The Big Gee gets a Second Chance

Once in a while, you come across a thoroughbred with eyes too kind, nature so beautiful and behaviour very sensible. One cannot help being charmed instantly by the gentle demeanour. The Big Gee is one such fine horse.

The Big Gee arrived at Steven Burridge Racing Stables in 2007 from Adelaide. His owner was a Japanese businessman, Masa Otani. Masa is an ardent supporter of horse-racing and owns racehorses in Japan, Australia and Singapore. Masa also owns El Dorado who has won the last 2 Singapore Gold Cups - a fantastic achievement by any standard. Masa's wife Yuki is an avid dressage rider and owns a 16.1hh grey gelding Hungarian Warmblood at the Bukit Timah Saddle Club.

 Big Gee won his second start in a race here in Singapore, having already notched up numerous wins in Australia. Being brave and honest, he has been a good horse to his trainers- Steven and Julie Burridge. He won 4 races here in Singapore under Steven. His last run, with jockey Vlad Duric was on 22 January 2010 when he raced over 1000m on the Polytrack. He emerged victorious and set a new track record at the time.

During the regular post-race medical check, it was found that Big Gee’s foreleg was facing niggling suspensory ligament issue. His future in racing was cast with a looming shadow. His owners and trainers, having Big Gee’s interests at heart, made the pre-emptive decision to retire him from racing. 

It is a sad future, if any at all, for race-horses after their days on the track. Many horses become plagued by various ailments due to the demanding racing days. They also find it hard to adapt to a quiet life without racing. These discouraging factors make it futile to rehome ex-racehorses.

As horses come and go, one sometimes finds inexplicably bonding to one particular horse. That’s what happened with Big Gee, his trainers and owners, and is especially evident in Julie Burridge’s attachment to Big Gee. She was determined to secure a good retirement for him. Julie sought the help of Amanda Fischer, who recognised the potential in him to soar in other equestrian challenges. It took only a month for her to be impressed with Big Gee.

Amanda's dad owned an aggistment farm in Adelaide where she grew up around thoroughbreds. She had been responsible for the preparation of yearlings (12 month old horses) for the sales. She was involved with breaking in young horses to enable them to be ridden and in pre-training of the race horses. Brood mares and foalings were all part of her work entourage. As a teenager, she enjoyed a lot of success in endurance riding. Her passion for hunting back home has seen her win in several sporting events. It was this expertise that makes her believe that Big Gee has huge potential for another career beyond racing.

“He (The Big Gee) is a sensible horse. He has such lovely nature and fantastic temperament.  He will turn around much quicker than most horses and should do well in dressage (events)“, says Amanda. Not surprisingly, he has been responding well to flat work sessions and enjoys the post-race life.

The Big Gee blessed with a gentle temperament and an attitude open to relearning, has a rare shot at second chance. HIs blessings are further compounded in the presence of not one, but three incredible ladies- Yuki Otani, Julie Burridge and Amanda Fischer- to shower him with affection and care. The three friends collaborated to ‘sneak’ Big Gee to the Saddle Club. They take care of Big Gee although Amanda is his real mum now.

The three ladies whose combined experiences and expertise in equine matters can easily be the envy of any equestrian professional. They saw the kindness and talent in The Big Gee, his ability to succeed in another career after his racing days.

Their unfaltering belief in Big Gee and Amanda’s availability to care for and train him has made it possible for Big Gee to enjoy a good future he truly deserves.