Finding a stable home

From the moment he first set foot in the Flemington stables of trainer Troy Corstens, Spring Choice became a firm favourite with everyone who was part of the Corstens team and Malua Racing.

So, when the chestnut gelding ran his last race at Sandown in June 2021, Troy quickly stepped in to offer Spring Choice a new career and a forever home. Today he’s one of two stable ponies at the Corstens stable and he works alongside fellow former racehorse, Morrissy, who retired in February 2023.

“Troy always loved Spring Choice and when he retired because of tendon injuries, Troy asked the owners if he could keep him as a stable pony and they all agreed,” says Will Larkin, Assistant Trainer at Malua Racing.

“Troy had a lot of respect for Spring Choice because he was tough and always tried to pick himself up after injury. I think it was always part of the plan to retrain him as a stable pony once his racing days were over.”

Stable ponies are the unsung heroes of the racing industry. Often a role taken on by racehorses after they finish their life on the track, each stable pony is carefully chosen to offer companionship and reassurance to younger horses. Their calm temperament and good nature are effective at soothing nerves in unfamiliar or highly-charged environments, such as the races.

“Spring Choice has always had a great temperament. When he went out to work he got excited, but in the stable he’s always been a kind-natured, well-behaved horse. We could walk him round on a loose lead and he’d never get agitated,” said Larkin.

Before beginning their new role as stable ponies, horses usually require some re-training to adjust to their slower-paced lifestyle. First, Spring Choice was given almost a year to fully recover from his tendon injury. He spent time relaxing in the paddocks at Malua Racing’s property in Benalla before rebuilding his strength and mobility on the treadmill.

“Then we had to teach him to relax and to understand that not everything in his life was about speed anymore,” explained Larkin.

Every time he went out to the track at Flemington, he thought he was going out to run and he’d get excited because he loved racing. We had to teach him that he wasn’t there for that any longer and to change his mindset.

“Initially he wasn’t a lover of being next to other horses and he liked doing things on his own, but we trained him to get used to accompanying other horses by taking him in the trucks and standing him next to our other horses. He responded brilliantly and he’s still a stable favourite.”

Spring Choice shares his stable pony duties with fellow retired racehorse Morrissy. Each horse works for three or four months at Flemington and then spells in Benalla while their counterpart takes over at Flemington.

Morrissy was owned by Shane Morrissy who readily handed over the now eight-yearold chestnut gelding to Malua Racing when the horse ended his racing career last year. Morrissy’s even temper and patience made him an ideal candidate to become a stable pony.

“Morrissy wasn’t showing the same vigour so we decided it was time to retire him and Shane agreed he’d be an ideal stable pony because absolutely nothing fazes him. A bomb could go off nearby and he wouldn’t even raise his head from the grass! He doesn’t shy away from anything and we’ve always been able to saddle him up without even tying him up. He’s been that way since he was a two- and three-year- old,” said Larkin.

“When he was at the races, he’d work himself up a bit behind the gate and he’d display some nervous energy, but at home he’s always been quiet, easy-going and is one of the most beautiful horses I’ve ever come across.”

Morrissy was quick to adapt to the stable pony role and didn’t require any special training to take on his new responsibilities. The only change in his routine, and that of Spring Choice, was a tweaking of their diet.

Both horses now eat a moderated diet, rather than the high-grain feeds that help boost energy levels that was needed when they
were racing.

When they are on duty, Spring Choice and Morrissy walk to the racetrack with Malua Racing’s inexperienced and newer horses who may be nervous and need a calming, mature companion to ease their nerves.

“They walk out with our babies and first timers. It’s a long way from the stables to the racetrack – about a kilometre – and so there’s plenty of time for young horses or those with a bit of character to play around or get worked up if they’re that way inclined,” explained Larkin.

“Having Morrissy or Spring Choice walk next to them helps the younger horses settle as they make that walk. Otherwise there’s a real possibility that the horses will learn bad habits or be naughty and injure themselves or the staff.

“The younger horses are learning what their life is all about and having a horse like Morrissy next to them, who never reacts to anything, teaches the newer horses that they don’t have to worry about what is happening around them. He helps them relax and learn how to do things properly.”

Morrissy also walks horses to the gates during jump out sessions and he’s a calming travel companion when more inexperienced horses need to be driven to racetracks around the state. His personality has endeared him not only to his fellow stablemates, but to the team at Malua Racing.

“He’s definitely a favourite. He looks after us and we look after him. He’s been with us since he was a yearling and I spend every day with him. He loves being around people and he loves his carrots and getting a pat,” said Larkin.

“The stable pony role is a very important one and it’s great when our horses can remain with us in that role. We spend so much time with our horses and you develop such love for each and every one.

“When our horses are no longer fulfilling their role in racing and they retire, we always want them to enjoy a good life. Whether that is becoming a jumper or a horse that looks after other horses in the stables and paddocks, we want to find them a home
where they will always be looked after.”