EQUATORI (TORI)

Broodmare – Retired October 2023

Toronado x Antipode 5YO Mare

Career: 6: 0-0-0

Equatori was purchased at the 2021 Gold Inglis Sales, on the recommendation of bloodstock advisor Jeremy Rogers. The Club was keen to be involved with her given the success of a number of Toronado’s progeny. Whilst physically we knew she would need time before she raced, in her early days of training she showed an aptitude for racing. In her trials she often won or placed and seemed to particularly appreciate a heavy track. On race day however, she wasn’t the same horse. Her trainer Henry Dwyer tried a number of gear changes but without success and along with a niggley knee that arose, the decision was made to retire her. She was put online for sale as a broodmare and Byerley Members, Joan and Kate Sadler purchased her for themselves in September 2023. Tori returned to Joan’s property in Gippsland for some rest and relaxation, where she thrived. In mid 2024, after Tori giving every indication she wanted to become a mum, she was offered to fellow Byerley Member Simone Bullen on lease. Simone had purchased a Rubick service at a fundraising event, having dreamt of one day breeding her own foal. The matching was a good one and Equatori is currently in foal to Rubick, due in September 2025.

GEORGE THE GIANT (GEORGE)

Equestrian – Retired September 2023

Sports Edition x Barrett’s Mark 6YO Gelding

Career: 7:1-1-0

George The Giant was purchased at the Gold Inglis Sales in August 2020. Byerley Member, Joan Sadler, picked out the flashy chestnut yearling who was a half brother to Ian, a horse who had won 3 of his first 4 starts (including at Flemington) before being sold to Hong Kong for $500K. At over 16hh and still growing, the name, George The Giant, not surprisingly won the popular vote. George took time to fully develop into his frame, not racing until he was four years old. The highlight of George’s racing career was his maiden win at Mornington in April 2023 – a thrilling dead heat. After sustaining a tendon injury in September 2023, George was retired to Joan Sadler’s property in Gippsland. With George’s tendon in great shape he was rehomed to uni student Phoebe in June 2024. However Phoebe realised uni commitments weren’t going to allow her the time needed with George and she contacted the Club, who then reached out to equestrian contact Caroline Price. Caroline was successful in finding George a dressage home with Christine, who saw a photo of George and took him on trial. All going well, we may see George and Christine competing in the dressage ring in the not too distant future.

STRATESSA (TESS)

Equine Therapy – Retired March 2023

Stratum x Betterthanblushing 8YO Mare

Career: 25: 4-4-1

Stratessa (Tess) was purchased at the Inglis Premier Sale in March 2018. Her debut at Mornington on 27 August 2019 surprised running second to Group 1 placed, Southbank. After a 6 week break Tess returned to race for a second at Kyneton and an unlucky fifth at Ballarat. Next start with blinkers applied, she didn’t disappoint for a 2.5 length maiden win at Pakenham on 9 April 2020, and a fast closing third at Sandown on 3 June 2020. Her next campaign produced only fair performances and she was returned to the paddock. Next campaign Tess raced well with a fast closing second at Ballarat on Sunday 30 May 2021 although her form again dipped and she was again sent to spell. Next time in, she finished second to Yulong Justify and followed up with win at Kyneton on 31 March 2022. Following poor performances and advice from her trainer Henry Dwyer, Tess was transferred to South Australia, however it was obvious Tess was calling time on her racing career and she was retired to former Henry Dwyer staffer, Effie Gray and her partner Matt Lindsay, as an equine therapy horse for their business, ME Animal Assisted Wellness. Not surprisingly, gentle, kind Tess has been a star in her new career helping kids.

MAGIC CITY (MAGIC)

Equestrian – Retired July 2022

Magic Albert x Townie 7YO Gelding

Career: 10:1-1-2

Magic City was purchased at the 2019 Magic Millions “Ready to Run” sales. His playful, confident and cheeky personality was evident very early days. Having his first start as a 3 year old he ran a solid third at Bendigo in August 2020 and after a long spell, due to a strained ligament, he returned to race at Bendigo running 5th after a hampered run. Finishing a fast closing second at Kyneton on 3 November 2021, Magic headed off for spell and returned to pre-training at Henry’s beachside property at St Leonards where he was a staff favourite. We had the thrill of cheering Magic to his maiden in Murray Bridge (SA) on 29 July 2022. With his trainer feeling Magic was limited and a niggly injury that would see him sidelined for three months, Magic was retired and sent to Racing Hearts to complete three months of paddock rest. He was then rehomed to an equestrian family who, after 12 months, decided Magic wasn’t quite suitable for the level of competition they hoped for. The Club found the perfect low key country lifestyle with Georgie and her daughter Phoebe on their beautiful new property in Northern Victoria. Magic has fitted in perfectly and Georgie wrote “He is very happy … and truely part of our family.”

