The second leg of the National Pony Racing Series is set down for this Friday night, October 27, at The Valley, where some of Victoria’s best junior riders will showcase their horse skills while being mentored by two legends of Australian racing.
This Friday, Cox Plate Eve, will see the first race run between Races 1 and 2 at The Valley, before the second event over the slightly longer course of 650m is held between Races 3 and 4.
Riders on Friday are in for a special treat, with Melbourne Cup history makers Glen Boss and Michelle Payne on hand to offer encouragement and advice to the riders in their roles as ambassadors for the Victorian leg of the series.
“The Valley is a pretty special place for our riders to compete,” Thoroughbred Industry Careers’ Lindy Maurice said.
“This will be our third time with the pony races after previous events at the William Reid Stakes meetings in 2022 and 2023. The fact we have Michelle and Glen there, plus our series ambassadors Lizzie Jelfs and Lisa Coffey, ensures it will be a memorable experience for each and every one of our riders.”
Pony exhibition races have proven popular on some of Australia’s biggest racetracks over the past few years and earlier this year a partnership was formed to formalise the series.
Thoroughbred Industry Careers, in conjunction with Pony Club Australia, launched the National Pony Racing series to create awareness of career opportunities in the thoroughbred industry. The first qualifier was run in Brisbane in August at Eagle Farm, with races run for two pony height divisions (riders aged between nine and 15).
The Valley will be the second leg before the series moves to Perth in December on Group 1 Northerly Stakes Day, then on to the Gold Coast over the Magic Millions Carnival, Sydney on Australia Day and Adelaide for their Cup Day.
First and second placegetters from the respective qualifying heats will then compete in The Finals at Randwick during the 2024 Sydney Autumn Carnival.
Maurice said the series would not be possible without the support of the sponsors, whose colours will be worn by the riders and represent Australia’s leading stables, studs, sales companies and owners: Annabel Neasham Racing, Arrowfield Stud, Carl and Lorraine Holt, Chris Waller Racing, Ciaron Maher Racing, Craig Sneesby, Frank and Christine Cook, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing, Godolphin, Hermitage Thoroughbreds, Inglis, Jonathan Munz, Linda Huddy, Lizzie Jelfs Racing Club, Magic Millions, John O’Neill and Ozzie Kheir, Ranvet, Seymour Bloodstock, Woppitt Bloodstock and Yulong Stud.
Gai Waterhouse, Lizzie Jelfs and Kerrin McEvoy are official ambassadors for the series.
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