Keira Byrnes and successful ex-racehorse Fox Hill won the Tarraleah CCI2* at the 2010 Sydney 3DE. Fox Hill raced as Trust No One, winning $112 265 in his racing career before being re-homed as an Eventer. They will compete in the Harbour IT CCI3* this year.

2010 marked the bicentenary of racing in Australia. In that time the sport has developed into a $5 billion dollar industry that 'stops the nation'. Australia produces 17 000 foals a season, the second-largest foal crop in the world after the US, and puts 200,000 starters on Australian race tracks every year. The RSPCA estimates that out of 1000 pregnancies in Thoroughbred Australian mares only 300 foals will actually race. With growing concerns about the problem of racehorse 'wastage' it is exciting to announce the high number of these noble animals competing at the Sydney International Three Day Event.

Ex-racehorses often find a suitable career in Eventing. Two of the most memorable who have successfully made the transition in Australia are Jeepster (raced as Delphic Oracle) who won Gold with Stuart Tinney at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and All Luck who competed with Shane Rose at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, recording the fastest time in the world cross country and helping to bring home Silver for Australia. The testing nature of Eventing suits the athleticism and brave character these racehorses are renowned for. Considered the triathlon of equestrian sport, Eventing demands an elegance in Dressage, speed and bravery on cross country and agility and precision in show jumping. Whilst thoroughbreds can be temperamental at times making the harmony needed for dressage difficult, their fitness and willingness to take a leap of faith with their riders is what makes them truly amazing over a tough cross country course. 

At this year's Sydney 3DE, held at the Olympic Equestrian venue where Jeepster won gold, there are 46 ex-racehorses entered across all the levels. Many of the ex-racehorses at the Sydney 3DE were deemed too slow and moved into their new homes before they ever raced, but some of them were very successful on the track, winning a total of $520 595 between them.

Of the 15 entries in the Harbour IT CCI3*, the feature event of this year's Sydney 3 Day, there are 7 horses with a past life as a racehorse. Moving up a level after victory in the Tarraleah CCI2*at last year's 3DE is 16 year old Fox Hill ridden by Keira Byrnes from North Richmond, the most successful ex-racehorse at the 2011 Sydney 3DE. Sired by Savage Toss and racing as Trust No One, Fox Hill had 65 starts in his racing career, winning $112 265. Keira has ridden Fox Hill since 2005 and is aiming to move up yet another level for the Adelaide CCI**** in November.

Of the 15 entries in the Harbour IT CCI3*, the feature event of this year's Sydney 3 Day, there are 7 horses with a past life as a racehorse. Moving up a level after victory in the Tarraleah CCI2*at last year's 3DE is 16 year old Fox Hill ridden by Keira Byrnes from North Richmond, the most successful ex-racehorse at the 2011 Sydney 3DE. Sired by Savage Toss and racing as Trust No One, Fox Hill had 65 starts in his racing career, winning $112 265. Keira has ridden Fox Hill since 2005 and is aiming to move up yet another level for the Adelaide CCI**** in November.

New Zealand competitor Laura Wallace, now based in Bowral, NSW, joins Keira in the 3* with 15 year old ex-steeplechaser Sugoi. The gelding raced as Flying Atoll in NZ and was described in the form guide as having 'no go'

"Obviously I am pretty pleased he was useless. He didn't want to touch the steeplechase fences, making him a perfect Eventer," said Laura who is also aiming to move up a level after Sydney for the Adelaide CCI****.

Joining the list of ex- racehorses in the elite class are Tempus Fugit (raced as It's So Easy) ridden by Tegan Lush from Western Australia, Perfect Encounter (raced as Stressed Out) ridden by Victoria Luxford, Mighty High (raced as Splendorizon) ridden by Eleanor Osbourne, Hitmonchan (raced as Hitmonchan) ridden by Victorian Shay Smith and Kitara Diamond Edition (raced as Condo) ridden by Dominic Ingvall as she competes for selection on the Finish Olympic Team.

Sydney Olympic Gold Medallist Sturt Tinney is also competing in the class, this time on thoroughbred/warmblood cross, Pluto Mio. Stuart will be eager to put in a good performance on this new addition to his stable to show that they are a combination worthy of London 2012.

2008 Olympic Silver Medallist Shane Rose from Werombi, NSW has 2 horses in the Tarraleah Park CCI2* class. One of these is Irish sire Galileo's progeny Il Vici that was raced by trainer Gai Waterhouse. Considered too slow for the track, Il Vici is racking up plenty of victories in Eventing and Shane has high hopes for his future. 7 other thoroughbreds lucky enough to be given a life after racing are entered alongside Il Vici in the 19 strong 2* field.

Each class on the Sydney 3DE program has ex-racers entered in them, including the Young Event Horse Championships being judged by Eventing legend Wayne Roycroft. Wayne has been involved with 8 of Australia's 11 gold medals both as a rider and as the Australian Eventing Team coach and believes that there will always be a place for 'blood' horses in Eventing.

"Our thoroughbreds are the best in the world, built for the demanding nature of cross country. The heavier horses will never be able to meet the gruelling tests placed on them in a Three Day Event," stated Roycroft. Members of the public can meet Wayne at a hosted cross country course walk at 10am on Saturday 10 September.

There is even an ex-racehorse all the way from the USA. Victorian based rider Christian Trainor (Myrniong, VIC) brought All Purpose Brown to Australia in July 2010 after a racing career in Charlestown, West Virginia under the name "Big Ten."

"He had a nasty leap and dive and has always been quirky. I got him because he was so fancy and talented, and put him in the round pen for a few months until he was rideable." Christian will be competing in the Equitak Excel CCI1* class with the aim to move up a grade at the Adelaide 3DE in November when the US grants him qualifications.

Other successful ex-racehorses to watch out for at the Sydney International Three Day Event include...

Burdekin Lad (raced as "Burdekin Lad" & won $80 755) competing in the Over The Top Pre Novice with Lauren Lim

Cil Dara George (raced as "Gait" & won $66 2000) competing in the Tarraleah Park CCI2* with Isabel English

Assume the Crown (raced as "Assume the Crown" & won $52 445) competing in the Over The Top Pre Novice with Clancy Douglas

Better on Sunday (raced as "Sunday's Dreams & won $36 440) competing in the Over The Top Pre Novice with Jessamy Walsh

Duncan (raced as "Bureacratic" & won $36 100) competing in the Young Event Horse 6 Year Old Championship with Rachel Watts

Bandman (raced as "Bandman" & won $27 455) competing in the Over The Top PRe Novice with Alice Hurst

Aim High (raced as "Nicolo Sequalo" & won $25 600) competing in the Equitak Excel CCI1* with Eleanor Osbourne

Regal Royale (raced as "Esemes" & won $22 055) competing in the Eqitak Excell CCI1* with Jessica Cocks