Living Legends

On a recent holiday to Melbourne, the first thing on my agenda was to visit Living

Pakistan Star

Legends. Based in Woodlands Park, Living Legends provides a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the world’s equine excellence. Post their racing career they are provided with a permanent home where they live with a paddock mate/s and the public can walk around the farm at their leisure or on a guided tour to visit, pat, feed and take photos with the legends.

With the depth of racing internationally, the criteria are roughly to be a two-time group one winning horse but they make exceptions for the cult horses who may not have won but have a huge following to attract the crowds to the farm. The farm is open 7 days a week and operates two guided tours in which you get a more personal experience including the chance to feed treats to the legends.

Founded by Andrew Clarke, the farm features many horses from several different

Beauty Generation

countries, particularly those who have raced in Australia and Hong Kong. However, it does feature some Kiwi-bred horses who’ve raced overseas and imports that raced in Australia including Melbourne Cup winner Twilight Payment. Some of the Kiwi horses included Johnny Get Angry, Beauty Generation, Brew, Prince of Penzance and Efficient. Featured on the gate of every paddock is an information card about the horses. This showed the breeding, owners and race record to give insight to the visitors about the horse.

What is most important about Living Legends is the positive perception it creates for the public image. Now more than ever the racing industry is under scrutiny from all sorts of people. Education and a safe and permanent home after racing are crucial to show the care provided for our horses. Part of the role of horses at the farm, they attend race meetings and lead the field around the birdcage and interact with the public enjoying all the affection the public can give. The farm also provides a space to show off our best horses and their thriving and living happy lives being spoilt and loved by staff and visitors.

This has got to be one of the greatest assets to Australian racing, and a brilliant concept by its creators. The staff are so warm, lovely and educated and show so much attention to detail and it’s obvious their love for the horses.

Tom Melbourne Apache Cat (front) Gallelio Chop (behind)