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Well-known Group One performer Danleigh has proven he is not just a ‘one-trick pony’ after displaying plenty of ability as a show horse
After only a year and a half since running his last race, four time Group 1 winning veteran Danleigh is enjoying life after the track as a show horse in the Central Coast of NSW.
The Chris Waller trained son of Mujahid (USA) ran his last race in May 2013, and is already making an impression in the show scene as a hunter hack. Out of 63 career starts on the track, Danleigh had 10 wins for over $2.5 million in prize money. His major group 1 wins included the All Aged Stakes and Manikato in 2009, the George Ryder in 2010 and the Chipping Norton in 2011.
The now 11 year old resides on a 3 acre property in the picturesque Jilliby region of Central Coast, NSW. He is now in the care of Farrier Sandy Parker who describes Danleigh as a horse that “loves life and has a great work ethic”.
Sandy works as a farrier for Tim Boland at Limitless lodge where Chris Waller’s horses are broken in and pre-trained. He always had an eye for Danleigh and when the horse retired, Tim offered the horse to Sandy. “The horse had half a year off to let down after racing, he really only had 5-6 months of schooling before his first show” said Sandy.
“Danleigh is a perfect hunter type; he has good bone and a deep girth”. In his short career in the show ring Danleigh has had 6 wins in hunter classes around NSW, his biggest achievement to date is his Top Ten placing at the NSW Horse Of The Year Show in the ridden Newcomer Hunter Hack. He also received Champion led show hunter hack at the same show.
Danleigh has been entered for the 2015 Sydney Royal Easter Show and Canberra Royal. “It’s a great feat for a horse that has only been competing for 6 months, we will now be looking at competing in thoroughbred classes and also schooling him to jump. He will be a great mount for my 14 year old daughter in the near future”
Sandy credits Danleigh’s achievements off the track to Chris Waller and his team who maintained such a ‘sound’ horse during his racing years. He keeps the Waller team updated with photos of Danleigh and his off the track achievements. Sandy appreciates the opportunity that Tim Boland and Danleigh’s owners- Mr and Mrs Leonard have given him to have the horse in his care.
“He’s a real character and a big part of our family”.
Source: nswtrt.org.au