TBV celebrates Horses’ Birthday with Burning Front

VAS Ltd appreciates the relationship formed with TBV and Racing Victoria for the Off the Track Program. Check out what TBV are up to and celebrating the Horses' Birthday.

Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria celebrates Horses’ Birthday with Burning Front

Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV) are celebrating the Horses’ Birthday in Victoria with retired Victorian racehorse and VOBIS cult-hero, Burning Front.

With 19 wins and 21 placings under his belt from 60 starts, the chestnut gelding earnt more than $1.4 million in prizemoney. Of those winnings, $151,400 consisted of bonuses earned from the Victorian Owner and Breeder Incentive Scheme (VOBIS) program. Burning Front remains as the most successful VOBIS horse on record.

“We just could not be prouder of everything that Burning Front has achieved,” said breeder and owner Justin Lovatt, as he reflected on the racehorse’s career.

“He completely changed our lives. He had such a big will to win and not many can say they owned a horse that beat Humidor. He was my little horse with a big heart.”

Since retiring in 2018, Burning Front now calls Springmount Farm in Romsey home, a place he spelled prior to the commencement of what would become his final racing campaign.

“Springmount’s Michael and Anna Flannery are very good friends,” said Justin. “Anna always said he had a home with them when his racing career was over.”

Having settled in well to farm life, “Burnie” has this season commenced his secondary career as a weanling nanny. In a role he has taken to with ease, the sensible and relaxed gelding is currently looking after three cheeky colts, all bred locally and by Victorian stallions.

As his three young paddock mates officially become yearlings today, Burnie is celebrating his 9th birthday and will enjoy some extra treats from the farm.

To coincide with the birthday celebrations, TBV are pleased to launch their new “Where Are They Now” series – a monthly look at Victorian bred retired racehorses enjoying their careers off the racetrack.

“TBV have an ongoing commitment to equine welfare across all stages of a racehorse’s lifetime,” said TBV Executive Officer Charmein Bukovec. “We hope that our new Where Are They Now series will assist in telling the stories of our retired horses to further promote and highlight the work we do with our horses once their initial careers on the racetrack come to an end.”

“Our breeders have a vested interest in the lives of their horses and follow what they do throughout their racing career and beyond. I know that our community will also enjoy the stories of other horses they have come to know and love from their time on the track. It is great to be out here celebrating not only Burnie’s birthday but all horses on their birthdays.”

Part of this commitment also includes the Off The Track (OTT) VAS Shows, which are jointly supported by TBV and Racing Victoria. “We are partnering for our second season with Racing Victoria (RV) and the Victorian Agricultural Society (VAS) of sponsoring their local OTT class at various shows across Victoria. It is great to see Victorian breeders get behind the OTT program and the commitment to our horses.”

If you have a retired Victorian-bred horse at home or if you would like to sponsor an OTT class at your local show, please get in touch with TBV on tbv@racingvictoria.net.au.