It has been five years since Chautauqua set the Flemington straight alight with his win in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning, and life certainly looks different for the champion sprinter now.
The winner of 13 of his 32 races, his six Group 1 victories included the Chairman’s Sprint in Hong Kong and he became the first horse to win the TJ Smith Stakes in Sydney in three consecutive years. He was known as ‘The Grey Flash’ and loved by racing fans for his spectacular last-to-first racing style, breathtaking wins and that glorious dappled grey coat.
Following his retirement from racing, he was entrusted to the care of former jockey and accomplished show rider Casey Bruce to manage his transition to the showring and recently made a significant step with his first official appearance at the Show Horse Council of Victoria Horse of The Year Show at Werribee.
He had the misfortune to run into fellow multiple Group 1 winner, superstar Hartnell who won the Champion Led Rising Star Thoroughbred class (Chautauqua, or “Sharky” as he is affectionately known, finished fourth), but settled more throughout the day to finish runner-up in the Fashions on the Field class, which judges competitors and their horses' style and fashion.
Bruce was thrilled with his first showring appearance. “Didn't he just do well out there? He did everything I asked of him," she said.
