Mickey (Cosmic Legacy) racing
One of the Sunraysia region’s most iconic pacers of the modern era has made a seamless transition into a rewarding life after racing.
Cosmic Legacy, a winner of 35 races and just shy of $200,000 in prize money under the care of Mildura trainer Brian Sylvia, is the newest edition to the equine family at the Swan Hill branch of Riding Develops Abilities.
Standing 17.3 hands tall and weighing in at well over 600 kilograms, Cosmic Legacy’s sheer physical presence made him a favourite among Victorian harness racing enthusiasts but his most loyal following was in the State’s north, where he notched two thirds of his career wins.
Cosmic Legacy, or “Mickey” as he is now known, spent several years in the paddock upon retirement in 2008 before being entrusted to the care of Strathfields Standardbreds, a specialist re-education and rehoming project located at Myola, near Bendigo.
Sylvia and his wife Virginia, who also owned the giant son of Legacy Of Power, were keen to see the remarkably placid gelding find a purpose beyond the track and felt confident his riding experience while in race training would stand the horse in good stead for a future under saddle.
As predicted, Mickey excelled in his new vocation, answering every riding challenge put before him with an exceptionally calm demeanour and wonderful willingness to please.
“Everyone who came in contact with him fell in love,” Tanya McDermott, of Strathfields Standardbreds revealed, adding that the 14-year-old was a star attraction at this year’s Redwood Day race meeting at Maryborough as a part of a demonstration by the Northern Standardbred Riding Group.
“Mickey’s size is quite confronting but he’s the kindest, most gentle horse you would ever meet,” she explained.
“We were committed to finding the very best opportunity for him and when we heard that Swan Hill RDA was in need of a larger horse to join its team, it seemed like the planets had aligned.”
Mickey blitzed a four week trial, bringing his unflappable temperament to the unique RDA environment and has just been officially signed over to the Swan Hill Centre on an indefinite lease.
“Letting go of such a special horse was very difficult, but everyone involved is absolutely thrilled with the outcome,” McDermott said.
“He still has so much to give and while he was always guaranteed of a loving home, it would have been such a shame to see him wasted in a back paddock,” she suggested.
A growing number of retired Standardbreds are finding their way into RDA centres, thanks largely to a supply partnership forged between Riding Develops Abilities and Harness Racing Australia.
“Mickey is the second horse from our program to join RDA - our very first standie, who raced briefly as Sinatra Castle but is now known as Frank, has been a member of the carriage driving program with RDA in Bendigo for a number of years,” McDermott said.
“The care and attention provided by RDA is second to none and it is a brilliant outlet for Standardbreds who have either come to the end of their racing career or did not make it to the track.
“The horses enjoy regular interaction with people which is something they thrive upon, and they are able to enrich so many lives because of their wonderful trainability and great attitude,” she said.
Swan Hill RDA’s program runs from March and November, meeting every Tuesday from 9.30am to 3pm at Butler Reserve, 21 Tyntynder South Road, Tyntynder (just north of Swan Hill).
For any additional comment please contact Gary Kairn, Harness Racing Australia, on 03 92273000