Heavenly Bridges (Polly)

Broodmare – Retired May 2022

Unencumbered x Lita 9YO Mare

Career: 45: 8-5-3

Heavenly Bridges (Polly) was purchased at the Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale for $12,000. Much like her Group 2 winning half sister, ‘Still A Star’, Polly was a pint sized pocket rocket on the race track, however unlike her half sister who won races up 2100m, Polly was a 1000m specialist. In many of her races she had Byerley Members out of our seats cheering her on as she darted away from the field applying “catch me if you can” tactics. Achieving 8 wins and a number of placings, her career highlight was winning three races within 6 weeks, including a heat of the Ladbrokes 955m Sprint Series at Moonee Valley on 5 February 2021. Heading to South Australia she finished a gutsy second over 1100m in a BM70 during the Oakbank Carnival and third to stakes winner Absolute Flirt in a BM84 at Caulfield. Retired from racing in June 2022 she was purchased by a breeder who booked her for a date with Toronado at Swettenham Stud, where she stayed until purchased by Bowness Stud at the Magic Millions 2023 National Gold Coast Broodmare Sale. Polly gave birth to her first foal, a chestnut colt (a 3/4 relation to Still A Star) on 7th September 2023. We look forward to following Heavenly Bridges progeny on the racetrack, we’re sure they will be just as tenacious as she was.

GIMME THE GOSS (LILY)

Equestrian – Retired May 2021

Kuroshio x Latino Goss 8YO Mare

Career: 17:3-0-2

Purchased at the VOBIS Gold Sales Melbourne in 2018 for $9,000, Lily proved that a gentle nature and small price tag can still result in a successful race horse. Her promising first start as a three year old saw Lily weaving her way through the field to finish third on 10 October 2019 at Mornington over 1000m. Returning to Mornington on the 3 November 2019, and stepping up to 1200m, Lily lead the field in an exciting all the way win. Off to Moonee Valley for Friday night racing saw Lily notch up her second win, after a neck and neck battle to the finish line. She didn’t show much in her second campaign so was sent for a spell. On her return to racing she notched up another win at Terang in March 2021, however it was apparent a breathing issue was hampering her performance and the decision was made to retire her. Lily was sent to the Club’s Racing Victoria acknowledged re-trainer, Elle McKenzie, who fell in love with Lily’s beautiful nature and decided to keep her explaining, Elle explained “I couldn’t part with her, she’s got a home with me for life”. Has been lovely seeing the strong bond these two have built. Elle has taken Lily to a number of pony club events and feels she will excel in jumping and eventing.

RUMBLE DOLL (PATTI)

Career: 5:2-1-1

Street Boss x Can She Play 8YO Mare

Purchased at the VOBIS Gold Sales Melbourne in 2018, Patti was an early sales topper at $62,000. Her trainer Henry Dwyer advised early on he thought she was a “smart filly”. At her first start on 12 June 2019, she missed the kick at Sale but fought on to finish third. Her second start at Sandown on the 26th of June 2019 she blew us away, jumping from the barriers and leading the field in an impressive four length win. She then headed to Moonee Valley on 3 August 2019, finishing a flashing second to Group 3 winner, Taraayef. After a brief freshen up and only 80% fit Patti then won in a tightly contested race against hot favourite and multiple city winner, Varda, at Bendigo on 9 October 2019. The Group 3 Kennedy Plate on Oaks Day was next race in sight, however it was not to be with Patti pulling up sore after a track work gallop, x-rays revealed a fractured sesamoid. Patti was retired from racing and after her rehabilitation was sold to Telemon Thoroughbreds (a boutique stud in Queensland) as a broodmare, her first foal to Sidestep is pictured. We continue to stay updated on her progress as a broodmare.

Wherever Hugo (Hugo)

Equestrian – Retired July 2019

Reward For Effort x Tranquil Lass 9YO Gelding

Career: 8:0-0-1

Wherever Hugo was purchased at the Tasmanian Magic Million Sales in 2017 for $15,000. If Hugo’s personality had matched his racing ability he would have been a champion. However after 8 starts for no wins, it was decided racing was not for Hugo and he was retired from racing. Both the Byerley Racing Club and his connections agreed that he would be rehomed to racehorse retrainer, Elle McKenzie based in Gisborne. Hugo progressed from race horse to a lovely pony club mount within a few months and found a loving home with Leigh, on a beautiful property in South Australia. Since then Hugo and Leigh have built an unshakeable bond and it’s been fantastic to see him thriving in his life after racing. Leigh has been taking natural horsemanship classes with Hugo and also been doing some Liberty training with him. Hugo wants for nothing and laps up all the attention and affection that Leigh offers. We enjoy receiving Hugo updates from Leigh and following him on social media.

Byerley Diva (DIVA)

Polo/Broodmare – Retired May 2018

Magnus x Courtly Diva 10YO Mare

Career: 9:0-1-1

Byerley Diva was purchased at the Tasmanian Magic Million Sales in February 2016. As the Club’s first purchased horse, Diva showed early form winning her first jump out at Caulfield. Her first race at Mornington over 1000m in April 2017 she finished fourth, which was followed by a gusty effort finishing 5th over 1000m at the Warrnambool Carnival in May 2017, after a difficult run in transit. Returning from an 8 week spell Byerley Diva commenced her second racing campaign in November 2017, running 2nd over 1100m on Ararat Cup Day. Respiratory issues started to hamper Byerley Diva’s ability to race and the decision was made to retire her. Byerley Diva is now loving her new life in the Yarra Valley where she was retrained as a polo pony and more recently became a polo pony broodmare, giving birth to her first foal, a lovely colt, in 2022.