Off The Track: Bashboy

This article is from the October 2020 Horse Deals magazine.

Bashboy is rather an unprepossessing name for a jumper, especially a showjumper, but, as breeder and owner, Ian MacDonald, says, what’s in a name? Bashboy is Australia’s most successful steeplechaser, having won the Grand National Steeplechase three times, in 2012, 2013 and 2015 at 12 years old. He won the Crisp Steeplechase four times, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Jumps jockey, Steven Pateman, who partnered Bash for much of his success declared, “he is the best chaser we’ve had since Crisp.” He won $65,000 on the flat and a record-breaking $1,020,000 over the jumps. Thought to have broken down, never to race again after his flat career, Bashboy went on to break all records as a jumper. Forced into retirement at 13 as a result of the racing industry stating that horses could not race once they turned 13, Bashboy embarked on a showjumping career and is having great success with 16-year-old Dandenong Ranges Pony Club member, Bella Lloyd, who before COVID-19 was planning to make her National Junior Championship debut with the super horse at Boneo in November.

Bashboy was foaled in 2003 and is by Perugino (USA) the sire of Testa Rosa and three-quarter brother of Sandler’s Wells out of the quite successful Pre Emptive Strike mare, Strike High. In his breeding, all roads lead to the great and influential, Italian-bred and undefeated, Nearco. He is the grandsire of Dutch Bred Thoroughbred, Lucky Boy who sired a slew of successful showjumpers in Europe and North America, including Melanie Smith’s 1982 World Cup winner and 1984 Olympic Team Gold Medallist, Calypso. That connection will do Bashboy no harm as he embarks as a mature age showjumper. Bashboy got his name thanks to Ian MacDonald’s then eleven-year-old son, Lachlan given naming rights. Bashboy had 56 starts for 18 wins (14 jumps wins from 19 starts) ten second placings and three thirds.

“He is a wonderful horse,” says MacDonald. “I did not breed him to jump and he did both tendons racing on the flat. I put him in the paddock for 18 months to recover, assuming he would never race again. After that time he looked as if he wanted to do something. I got the vet to look at his tendons and he thought they looked good, so we sent him to a fellow to rehab. He did miles and miles of trotting work behind a sulky with trotting trainer, Lee Evison from Longwarry, and he recovered to become the champion chaser he was. He won the Grand National in 2015 and we were preparing him for the race in 2016 when it was decided by the racing industry that all horses should be retired at 13.

“What do you do with a Champion like that when he retires? Do you put him in a paddock, or do you find a suitable caring home for him? He went to a couple of riders before he found a home for the duration of his useful career with Kelly and Bella Lloyd. They are having a great time with Bashboy and he will be competitive at a certain level and they keep me informed with his progress and achievements. When he retires this time he will come back and live out his days with me.”

“He was about to go back to Ian, when a friend, Robyn Charman whose son, David had been riding him, suggested that Bella take Bash,” explains Kelly Lloyd. “We went and saw him and took him and it has all worked out really well. Bash went to Bella’s jumping coach, Amy (Strapp) Kemp for a week because we weren’t sure it would work. Bella has been jumping with Amy for four years now and Amy is very particular and she wanted to make sure that Bash was suitable. Bella rode him at Amy’s for about a week and then we brought him home to Emerald. They started him off really low and both Amy and Bella have taught Bash a lot and they are just going from strength to strength. We have had him for 18 months and he is 17 now.”

“Amy really likes him,” says Bella, “but COVID has halted our training process somewhat. However, I call Amy every week and discuss his training programme and progress. So at the moment, we are just keeping him ticking over and keeping him fit and happy. He’s 16.2hh and really carries himself well, so he feels bigger. He is good to ride and I really like riding him. He’s not strong and he tries his heart out for me. He is very willing and will always try to please. We have done some schooling over cross country jumps and he loved it, but I am just concentrating on showjumping.”

“He’s so willing,” adds Kelly, “and from a mother’s point of view, I don’t even bat an eyelid when they are doing the bigger rounds and he is lovely to handle. He loves having his head patted, but does not like to be patted elsewhere. Patting and brushing has to be discussed first, but that has never caused an issue and he’s such a clever boy.”

Highlights with Bella

2019

• Mentone Pony Club Showjumping - overall Champion B grade
• Dandenong Ranges Moomba Showjumping - overall Champion B grade
• Australia Interschool State Championships - 1st place 110cm
• Best performed OTT at Victorian Interschool State Championships 
• Pony Club Victoria State Championships - Pairs Dressage. 1st at Zone Qualifier, 6th at the State Competition

2020

• Berwick Show Junior Class - 2nd overall
• World Wetlands Day World Cup Boneo Park - 5th OTT class
• Shepparton Showjumping 105cm - 5th place

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