Image – Australian Jumping.
Respected Gundagai racehorse trainer and accomplished Show Jumper Jim Scobie will represent Gundagai Adelong Racing Club at the inaugural Equimillion competition.
Competing at the prestigious Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC) over the October long weekend, Scobie will have ex-racehorses Soxdown and Boomerang Café competing in the Jumping discipline.
Scobie raced Boomerang Café, with the 15-year-old Benicio gelding retiring as a seven-start maiden in 2012.
Soxdown is a 16-year-old Quest For Fame mare that was trained by fellow Gundagai trainer David ‘Darky’ Blundell, which retired as a 15-start maiden in 2012.
Despite not being the fastest gallopers, Scobie’s pair have thrived in their careers after racing, enjoying plenty of success during the Jump Off Series, the Jumping NSW Amateur Championship, and other NSW off-the-track events.
Gundagai Adelong Racing Club will sponsor Scobie’s pair, with the club wanting to throw their support behind a local competitor.
“I already planned to enter two horses, the same two horses that competed in the Jump Off Series, and Mick (Crowe) and the club wanted to help out,” Scobie said.
“I suppose the fact that I’m a local trainer makes sense that Gundagai Adelong Racing Club supported me, not that I ever expected it, but it is nice to have that support.”
The Equimillion, run under the Equestrian Australia banner, is only open to ex-racehorses and will showcase four disciplines, including Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, and Show Horse.
With over $1 million in prize money on offer across a minimum of 44 classes, Scobie welcomed the event with open arms.
“I just think it’s fantastic; I think we are all in the same boat,” Scobie said.
“It’s challenging to place horses now, and you have to put a bit of thought into it.
“Not all horses are suitable for everyone and every discipline, and as a trainer, it’s my responsibility to find the right home for every horse.
“You have a lot of obligations to do something with ex-racehorses, and because of the money and prestige of this event, I think more and more people will be looking around and trying to find something suitable, which will only mean more people will be trying to buy NSW-raced horses.”
Having a horse ready for the Equimillion takes time, and Scobie’s pair will head into the competition with plenty of experience under their saddles.
“There is a fair bit of work involved, and we’ll go into a couple of competitions to get up to speed,” Scobie said.
“As far as jumping, my two already know how to do that, and it’s not the jumping I’m worried about, but the fitness and the day-to-day riding, which is what we’ll be working on.”
Scobie has been rehoming and jumping horses for the best part of 40 years. According to Gundagai Adelong Racing Club President Michael Crowe, he was thrilled to be able to back Scobie’s Equimillion endeavour.
“The Equimillion is great for a guy like Jim, who has been rehoming and jumping ex-racehorses for many years,” Crowe said.
“He finally gets the chance to compete at the high level where there is some good prizemoney to be won, and that is a good reward for all his hard work.
“Jim throws a lot of money into retraining horses for a life after racing, and I think it’s important as a club we support him, especially because he is a local trainer and local competitor.
“Plus, Jim and Kathy are involved in many facets around Gundagai, and not just racing, but they are the first to put their hands up for anything and are always volunteering at different things and helping out where they can.”
Scobie isn’t the only competitor being sponsored by NSW race clubs at the 2023 Equimillion, with many other clubs following suit and supporting local competitors.
While Scobie will prepare Soxdown and Boomerang Café for the rich Equimillion, where they will each compete for their share of $30,000, the Gundagai trainer will be off to Canberra on Friday with last-start winner Wild Buckeroo in action.
The eight-year-old broke through for his first win at start 30 when racing at Queanbeyan on September 4, winning the 1460m Country Boosted Maiden Plate.
At Canberra, Wild Buckeroo (Coriah Keatings) will compete in the 1600m Class One Handicap.
For Canberra fields, click here.
For more on the Equimillion, click here.
