's, and will do their level best to match you to a horse.
Best and worse, and very best thing I did !
One of mine is an ex-racer. I have to confess here, she was cheap. After writing numerous ad's then never putting her back up for sale I stuck with it. Best advice I had was it takes a good year to get to know your horse. It has really, well almost anyhow.
She is amazing. She's non spooky, 100% (or as close as you can realistically get) in traffic, isn't nasty in the field, is good to handle, she's cuddly, grumpy, beautiful, naughty. She's a ratbag to get on and can get a bit sideways on the way home. Her paces are perfection, she's a darling. What can I say...
It did take that year though as she isn't a novices horse, and won't tolerate one riding her. She'll never be able to show as directly after racing she looks to have been through a meat grinder and has some wicked scars to show for it. She was more a rescue for me than a considered horse purchase. I don't regret it now buy BG I had some sleepless nights then.
A friend of mine bought direct from Ascot sales, and really repented at leisure. I guess some are better than others. It's not all hearts and flowers of course. She costs me a kings ransom to feed. Your horse looks fabulous after a hard winter ImmyS, better than mine.
On the other side, theres a couple of TB stud farms round my way, they breed 30-40 foals per year, multiply that by how many studs there actually are and then look at how many ex-racers are on the lookout for new homes every year. They don't all make the 'ex' bit, so I'm all for giving the ones who do a chance. Just make an informed considered purchase - do as I say not as I do. There are a lot of charities, or just charitable people out there who specifically rehome the ex's, and will do their level best to match you to a horse.
Best and worse, and very best thing I did !
ImmyS
Well-Known Member
Sorry this is war and peace...
One of mine is an ex-racer. I have to confess here, she was cheap. After writing numerous ad's then never putting her back up for sale I stuck with it. Best advice I had was it takes a good year to get to know your horse. It has really, well almost anyhow.
She is amazing. She's non spooky, 100% (or as close as you can realistically get) in traffic, isn't nasty in the field, is good to handle, she's cuddly, grumpy, beautiful, naughty. She's a ratbag to get on and can get a bit sideways on the way home. Her paces are perfection, she's a darling. What can I say...
It did take that year though as she isn't a novices horse, and won't tolerate one riding her. She'll never be able to show as directly after racing she looks to have been through a meat grinder and has some wicked scars to show for it. She was more a rescue for me than a considered horse purchase. I don't regret it now buy BG I had some sleepless nights then.
A friend of mine bought direct from Ascot sales, and really repented at leisure. I guess some are better than others. It's not all hearts and flowers of course. She costs me a kings ransom to feed. Your horse looks fabulous after a hard winter ImmyS, better than mine.
On the other side, theres a couple of TB stud farms round my way, they breed 30-40 foals per year, multiply that by how many studs there actually are and then look at how many ex-racers are on the lookout for new homes every year. They don't all make the 'ex' bit, so I'm all for giving the ones who do a chance. Just make an informed considered purchase - do as I say not as I do. There are a lot of charities, or just charitable people out there who specifically rehome the ex's, and will do their level best to match you to a horse.
Best and worse, and very best thing I did !
Thank you for complimenting my girl, this winter hasn't been easy!
And a great and very true post.. I think they are all very different but can be very incredibly rewarding once a relationshipis built.
Pigeon
Well-Known Member
Heheh thankyou!
Cherrydan
Well-Known Member
Well, I bought an ex racer, islands farewell, dettori had rode him, he'd done 14 races...I loved him intensely, spent sooo much money on retraining, had him for eighteen months, he was horrible. He braked when he wanted, reared, rode into walls, broke lunge lines, my instructor said, he will end up killing you or himself...after months of tears and trying, he wrecked my confidence in such a way, that to this day, two years on, I live in fear...what happened, I was due to get him pts, but as he was great as a companion, I gave him away to a lovely woman who promised me she would never ride or leone ride him...I tried to contact her, a few months later to see how he was doing...no reply...I assume the worse...it's not his fault, I blame the racing industry. I even tried to contact his trainers when I had him, to see if he had a bad incident or for any recommendations...guess what...no reply...why? Because it's just business to them, use them up, let them go....so, you have a horse that is not retrained properly....even when I had him retrained, it did no good...now, I'm sure there are good ones out there, but this dude....he was not a riding horse, he needed retirement or, sorry to say pts...before I get judged, I invested everything for him, but it cost me my heart. I believe that the racing industry have a lot to answer for...but that's another issue completely. Good luck, love, I genuinely hope you both are happy together and make real progress, me....I'm sticking to cobs, lol...And I always thought they were boring until I met the gelding of my dreams.x
NaeNae87
Well-Known Member
Haha, yes they are related to Black Caviar and also a very well known(well over here she was well know) New Zealand mare called Sunline who was NZ horse of the year 4 times and Aus horse of the year 3 times. She had a massive rivalry with WA gelding called Northerly.
There is a huge retrained racehorse movement over here, not just TB's but standardbreds too. There are a few places that just deal with OTTB's for example the NSW Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Trust, they do amazing thing with the horses and for the community... they get low risk offenders from the prisions and teach them about horse care. All of the horses have been retrained by prisioners.
There is also a Thoroughbred Horse of the Year show this year which is quite exciting. There is a class in it for race condition TB's (fresh off the track and have to have proof from the trainer that they raced max 8 weeks ago) and there are TB and Standardbred classes at most breed shows.
Captain Bridget
Well-Known Member
I've met four ex racers, and only in the past year and a half probably, never had anything to do with them before then. First couple, lovely on the ground, sweet with people, generally good to ride but had issues. One looked more like a rescue case than anything and could be a bit of a nutcase when it took her fancy. The other was good but would freak out at random moments. I think they were both in racing quite a long time though before becoming riding horses.
