Fiona McIntyre wins Lady Of Racing Award

Fiona McIntyre’s work in re-training and re-homing retired racehorses, including two of the late Bart Cummings’ former stars, has been recognised with the Lady Of Racing Award.

The annual award announced on Friday in Melbourne is run by The Victorian Wakeful Club in partnership with Racing Victoria.

McIntyre retains several ex-racehorses and the horses in her care include the former Cummings-trained pair Precedence, who is forging an equestrian career, and two-time Group One winner Sirmione.

“Retired racehorses need a good home, and with Fiona they have that in spades,” Cummings’ former foreman Reg Fleming said.

“She’s a hard worker, she loves the show ring, and she does incredibly well to fit it all in.”

The other finalists for this year’s award, which recognises women who have made an outstanding contribution to the thoroughbred and breeding industries, were Jenny Moodie, Lisa Coffey and Sally Wynne.

“There were four exceptional finalists this year from all facets of the industry, making it a very difficult selection process and I congratulate Fiona as the eventual – and very worthy – winner,” RV chief executive Giles Thompson said.

“Fiona has long been an advocate for life-after-racing, and has worked tirelessly to ensure former racehorses lead happy and healthy lives once they have left the track.

“We are very fortunate to have Fiona as one of the RV Acknowledged Re-trainers who support our Off The Track program, which aims to facilitate the placement of retired racehorses in secondary careers and drive demand for thoroughbreds as performance and pleasure horses.”