Thoroughbreds are Go – Milton Show

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday March 24

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.

'Lovely Lenny' aka Lunar Rise as a $380,000 Inglis Easter yearling 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.

Lenny in full flight at Summer Classic!“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.

Lenny is off on a new adventure with the NSW Mounted Police unit.

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!

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Vale, Fastnet Rock
Fastnet Rock was a crowd pleaser when paraded as a living legend at the Coolmore stallion parade last month, but sadly this spring was to be his last. 
MRC Committee Returned Unopposed
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has confirmed the results of the 2025 nominations for the MRC Executive Committee and the Mornington Advisory Group (MAG), which will be formally ratified at the Club’s Annual General Meeting on 25 September.
Kiwi Cup Hopeful Headed to Melbourne
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Wolfgang will fly to Melbourne on Wednesday to commence his path towards the A$10 million feature.
Sires With Winners - Monday September 8
Here is the full list of 18 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Mulberry Racing Purchase $550,000 Colt at Keeneland September
Australian based Mulberry Racing featured on the buyers list during the first session of the Keenland September Yearling Sale purchasing a colt by Quality Road for $550,000.
Cogburn Sire Not This Time on Fire at Keeneland September
If you have been considering sending a mare to Widden Stud’s exciting new shuttle sire Cogburn (USA) or have already booked one in you are going to be pretty interested in what is going on at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale this week where his sire Not This Time is in hot demand.
Waller Army Leads Cox Plate First Acceptances
Defending champion Via Sistina is among 21 horses champion trainer Chris Waller still has in contention for the $6 million 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, following the closure of first acceptances on Tuesday.
Impressive First Foals for Don Corleone
The first son of outstanding sire Extreme Choice to find his way to Queensland, Group I performer Don Corleone proved very popular with breeders last spring covering 133 mares at Eureka Stud and his first foals are exactly what you might hope for.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 9
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Tara Talks Racing – This Week We Talk to Bennett Racing
In the wash up of last Saturday’s great day of spring racing there was no winner that meant more to his connections than Group I MVRC Moir Stakes victory Baraqiel, so our obvious guest this week had to be Nathan Bennett.