Living Legends in the spotlight

The Weekly Times WED 30 JUL 2008

The effects of the equine influenza will ripple through the Australian horse industry for years. The Living Legends museum at the historic Woodlands property, near Tullamarine, was particularly hard hit by the outbreak. The "rest home'' for retired racehorses is a charitable organisation that allows the public to get up close and personal with some of their equine heroes.

``We opened just before the Spring (Racing) Carnival in 2006 and got through the first spring,'' Living Legends chief executive Dr Andrew Clarke said. "Then we were totally shut down the second spring through the EI.'' The museum is now back in full swing, with the 11 racing legends showing off to adoring visitors.

Some of the retired racehorses from the Living Legends will be at Asia Pacific Equitana at the Melbourne Showgrounds on November 20-23. All the racehorses are used to the spotlight -- so they will be used to the 60,000 people attending Equitana. "Silent Witness is a real show-off,'' Andrew said. The big bay gelding won more than $9 million racing in Hong Kong and retired to Woodlands last year. Other such familiar names as Might and Power, Better Loosen Up, Brew and Sky Heights romp in the paddocks in their thick winter rugs. "Some people get such a thrill being up close to these horses,'' Andrew said.

Andrew's lifelong passion for horses has given the Living Legends museum a great start. Despite setbacks such as the EI outbreak, the vet loves his job and enjoys the interaction between the old track stars and their fans. "This is a great opportunity for the (Thoroughbred) industry to promote ourselves,'' Andrew said. It is set on 700ha of sprawling bushland. The historic Woodlands homestead is open to the public. For more information visit www.livinglegends.org.au

Andrew is also assisting with the program and coordination of the horse health presentations at EQUITANA.