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Illawarra Turf Club is proud to be sponsoring two riders and their off-the-track Thoroughbreds for the 2024 Equimillion Competition.

They were chosen from more than 40 talented applicants, most with a connection to Kembla Grange Racecourse.

Horsley-based equestrian, Emma Burns, will compete in the Amateur EVA 60 eventing class on former Gwenda Markwell-trained mare, Water Dancer.

Emma Burns - is delighted with her former Gwenda Markwell-trained mare Water Dancer

The now seven-year-old by All Too Hard from Jalsah was not cut out for the racetrack and sixth place was her best result in five starts. However, Emma says she has done everything right since.

“She’s such a smart mare and also very brave,” Emma said.

“There hasn’t been a single thing I have presented to her that she hasn’t be able to conquer.

"She has an ‘I’ll give it my best shot’ attitude.”

Emma worked for Gwenda Markwell at her Kembla Grange stables for almost five years prior to the premiership-winning trainer’s passing in October 2022.

She now rides casual trackwork for Ross McConville and it is this connection that led her to Water Dancer.

“I had been thinking that if an opportunity presented itself, I wouldn’t mind taking home an off the track Thoroughbred,” Emma said.

“One morning Water Dancer came up in conversation with assistant trainer Nigil Monahan.

"He spoke to her owner for me, and he agreed to let me take her and produce her as a ridden horse again.

"It’s special to be heading to Equimillion on a horse Gwenda trained because she taught me how to ride trackwork and she just loved hearing and sharing stories about what her former racehorses were up to in their new lives.”

Merran Wallis’s mount, former Melissa Harrison-trained mare, Whobedivine, was similarly unsuccessful on the racetrack. The Pride Of Dubai x Temple Divine mare raced once, finished 18 lengths last, and was promptly retired without a cent of prizemoney to her name.

“She may not have been a star on the track, but she has taken to eventing like a duck to water,” Merran said. “Her greatest attribute is her temperament. She’s also very trainable with big movement and a scopey jump.”

Merran, who has been eventer for 40 years and competed up to 5*, purchased Whobedivine as a safe eventing horse for her husband and is taking her to Equimillion as part of her retraining.

They have been to Sydney and Canberra Horse Trials recently where they recorded clear cross-country rounds. Merran is an Equestrian Australia eventing specialist coach so will contest the Open EVA 80 class at Equimillion.

“Whobedivine is improving all the time and will be competitive at Equimillion,” Merran said. “I’m also taking my other off-the-track horse, Favours The Brave, who was previously trained at Goulburn.”

Illawarra Turf Club's CEO, Steven Keene, says the initiative is a great way to strengthen the connection between the racing and equestrian industries.

“There has been a lot of interest in Equimillion, particularly from previous owners of horses who are competing,” he said. “Owners get a buzz out of seeing their retired racehorse thriving in a new career and Equimillion provides a platform to celebrate the best of that.

“We were impressed with all the sponsorship applicants and are delighted we have been able to assist two riders with their nomination fees. I wish Emma and Merran all the best and look forward to cheering them on at Equimillion.”

There will also be several others connected to Kembla Grange Racecourse competing over the weekend, including Jockey Winona Costin who will partner former Anthony Mountney-trained gelding Taumalolo and Emma Campbell will pilot former Mitch Beer-trained gelding, Swagger.

Equimillion, which is now in its second year, will be held at Sydney International Equestrian Centre over the October Long Weekend from Friday 4th to Monday, 7th October 2024.