The Greatest - Always - This is the tagline of Racing Victoria's 2019 Spring Racing campaign and it is a fitting sentiment for the next edition of 'Where are they now.'
Victorian breeders have long had a history of breeding horses which create history. Take for example Black Caviar, Redzel, Santa Ana Lane, Makybe Diva to name a few.
All are horses which have etched their stories into history and have become household names.
Fairytales in racing can come true, which was the case when a horse at 9 years old lined up in the barriers for the Cox Plate for his fifth consecutive year and won. One of his owners, the now retired race-caller Bryan Martin called this 2006 Cox Plate victory. The horse? Fields of Omagh or affectionately named FOO.
A regular at tracks to this current day. A horse which stops to watch and listen while remembering his days of racing of the not so distant past. A horse which was ridden by jockey Corey Brown to five consecutive Group One victories, a streak which matched the record set by champion Tulloch in 1957. 2019 marks the 10-year anniversary of his win in the Group 1 Australia Stakes and the Doomben 10,000. The horse? Apache Cat.
Lee Freedman remarked of this next horse, "He was an amazing horse, as he had his legs put on backwards. His Caulfield Cup win was a dominant performance in track record time, and he was a bit stiff in the Melbourne Cup that year." In 1994, this horse won the Caulfield Cup before winning the Mackinnon Stakes and then going on to finish second in the Melbourne Cup. The horse? Paris Lane.
For three years this horse reigned as the world's premier sprinter between 2007 – 2009 when he was named world champion sprinter in global rankings. He was also named Hong Kong Horse of the Year for the 2009-2010 season and won three international Group 1 races. The horse? Sacred Kingdom.
But you may ask what do Fields of Omagh, Apache Cat, Paris Lane and Sacred Kingdom have in common?
You would be correct if you said, they are all racehorses who are living out their retirement at Living Legends in Oaklands.
But not only are they retired racehorses, but they were all bred by Victorian breeders.
As this Spring Racing Carnival gets underway, take the time to get out and see some of The Greatest, who once graced our tracks.
Living Legends was established to bring retired champions back to the public. The property was established in 1843 and the Woodlands homestead is a heritage listed property. The team at Living Legends dutifully care for these champions and are open to the public for visits.
After you have been up and close for a cuddle with the Victorian-bred legends, it is a must to stop for a scone in their historic Woodlands homestead.
To find out more about Living Legends, clickhere.
To find out more about the Spring Racing Carnival in Victoria, clickhere
