I’m Going to the Equimillion!

Tara Madgwick - Monday August 14

Most people who know me realise that a large chunk of my time is spent riding horses rather than writing about them and with both of my children now left home I need a challenge and Racing NSW has come to the party with the inaugural Equimillion on the September long weekend and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.

The Equimillion gives thoroughbreds like Pie the opportunity to compete in classes worth $30,000!

Having been involved with NSW based Thoroughbred Sport Horse Association since it’s inception, I know all too well how hard it is to get traction for new endeavours for off the track thoroughbreds and acceptance within the equestrian community, but all things have to start somewhere and this is ground zero for Equimillion.

It has copped an avalanche of criticism through social media and some of it justified, but there are also some myths about it that should be debunked.

Eligible horses need to have raced or been trained in NSW or in the case of unraced horses they need to have been bred here with the intention to race. This event was conceived by Racing NSW and they are putting up the money to showcase NSW thoroughbreds, let’s not forget that fact.

Advertisement

My horse is a Kiwi bred 16 year-old gelding that came to Australia named Piazza San Pietro (NZ). He arrived here after three starts in New Zealand and then raced very successfully for the late Bede Murray winning five of 21 starts and earned over $118,000.

A bowed tendon curtailed his career in 2015 and he’s been with us at Daybreak Farm ever since.

My first ride on Pie in 2015, straight out of the paddock!

Bede Murray gifted him to us with the promise he would be the best horse I would ever own and my old boss  has been proven right time and again.

We changed his name to Daybreak Del Pietro and Pie as he is known at home has become a local legend.

He and Jasmine learned to jump together rising up the ranks through Pony Club and interschools before Jasmine’s desire to jump seriously big fences led her to a warmblood and Pie found himself on the back burner.

Jasmine and Pie competed at the 2016 Pony Club State Championships.

The rise of TSHA classes put Pie back in centre stage and with Jack riding him as a second string horse at the big shows, Pie has acquired a wardrobe of TSHA rugs and ribbons earning him a shot at the Opal Series (1m) at Boneo Park in Victoria last year at the Australian National Showjumping Championships.

Pie and Jack have had great fun in the TSHA classes.

Competing over four days in a field of 99 starters, Jack and Pie finished fourth overall to be the highest placed thoroughbred in that open class.

And so to the Equimillion.

Jack and Jas have flown the coop, so I’m going to take the reins this time and trust Pie can bring his magic to SIEC for the big one!

Pie and I are going to try our luck at the Equimillion!

Footnote: Having done my entry today it would appear camping and stabling for this event at SIEC is free.

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.