Retired standardbreds will share the spotlight with the state’s premier show equines at this weekend’s Victorian Saddle Horse Championships in Bendigo.
The championships, staged under the auspices of Victorian Agricultural Shows Limited, feature the third annual Alabar HERO Series Final, which brings together 20 former pacers and trotters who will vie for more than $2000 in prizemoney.
The Alabar HERO Series is the richest and most prestigious standardbred showing event in Victoria.
The overall winner will take home $1000, while the Best Newcomer (less than two years off the track) and the Best Performed Owner/Rider combination will each receive $500.
Horses and riders earn the right to compete at agricultural shows throughout the state over the preceding 12 months.
The 2019 Alabar HERO Series finalists qualified at venues as far afield as Mansfield, Swan Hill, Colac, Berwick and Maldon.
Eight of this year’s competitors failed to earn a dollar on the racetrack.
At the opposite end of the scale, Savesomtimetodream is the richest finalist with $222,625 in stake earnings prior to turning his hand to showing while former New Zealand pacer McPocket won just shy of $100,000.
“It’s a very even field this year with quite a lot of new names bobbing up, which is just fantastic,” HRV Hero Program Manager Tanya McDermott said.
“The 2018/19 Alabar HERO Series was the biggest and most successful since the event’s inception three years ago, which is a great reflection of the growing respect for and interest in standardbreds in their life after racing.
“We continue to be enormously indebted to the Board and Management of Victorian Agricultural Shows Limited, who showed extraordinary commitment in putting their support behind this initiative.
“It is largely due to their passion for showcasing these fantastic former racehorses in their second career that we have been able to grow the series so quickly.
“The ongoing support of our generous event partner, Alabar Bloodstock, has also been vital in the growth of not only the Alabar HERO Series, but indeed the HERO Standardbred Life After Racing Program as a whole.”
The Alabar HERO Series Final will be staged at the Bendigo Showgrounds this Sunday, January 6, commencing at 1pm. Standardbred support classes are programmed from 10am.
Admission is free and spectators are welcome.
