New Life for Stable Star

After giving his all for us every time he raced, and in doing so being crowned Champion Polytrack Horse of the Year 2012, our fantastic horse Flying Fulton was officially retired after his last start on Friday 7th March.

Flying Fulton flew the flag proudly for Te Akau Racing since he burst onto the Singapore scene winning his first ever race start here back in December 2010. He went on to win a total of 11 races including:

1st Committees Prize (G3 $200,000)
1st News Years Cup (G3 $200,000)
1st Polytrack Mile Championship (G3 $200,00)
1st Colonial Chief Stakes (G3 $175,000)
1st Marsiling Classic Stakes (G3 $150,000)
2nd EW Barker Trophy (G2 $350,000)
2nd Chairman's Trophy (G2 $300,000)
3rd Patron's Bowl (G1 $500,000)

Flying Fulton ( aka “Ace”) amassed $1,296,325.00 in prizemoney during 3 seasons of racing in Singapore.

He was purchased by David Ellis at the 2008 NZB Ready To Run Sale and after winning a Listed race in NZ but then really struggling to find form there, he joined our first group of horses bound for Singapore in September 2010.

From day one Ace loved living and racing in Singapore and his results on the racetrack were testament to that. He definitely ‘grew an extra leg' once he got to Singapore.

All good things must come to an end and when Ace could only manage a very battling 10th in this year's Polytrack Mile Championship -  a race he had romped to victory in two years before - we knew the day had come to let this great horse bow out of the racing game with his health and spirit still well in tact.

The decision to retire him was certainly tinged with considerable sentiment as Flying Fulton was our “poster boy” for three years and such a proud, intelligent and truly noble horse.

As they say one door closes and another one opens and thankfully for Ace and all of us who love him, the door that opened was to his new home at the Bukit Timah Saddle Club here in Singapore where he headed just four days after his last race.

Situated on the old Singapore Racecourse, Bukit Timah Saddle Club is an equine oasis in the heart of Singapore. Only 10 minutes drive from the glamour boutiques of Orchard Road, yet surrounded by greenery, it is a haven for horses - and plenty of monkeys, squirrels, monitor lizards, colourful birds and a couple of nice cafes as well !

Mark and Julia's two children, Zavier and Alexis share a pony and are learning to ride at BTSC which is how they came to find an opportunity for Ace to go there.

The Saddle Club is a not for profit organisation which is run by and for its members for the purpose of promoting equestrian sports and is approved and accredited by the British Horse Society with a reputation for excellence in dressage and showjumping.

Generally there is a long waiting list to gain a stable at BTSC so it was with great excitement that we learned the Saddle Club would take Flying Fulton initially on a two week trial to assess his suitability for retraining as an equestrian horse.

Very fortuitously, the General Manager of BTSC himself, Anthony Lowry, has taken a great shine to Ace and has taken him on as his own personal mount with intention of training him as a Showjumper.

Anthony grew up on a Stud Farm close to Dublin in Ireland,  where his father bred many winning racehorses. His family currently run a very successful equestrian centre in Ireland with over 50 horses and ponies.

Anthony has competed in many disciplines including dressage, show jumping and eventing.  He has worked and trained with Grand Prix dressage and show jump riders in Australia and is very experienced in breaking and training young horses.

We feel so incredibly lucky to know that Ace is in terrific hands to give him every possible chance to adapt to and hopefully excel in his new career.

The further good news is that Ace successfully “graduated” from his two week trial period on Wednesday last week and Anthony assures us that Ace can call the Bukit Timah Saddle Club home from now on.

He looks very relaxed and happy in his new home and Mark, Julia and the children give him a hug every time they go to the Club - which is currently four times a week for Julia and the kids (and once a week for Mark) - so we will be able to keep you well and truly updated on Ace's progress towards our dream of seeing him compete as a Grand Prix Showjumper one day.

To his wonderful group of owners - Aussie and Leslie Browne, Bill and Jim Gartshore, David and Annette Galvin, Glenn and Cathie Holmes, John and Margery Rennie, Kerry Nott, Des and Janet Hawkins, Trevor Beyer, Peter Hobill, Les and Desley Maynard, Peter and Kerrie McIntyre and our friends Benny Tam and Ronald Lau in Hong Kong - it has been such a privilege to have trained this lovely horse - thankyou so much - and we look forward to sharing with you all the news on the next chapters in Ace's life.