When Despacito crossed the line first as a longshot at Sandown Park last Wednesday, it was a big moment for the Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC) Explorer Cadetship Program.
The 3-year-old All American filly is trained by Tony McEvoy, whose McEvoy Mitchell racing is a big supporter of TIC and currently has cadets from the program’s first intake completing their work placement at the stable. One such cadet is Becki Barlow, who was assigned the job of strapping Despacito when she started her work placement.
That assignment saw her lead up the filly at Sandown when the filly registered her second career victory.
“She’s the first horse I’ve taken to the races at my work placement,” Barlow said. “It was the most amazing feeling, knowing I’ve ridden her work, and gotten her ready for this and to see her win was almost like a proud mum moment.”
Barlow said the experience has taught her to expect the unexpected when taking a horse to the races. “One thing I’ve learnt over time is that horses are never the same at the races as they are at the stables,” she said.
Barlow will spend the next four months continuing her work at McEvoy Mitchell Racing before moving on to a stud farm placement where she will be learning all there is to learn about horses’ lives before they enter a racing stable.
If you’d like to experience the winning feeling Barlow had last weekend, you can apply for our second intake of the Explorer Cadetship Program here.