Retired sprinter Chautauqua retrained for life in the show ring

He’s the champion sprinter who bemused racing fans by refusing to jump from the barriers on race day. But now, Chautauqua is preparing for a new life in the ring — although the gentle giant’s famous quirks are here to stay.

Casey Bruce and her three-year-old Taylor with retired champion racehorse Chautauqua. Picture: Jason Edwards

The horse who won hearts when he refused to race is preparing to put on a show.

Chautauqua was recognised as the world’s best sprinter in his racing heyday until the grey flash was “retired” when he repeatedly refused to jump from the barriers.

In the hands of former jockey and experienced equestrian Casey Bruce, the former speed machine is proving to be a quick and eager learner for life in the show ring.

He retains some of his famous quirks but is proving to be a gentle giant, bonding with Bruce’s three-year-old daughter, Taylor.

“Those two are kind of BFFs,” said Bruce, who has had the horse in her care since August.

While he is called “Sharky” at his new Romsey home, he will compete as Chautauqua.

Chautauqua was notorious for his refusal to race.

The thoroughbred was the world’s best sprinter in his racing heyday. Picture: Colleen Petch

“We needed a paddock name for him,” Bruce said.

“When I spoke to a couple of his strappers, they said his name was ‘S---head’, and I said: ‘I can’t call him that.’

“The Hawkes stable (who trained him during his racing days) in Sydney called him ‘Sharky’ and their stable down in Melbourne called him ‘Chad’.

“We decided to go with ‘Sharky’.”

As he did on the racetrack, where he was as famous for his incredible turn of speed as he was for his refusal at the end of his career to leave the starting barriers, Sharky has some quirks that Bruce is working through.

“He is like most thoroughbreds that come off the track, he has a high level of anxiety at the moment as he learns about his new life,” she said.

“Also this big fellow is used to being transported on big trucks, and has been pretty much all his life, and I think he feels really claustrophobic in our horse float.

Casey Bruce is retraining Chautauqua as a show horse. Picture: Jason Edwards

“He is not too comfortable with the confined space our float offers so we potentially need to go shopping for a new one for him.”

While he is yet to step foot in a show ring, he is already an equine influencer with sponsors including Peter Horobin Saddlery, Hygain, Finishing Touch browbands, ARIAT Australia, Digestive EQ and Ascot Saddlery.

Bruce is well aware there are a lot of eyes on her as she works towards Chautauqua’s show ring debut, tentatively pencilled in for October.

She was one of many who approached the horse’s owner Rupert Leigh to train him post his racing career.

“I rang and said I was interested and I put together a strong case,” she said.

“Rob (Gaylard) and I drew up a bit of a plan of what we would like to do with him and what we thought he could be.

“I rang about once a fortnight or once every three weeks just so Rupert knew I was serious.

The gentle giant has formed a strong bond with his new trainer. Picture: Jason Edwards

“Mind you, I was not the only one calling. I think the queue for people keen to have this horse was probably from here to Queensland.”

She is refusing to rush his evolution from racehorse to show hack.

“I call it a big, giant, beauty pageant,” Bruce said of showing.

“He has to be beautiful, he has to be a team with me, he has to have that wow factor that catches a judge’s eye, he has to be correct in his conformation, which he is, and he also has to be able to move and cover the ground, which he does.

“His job in the show ring is to be beautiful and elegant and carry me around in a few circles for five or 10 minutes and look good while doing it, which he is very capable of doing.

“We are not going to be pushed or forced into anything. If the horse is not ready (to compete) or I am not ready, we don’t go.

Casey Bruce is preparing the retired racehorse for the show ring. Picture: Jason Edwards

Chautauqua has been adjusting to his new life. Picture: Jason Edwards

“All good show horses take over 12 months to get into the ring and this is not a race.

“He is a very, very smart horse and he is a credit to everyone that has trained him previously.

“He absolutely loves what he is doing now.

“The whole time he works his ears are pricked, he is obliging, he tries, his mind is ticking over and he really enjoys it and for me that is my biggest pleasure.

“I would like to see him succeed but regardless of whether he wins a ribbon or not I think that every single person who saw him on a racetrack wanted him to have a good life and a loving home once he finished racing and he is getting a lot of love.”

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