Thoroughbreds to the fore at Adelaide Equestrian Festival

The 2023 Adelaide Equestrian Festival came to its completion last Sunday 23 April with a number of thoroughbreds rising to the top of the leader board.

Overall winner in the headline CCI5*L was seasoned Olympian and friend of the VRC, Shane Rose with the evergreen Virgil, ahead of Sam Lyle and BF Valour. Sophia Hill and her thoroughbred Humble Glory rounded out the placings in third place, also receiving the award for the Best Performed Thoroughbred sponsored by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC).

In the CCI4*-S, Shenae Lowings and her thoroughbred Bold Venture were the overall winners, ahead of Andrew Cooper and Sharvalley Thunder and Cathryn Herbert with Wimborne Constable.

The CCI3*L was won by Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Special ahead of Erin Callahan and Danson Lincoln, with Jess Somerfield and Finch Farm Carpentaria finishing in third place. Molly Lines and Tadpole were the deserving recipients of the Best Performed Thoroughbred prize presented by the VRC.

The VRC was proud to partner with the Adelaide Equestrian Festival for the first time this year by presenting the prize for the Best Performed Thoroughbred in the CCI5*-L and the Best Performed Thoroughbred in the CCI3*-L, continuing its support of retired racehorses at the elite levels of equestrian sport.

Each winner was presented with a $1000 cash prize, a 2023 Kennedy Oaks Day hospitality package and presentation rug by Australian Olympian and VRC Ambassador Amanda Ross.

37,000 spectators attended this year’s Adelaide Equestrian Festival, held in the centre of the city at Victoria Park, with the 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup attending on Sunday 23 April and proving popular with spectators and competitors alike.