LLowalong stallion parade set for “raging” success

The timing could not have been more perfect when the first foal by stunning new harness racing sire Raging Bull hit the ground at Llowalong Farms earlier this week – on the eve of the Victorian stud’s annual stallion parade on Sunday (Sep. 10).

“He’s a beautiful colt and we’re very excited for the big reveal on Sunday and to show him off,” said principal Dr Kath McIntosh.

“The vibe is amazing – the RSVPs closed a week ago and at this stage we’re expecting around 200 people to be here, which is a sensational response,” she said.

The newborn son of Raging Bull was bred by prominent Victorian owners Eric and Heather Anderson and is a half-brother to the well-performed Ozzie Playboy (Pet Rock), (11 wins, $189,000).

Llowalong Farms and Northern Rivers Veterinary Clinic, at Kyabram in northeast Victoria, has a record 10 sires on its 2023 stallion roster, and McIntosh said the best way to showcase the siring prospects was in the stallion parade format.

“Each one has their own personality, and everyone gets a chance to see them at their best,” she said.

“The weather is looking perfect – no rain and maybe a little fresh, so people should bring a jacket because this is an outdoor event.”

On parade on Sunday will be:

• Raging Bull (Christian Cullen)
• American Ideal (Western Ideal)
• King of the North (Walner)
• Lather Up (Im Gorgeous)
• Pastor Stephen (Cantab Hall)
• Poster Boy (Somebeachsomewhere)
• Mel Mara (Lis Mara)
• Soho Tribeca (American Ideal)
• Yankee Rockstar (Rocknroll Hanover)

Victoria’s premier harness racing caller Dan Mielicki is MC for the day, alongside Mark Hughes from Woodlands Stud and Grant Campbell from Llowalong Farms, with wine, beer and catering on offer for patrons.

There are lucky door prizes from sponsors and information displays by BetaVet and Barastoc for patrons to get advice from the experts on feed and supplement regimes.

“To organize something of this scale takes a whole team of people and that’s what’s been happening now for the weeks in the leadup to Sunday,” McIntosh said.

“Everything from catering, bringing in sponsorships, doing all the admin work, advertising and importantly, prepping the sires,” she said.

“The team has also been prepping the yearlings that will be on display because we will have a sneak peek of some yearlings that are going through the Nutrien Equine Sales in Melbourne next year, as well as yearlings sired by our stallions.”

Sunday’s event brings into full focus McIntosh’s drive and passion to help grow harness racing in Australia, but she likely has to pinch herself as to how she arrived at this point.

McIntosh started Northern Rivers Equine 14 years ago as a young vet working from her car. The clinic now employs three full time vets and the stud side of the business she launched in 2017, Llowalong Farms, is now a world-class facility.

“The origin of the name Llowalong Farms goes to the core of who I am.  Being a vet isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am – and none of this would have been possible without the support of my grandfather Jack Adams, a World War two veteran and farmer who was involved with racehorses.

“Llowalong was the name of one of his farms in Gippsland where I spent a lot of time growing up. Without him and the support of my parents I never would have been able to study veterinary science at the University of Sydney and would not have had the opportunity to be the veterinarian I always dreamed of being.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink