On the 4th of December 2021 the running of the inaugural Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC) Demonstration Pony Race occurred at Doomben Racecourse (Brisbane Racing Club) and was sponsored by Magic Millions.
We had 13 children involved in the event aged between eight and fifteen years old. There was a field of ten children involved in the race itself up the Doomban straight, with a further three taking their place as the starter and clerks of the course for the day.
The ten children taking their place in the race were represented by silks from some of TIC’s founding partners and other significant contributors including Magic Millions, Godolphin, Chris Waller Racing, Arrowfield, Lindsay Park, Ciaron Maher Racing, Adrian and Jessica Bott, Carl and Lorraine Holt and Woppit Bloodstock. Whilst the children’s ponies donned Magic Millions saddlecloths.
The winner of the race was 12yo Antonia Salmoni riding ‘Lexi’ (Chris Waller Racing silks). Antonia was a fitting winner of the event as she has aspirations of becoming a jockey herself one day, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, a former jockey and her idol, Michelle Payne. In second place was 11yo Kadell Sykes on ‘Hello Dolly’ in the Ciaron Maher silks followed by 10yo Harriet Smith on ‘Rio’ in the Carl and Lorraine Holt colours made famous recently by ‘Zaaki’.
The event was a resounding success with the children’s enjoyment and love for their ponies at the centre of the day. All participants got to experience the full thrill of a race day with David Fowler calling the action, interviews from television presenters and even Channel 7 coverage. We express sincere gratitude to Katie Page of Magic Millions, all the above mentioned supporters, the Brisbane Racing Club, Gold Coast Turf Club, Channel 7, Pony Club Australia and photographers for your support in this wonderful event.
Pony Club Australia (PCA) has been an instrumental organisation in Australia’s history, with around 850 clubs scattered right across the country, and over 40,000 members.
It was the first major sponsorship we planned before we launched TIC three years ago, because we wanted to financially support this historic organisation for all the work they do, predominantly, through parents and volunteer helpers.
Cute alert!
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) December 4, 2021
The inaugural @mmsnippets pony race took place today 😍 pic.twitter.com/qDBlsaitJC
Photography credit: Luke Marsden & Michael McInally
