20 Years of Living Legends
Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Present and Shaping the Future
Twenty years ago, we began with a simple but powerful belief: that our champions deserved more than just applause at the winning post. They deserved dignity, care, and connection long after their racing days were done.
Living Legends was born from a conversation around one extraordinary horse, Fields of Omagh, his numerous owners, and the remarkable following that surrounded him. What if retirement didn’t mean the end of a public connection? What if Australia’s racing champions could live on in a place where fans could still visit, learn, and share in their stories? What if legendary horses from around the world were added to the stable, reflecting the truly global nature of racing?
So began the vision for Living Legends: The International Home of Rest for Champion Horses.
As those early conversations gathered momentum, Dr Andrew Clarke was approached to join the founding board. Selected for his veterinary expertise and university experience, his practical knowledge, commitment to equine welfare, and governance background helped lay strong foundations for the organisation in its earliest days.
As our CEO and Veterinary Director today, Andrew reflects:
“Rather than retirement marking the end of a public connection, the idea emerged to create a place where legendary horses could enjoy a well-earned life after racing, while still remaining accessible to the people who admired and supported them.”
Fields of Omagh was our foundation horse. Although he was still racing when we first opened our gates, it was the commitment of his ownership group to have him retire to Living Legends that allowed us to confidently approach the owners of other racing greats. The first arrivals included Might And Power, Better Loosen Up, and Doriemus. Those early residents weren’t just arrivals; they were living proof that this vision could work.
Behind the scenes, the belief and generosity of a passionate ownership group and committed founding board members transformed an idea into a reality. At our heart, we are still doing what we set out to do: “Honouring racing legends from across Australia and around the world and sharing their stories,” Andrew says.
Fields of Omagh and Might and Power
Our Defining Moments
In the early years, we relied heavily on private donors and horse owners to keep the gates open. A specialist horse feed manufacturer was one of our earliest major sponsors, along with the Victoria Racing Club and Interpath, the makers of 4CYTE. Over time, support grew across the racing industry to include studs, other racing clubs such as Moonee Valley Racing Club and Melbourne Racing Club, fencing contractors, and corporate sponsors.
One of our most challenging periods came during the equine influenza outbreak shortly after we opened. Horses couldn’t travel. Visitors couldn’t attend. Income was restricted, yet care still had to continue.
Andrew recalls:
“During an already difficult financial period, the support of Sportsbet through sponsorship proved to be a crucial lifeline.”
They continue to be generous supporters to this day.
There have also been many defining milestones during our first 20 years of operation:
- The signing of our lease on 150 acres at Woodlands Historic Homestead and Park, one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most historic thoroughbred properties the perfect base for our Racing Field of Dreams.
- In 2007, the arrival of Silent Witness marked an important international moment, giving Living Legends its global footing.
- Soon after, we led the Melbourne Cup Parade down Swanston Street our first Legends on the Road outing. “Seeing the legends march down Swanston Street captured the public’s attention and demonstrated the unique connection between Australia’s racing champions and their fans,” Andrew says.
- These events significantly boosted public awareness and engagement, helping the organisation grow from a small-scale tourist attraction into a unique, internationally recognised heritage experience.
- The arrival of Efficient and Zipping, thanks to the support of Macedon Lodge Racing and the Williams family, followed by Melbourne Cup winners Almandin and Twilight Payment, Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner, and later Serpentine, winner of the time-honoured English Derby.
- We also have been lucky over the years to have very legendary visitors such as the likes of; Subzero, Northerly, Buffering, Prince of Penzance and Makybe Diva.
- The establishment of our memorial garden – a peaceful resting place for legends who have passed.
- A six-week exchange placement with Old Friends Japan, facilitated by Godolphin Lifetime Care, another generous supporter of Living Legends.
- The Copland Foundation being a major multi-year sponsor of our Historic homestead and outbuildings and its restoration
- The donation of a six-horse walker by Cherie Cork and family, and our equestrian arena by Sportsbet.
- Who Shot The Barman is becoming our first legend to compete in equestrian competition as a showjumper.
- Major bequests from Helen Gadsen and Marjorie Scriven.
A Community, Not Just a Sanctuary
Today, Living Legends is built on more than paddocks and fences. It is built on people.
Our volunteers are the backbone of everything we do. They maintain the historic homestead, care for the gardens and grounds, and give their time to ensure our horses and visitors feel welcome.
There are stories within our story:
- Annie and her legendary homestead-baked scones.
- Adele Ioannou, our Operations Manager and Retrainer, first came to us at 14 years old (over seven years ago) through the Learning with Legends program.
- Veterinary Nurse Molly Stewart began here as a placement student from La Trobe University while completing her veterinary nursing degree.
Today, they help care for the very horses who inspired them.
Each year, more than 150 veterinary nursing and veterinary medicine students gain hands-on experience with us, learning about equine welfare and geriatric care.
As Andrew explains:
“Living Legends combines horse welfare, heritage conservation, community work, and learning opportunities for all ages, and the costs reflect that unique combination.”
Changing the Narrative Around Life After Racing
Over the past 20 years, we have worked to reshape the conversation around what retirement looks like for racehorses.
“The organisation has highlighted the rewarding, active and happy lives that retired racehorses can enjoy after their racing careers,” Andrew says.
Through programs like Learning with Legends, Legends Under Saddle and Legends on the Road, we bring our horses into schools, seniors’ facilities and community events, helping people understand their stories, their care and their personalities.
As our horses age, our focus continues to evolve. Geriatric horse care is becoming increasingly important. Providing enrichment, dignity, and specialised support for older horses is not just a responsibility; it is central to our purpose.
Andrew is clear about the broader impact:
“The racing industry’s social licence depends heavily on providing active, positive lives for horses once their racing careers are over.”
We are proud to play a role in that future.
Legends on the Road
The Next 20 Years
We don’t see the present as a period of uncertainty; we see opportunity.
We are expanding curriculum-based school programs. We are strengthening partnerships with universities. We see Legends Under Saddle and Legends on the Road growing, reaching new audiences and communities.
“For Living Legends to serve as a bridge between the racing industry and the broader community,” Andrew says.
We are open 364 days a year (closing only on Christmas Day, when the horses still receive their carrot treats).
Our goal remains simple: to keep the gates open, keep the stories alive, and ensure every legend in our care lives with dignity and purpose.
Thank You
If we could say one thing to those who have supported us over the past two decades, it would be this:
“The message is simple: thank you, thank you, thank you,” Andrew says.
Donations, bequests, sponsorships, volunteer hours, and quiet acts of generosity have sustained Living Legends. Every contribution has helped care for our horses, preserve Woodlands Historic Homestead, and ensure our Racing Field of Dreams continues.
Twenty years on, Living Legends is not just a place.
It is a promise.
And with the support of individuals, organisations and corporations, we will continue to honour that legacy, leading the way for racing legends and life after racing for the next 20 years and beyond.
