THE HERALD SUN | 6 MARCH 20
Fiona McIntyre dedicates her days to retraining and rehoming former racehorses. But it is her work with two Bart Cummings-trained champions that sets her apart.
Under her watchful eye, four-time Melbourne Cup runner and two-time Moonee Valley Cup winner Precedence is now blossoming as a show horse.
The 14-year-old former grand stayer has competed in the past two Garryowen Equestrienne Turnouts, the pinnacle of the horse-showing world.
“He raced at the highest level and now he’s competing as a show horse at the highest level,” Ms McIntyre, a Racing Victoria acknowledged retrainer, said.
“He’s truly an amazing horse and we’ve just created this really strong bond. He’s got a quirky personality — some days he can be as quiet as a lamb, and other days he can be as cheeky as they come.”
Precedence and fellow former Cummings-trained Melbourne Cup runner Sirmione are among eight horses Ms McIntyre is retraining at her property near Geelong.
Ms McIntyre has just been crowned 2020 Lady of Racing for her more than 25 years of tireless work retraining and rehoming ex-racehorses.
The annual award, run by The Victorian Wakeful Club and Racing Victoria, celebrates women who have made an outstanding contribution to the thoroughbred racing or breeding industries.
Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson said the award recognised Ms McIntyre’s dedication to ensuring retired racehorses led happy and healthy lives off the track.
“We are very fortunate to have Fiona as one of the RV acknowledged retrainers who support our Off The Track program, which aims to facilitate the placement of retired racehorses in secondary careers and drive demand for thoroughbreds as performance and pleasure horses,” he said.
Tuesday's Horse 