Melbourne Cup hero Subzero
Shepparton and Hamilton school students and nursing home residents will meet revered racehorse and Melbourne Cup hero, Subzero, when the retired champion pays a special visit to the regions as part of Racing Victoria’s (RV) Community Education Program over the next week.
The popular grey, who received the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame Chairman’s Award for his services to racing earlier this year, cemented his place in Australian racing history after claiming victory in the 1992 Melbourne Cup for legendary horse trainer, Lee Freedman.
Following his retirement from racing, Subzero spent 15 years as a Clerk of the Course at race meetings across the state and has made over 300 school visits as the face of Racing Victoria’s Community Education Program.
Tomorrow, the 25-year-old gelding will visit the residents at Shepparton’s Mercy Place Aged Care facility before an appearance at the Shepparton Showgrounds as part of Racing Victoria’s participation at the Careers Day Out, Northern Victoria’s largest education, training and employment expo.
More than 150 local primary school students will then have the opportunity to meet Subzero when he makes his final appearance for the day at Shepparton East Primary School.
Subzero will head home for a few days rest before making his way to the South West of Victoria for Sundays Casterton Cup. Following an appearance at the Cup meeting, the gelding will visit students at George Street Primary School, Hamilton Special Development Primary School, Monivae College and Hamilton Primary School on Monday, 26 May.
Subzero will also make an appearance at the Eventide Lutheran Aged Care facility on Monday afternoon before his road trip wraps up with a visit to St Joseph’s Primary School and Penshurst Primary School on Tuesday morning.
The visits are part of RV’s Community Education Program which provides primary and secondary school-aged children with a unique opportunity to meet and touch a champion thoroughbred racehorse.
Subzero will be joined by RV’s Community Education and Workforce Development Coordinator, Rebecca Wilde, who will guide students and nursing home residents through an interactive history of the champion racehorse and thoroughbred racing.
“The schools program fosters appreciation for and love of horses, while educating students on a horse’s health and wellbeing," Wilde said.
“When we visit secondary students we offer greater insight into the expansive thoroughbred racing industry and the many avenues for employment which might be of interest to them.
“For some students the visit will mark the first time they have ever pat or fed a horse, let alone a Melbourne Cup winner, and the opportunity is a memorable occasion for all.”