Pony Racing Heads to South Australia

Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC) is excited to announce that an exhibition pony race will open the card on a big day of racing at Murray Bridge Race Club Gifford Hill track, which features the richest juvenile race in South Australia, the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic on Saturday 5 March 2022.

TIC, together with Pony Club Australia (PCA), Racing SA, Magic Millions and the Murray Bridge Racing Club (MBRC) are collaborating to put on the pony race following the recent success of the inaugural TIC Pony Race, held in conjunction with Magic Millions and the Brisbane Racing Club at Doomben racecourse, as well as the Australia Day Pony Race at Warwick Farm with the Australian Turf Club.

As one of TIC’s main operating pillars, Pony Racing is aimed at generating industry involvement and interest at a grassroots level.

“The best way to know a sport is to participate in it, and our goal is to reach as many young riders as we can so that they will be able to understand all the career opportunities the thoroughbred industry offers. In turn, we hope this assists to alleviate the nationwide staff shortages in the long term,” said TIC Chief Executive Officer, Lindy Maurice.

“Katie Page was instrumental in making the first Pony Race get off the ground in Brisbane, so it is a nice fit to have another Pony Race on Magic Millions showcase raceday in South Australia.”

“We have seen the positive reaction the TIC Pony Race has had on raceday patron’s interstate, so we jumped at the chance to support Lindy and bring a race here to South Australia so our locals can also join in the fun,” said, Racing SA CEO, Nick Redin.

“The Magic Millions SA Raceday is a highlight on our calendar, and the 2022 edition features the running of not only the 2YO Classic but the new $120,000 3YO & 4YO Classic. The addition of the TIC Pony Race and the involvement from the local Pony Club Australia (PCA) members only adds to the thrill of the day,” said Redin.

The exhibition race will see up to 11 ponies race down the Murray Bridge home straight. The riders and ponies are selected by PCA, of which TIC is a major sponsor.

CEO of PCA, Dr Catherine Ainsworth said, “PCA provides riding and horsemanship education in a broad range of horse sports, and we are pleased to offer this additional opportunity to our riders at such a big event. Selected riders will be able to demonstrate their partnership with their pony and their riding skills to an audience of horse-lovers.”

About: Formed in 2019, with support from Adrian Bott & Gai Waterhouse Racing, the Australian Turf Club, Arrowfield Stud, Chris Waller Racing, Godolphin, Lindsay Park Racing and McEvoy Mitchell Racing, TIC is a not-for-profit organisation. TIC aims to provide a centralised platform to promote racing and breeding industry careers options, introduce grassroots programs, facilitate best practice education pathways, and assist in developing staff retention and welfare strategies for career longevity.

ENDS