Horse Training Success

Happy Monday to you all. Here's a feelgood story for you from the rather recent Melbourne Cup.

I'm not sure how many of you are aware of the large 'surplus' that occurs in the racing industry. It is a horrible fact that most Thoroughbreds are not quick enough to make a career on the racetrack and that most end up slaughtered. And that while some of these are broken down, unsound or bad tempered, most are perfectly good horses.

Obviously that wasn't the feelgood part of the story! This next bit is. Some people have realised that these excellent and useful horses, who have only suffered bad luck, can be saved at a bargain price. And this one person with a good eye, a kind heart and a helping of intuition, has had her kindness repaid in spades.

"Early last year, Decency, a half-sister to Viewed, was waiting to be slaughtered at an abattoir near Brisbane. She was saved by a horse lover who paid $600 for her.

Decency is now in foal, with breeding experts saying that, as a close relative of a Melbourne Cup winner, she would be worth $100,000 and her foal about the same. The powerful mare was discovered in the abattoir by Rebecca Bates, who was searching for a riding horse for a friend."

How's THAT for a great ending? Full story here:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/horse-racing/phil-wilkins/2008/11/13/1226318840546.html