Two decades of champions, community and care

In 2006, the ownership group of Fields Of Omagh began considering his retirement. As one of the most beloved racehorses of his era and a two-time Cox Plate winner, he would have typically led a comfortable life after racing – perhaps rehomed as a pleasure horse, serving as a paddock companion, or retrained for a new discipline. However, his owners believed there was a better way for him to remain part of the sport he had excelled in, so he could continue bringing joy to the fans who adored him.

From that initial discussion, Living Legends was created: a sanctuary where champion racehorses could live out their retirements while remaining accessible to the people who had supported them. Dr Andrew Clarke, CEO and Veterinary Director, was involved from the beginning, using his expertise to help establish the organisation’s foundation. Word quickly spread throughout the racing community, and Fields Of Omagh was soon joined by other champions, including Might And Power, Better Loosen Up, and Doriemus.

Their home was anything but ordinary. Woodlands Historic Homestead, set on 150 acres of one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most storied thoroughbred landscapes, became what Clarke describes as a Racing Field of Dreams.

The early years

Keeping the gates open required a collective effort from the racing community. Support came from various sectors of the industry, including a specialist horse feed manufacturer, the equine supplement maker Interpath, and racing clubs such as the Victoria Racing Club (VRC), Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC), and the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC).

Additionally, a growing network of studs and corporate sponsors provided essential backing. When equine influenza struck shortly after the opening, causing income to vanish almost overnight, Sportsbet stepped in as a vital lifeline and has remained a generous supporter ever since.

The roll call

Now, for twenty years, the paddocks at Living Legends have welcomed remarkable residents. Melbourne Cup winners such as Brew, Efficient, Almandin, and Twilight Payment have all made this place their home, along with Prince Of Penzance, who is a regular visitor. In 2007, Silent Witness arrived from Hong Kong, expanding Living Legends’ international connections.

Other notable residents include Apache Cat, Santa Ana Lane, English Derby winner Serpentine, Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner, Australia’s winningest thoroughbred Fab’s Cowboy, along with Hong Kong Jockey Club legends including Beauty Generation, Bullish Luck and Good Ba Ba. Beloved champions Buffering, Subzero, Makybe Diva, and Northerly were visitors along with Who Shot Thebarman, who became the first Living Legend to compete in equestrian sport as a showjumper, demonstrating that life after racing can still bring new adventures.

For those whose stories have come to an end, there is a memorial garden on the property, offering a peaceful resting place for the legends who have passed away.

A partnership built to last

Since its inception, the VRC has partnered with Living Legends, a collaboration that continues to thrive. Outside of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, two Living Legends horses make appearances in the Mounting Yard at nearly every Flemington meeting. This allows racegoers to get up close and personal with former champions, providing a unique experience unlike any other on race day.

“The VRC has been by our side since our earliest days,” Clarke says. “Their unwavering support has been a significant factor in making Living Legends what it is today.”

The VRC’s Equine Wellbeing Fund, established in 2019, offers ongoing financial assistance, embodying the belief that the love of horses should extend well beyond their racing days.

A community, not just a sanctuary

Living Legends is not just a home for some of the greatest racehorses of all time; it is also a community that begins at the gate.

Every day (they are open 364 days a year, only closing for Christmas), people come to Woodlands to get up close with the horses they once watched from the grandstand or cheered on from their couches. They are people who simply want to pay their respects to these gentle giants, who once seemed untouchable on the racetrack and are now happy to accept a pat and a carrot. For most visitors, it is an unforgettable experience.

Incredible volunteers maintain the homestead and gardens, with support from dedicated long-term staff. Adele Ioannou first entered the gates at fourteen as part of the Learning with Legends program and is now the Operations Manager. Veterinary nurse Molly Stewart began as a placement student and today cares for the very horses that first inspired her. Then there’s Annie, whose homestead scones have become something of an institution.

Beyond the property, the horses travel through the Legends on the Road program, visiting schools, senior facilities, and community events across Victoria. This initiative brings the magic of these champions to people who might never have the chance to meet them.

Programs like Legends Under Saddle and Learning with Legends extend that outreach even further. Each year, more than 150 veterinary nursing and medicine students gain hands-on experience at Living Legends, learning about equine welfare and geriatric care. As the horses age, the focus shifts, and providing enrichment, dignity, and specialised support for older horses is central to everything Living Legends does.

As Clarke puts it, “Living Legends combines horse welfare, heritage conservation, community work, and learning opportunities for all ages.”

The future

Looking ahead, Living Legends is expanding its curriculum-based school programs, strengthening university partnerships, and growing its community programs to reach new audiences. Clarke is clear about why it all matters.

“The racing industry’s social licence depends heavily on providing active, positive lives for horses once their racing careers are over.”

And of course, they will continue to open the gates, granting access to those wonderful equine stars who continue to bring people such joy.

Twenty years on, Living Legends is not just a place. It is a promise kept.

Living Legends is a not-for-profit organisation. Visit livinglegends.org.au