The current two I know, one (Bailey) was in racing for 8 years or so I think, but he's been reschooled very well and, although he can be strong, spooky and grumpy he's really lovely. Jumps anything you point him at, has great flatwork and could easily be a show horse. He's getting older now, he's 16 I think, so starting to get a bit achey and his legs fill if he's in the stable for a long period but I've put my total novice OH and sister on him and he's been perfect.
The other one (Larry) I just adore. He's 7, came from Ascot as a 4 year old. His owner thought he might be doped when she got him as he was so chilled but he's been like it ever since! He's the most bombproof horse I've ever met, only once did he get spooked by traffic and that was because a van with a rattling trailer came hurtling up behind him. He's not the easiest horse, he does stress out and get worried but he shows this by his inability to stand still! And he's pretty forward going, jogs all the time and will chuck his head about in disgust if you ask him to stop cantering! His reschooling is going very slowly but he's getting there, he's still unbalanced and wobbly but he does try. But he has the shortest trot for a 16.2 horse I've ever seen! Felt like a pogo stick first time I rode him. Overall he's a very sweet horse and really tries. We did a sponsored ride and at first I was worried he'd stop at everything or cat leap but he took it all in his stride. He also is quite soppy and likes a fuss which is nice. The other one hates anyone attempting to stroke him! I think Larry's only main issue is he won't load in a trailer, but I think with work and the right trailer (higher roof space) he'd be okay.
Larry on the sponsored ride. Can you tell I was nervous?!
He's a skinny little thing, it's like sitting on a knife edge, I swear if I tried I could get my feet to touch under his belly. And yes, he's 16.2 and I'm only 5'8.
Larry and Bailey. Bailey does have ears!
Larry has no issues with water! I'd love to do hunter trials, or maybe even event him.
Did I say he's pretty bombproof?!
Sorry, major overload! I'm being soppy cause I miss him! But only like 6/7 weeks until I'm home and get to ride him again. (I'm in Australia.)
The current two I know, one (Bailey) was in racing for 8 years or so I think, but he's been reschooled very well and, although he can be strong, spooky and grumpy he's really lovely. Jumps anything you point him at, has great flatwork and could easily be a show horse. He's getting older now, he's 16 I think, so starting to get a bit achey and his legs fill if he's in the stable for a long period but I've put my total novice OH and sister on him and he's been perfect.
The other one (Larry) I just adore. He's 7, came from Ascot as a 4 year old. His owner thought he might be doped when she got him as he was so chilled but he's been like it ever since! He's the most bombproof horse I've ever met, only once did he get spooked by traffic and that was because a van with a rattling trailer came hurtling up behind him. He's not the easiest horse, he does stress out and get worried but he shows this by his inability to stand still! And he's pretty forward going, jogs all the time and will chuck his head about in disgust if you ask him to stop cantering! His reschooling is going very slowly but he's getting there, he's still unbalanced and wobbly but he does try. But he has the shortest trot for a 16.2 horse I've ever seen! Felt like a pogo stick first time I rode him. Overall he's a very sweet horse and really tries. We did a sponsored ride and at first I was worried he'd stop at everything or cat leap but he took it all in his stride. He also is quite soppy and likes a fuss which is nice. The other one hates anyone attempting to stroke him! I think Larry's only main issue is he won't load in a trailer, but I think with work and the right trailer (higher roof space) he'd be okay.
Larry on the sponsored ride. Can you tell I was nervous?!
He's a skinny little thing, it's like sitting on a knife edge, I swear if I tried I could get my feet to touch under his belly. And yes, he's 16.2 and I'm only 5'8.
Larry and Bailey. Bailey does have ears!
Larry has no issues with water! I'd love to do hunter trials, or maybe even event him.
Did I say he's pretty bombproof?!
Sorry, major overload! I'm being soppy cause I miss him! But only like 6/7 weeks until I'm home and get to ride him again. (I'm in Australia.)
humblepie
Well-Known Member
Nae Nae 87 - thanks for that, very interesting, particularly for the fresh off the track class. Look forward to more reports on your horse.
Captain Bridget - Larry and Bailey are cool!
Captain Bridget - Larry and Bailey are cool!
claracanter
Well-Known Member
I have an ex racer who is rising 7. He is an absolute sweetheart. I am retraining him and he is proving to be a quick learner and a lively and willing ride. Although not a novice ride, he is a fantastic hack, fun to school and a gent on the ground.
I hope to event him someday if I'm brave enough
This is a picture of him at his first Prelim a few weeks ago.
I hope to event him someday if I'm brave enough
This is a picture of him at his first Prelim a few weeks ago.
claracanter
Well-Known Member
*sorry pic is sooo big
ImmyS
Well-Known Member
I have an ex racer who is rising 7. He is an absolute sweetheart. I am retraining him and he is proving to be a quick learner and a lively and willing ride. Although not a novice ride, he is a fantastic hack, fun to school and a gent on the ground.
I hope to event him someday if I'm brave enough
This is a picture of him at his first Prelim a few weeks ago.
He's lovely
doriangrey
Well-Known Member
I have an ex racer who is rising 7. He is an absolute sweetheart. I am retraining him and he is proving to be a quick learner and a lively and willing ride. Although not a novice ride, he is a fantastic hack, fun to school and a gent on the ground.
I hope to event him someday if I'm brave enough
This is a picture of him at his first Prelim a few weeks ago.
Is that Blantyre? He's lovely, so are the others. I love thoroughbreds, they can turn their hooves to anything
claracanter
Well-Known Member
Yes, it's Blantyre