#FindMagic: Emotional owner begs for the return of stolen horse

POLICE are searching for thieves who made off with a horse named Magic in the dead of the night from a paddock in Chifley.

Bree Irvine in happier times with her stolen horse called Magic.

CHRISTMAS was ruined for 20-year-old Bree Irvine after heartless thieves stole her champion horse named Magic.

The black nag was targeted in the early hours of Christmas Eve after thieves forced their way into the La Perouse Pony Club in Chifley.

The perpetrators managed to break through chains and reinforced fences, also making away with a horse float and eight horse rugs.

For the past four days, Ms Irvine — who has been riding since she was eight — has been desperately trawling for clues.

“Dad was the one who discovered he has been taken — at first he noticed the float was gone and then he did a headcount and noticed Magic was missing,” she said.

“It’s shattering. My entire life is now to find him. From the morning until 2am I’m calling vets, saleyards — anything to locate him”.

The young rider has owned the black gelding since she was 13.

Bree Irvine and Magic.

Magic just by himself.

“At first, Magic was angry. He’d buck and was really difficult to handle. It was obvious he had been mistreated and just hated being around people,” she said.

“We started off by getting him massage treatment, cleansing his system, going to clinics, and teaching him that it’s okay to love a human”.

After two years of gaining the trust, Ms Irvine said Magic became “like a new horse”.

“We started going to competitions and started winning everything. He never came home without a blue ribbon. He was unstoppable,” she said.

The latest event was four weeks ago, when Magic won the club’s jamboree.

Ms Irvine said pleas on social media have generated dozens of messages of support with the hashtag #FindMagic shared hundreds of times. But despite efforts, there have been few leads.

“There’s nothing promising so far (and) the CCTV footage from the main intersection near the pony club hasn’t turned up anything,” she said.

“I just want him back unharmed”.

Magic is described as a black/brown gelding, approximately 11-13 years old, with white star markings on his face.

The white horse float with registration V64902 is believed to have been used to transport the stolen animal.

Anyone with information should contact Maroubra Police Station on 9349 9299 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.