Marlène Battedou and Le Grand d'Amour competing at Melbourne International Three-Day Event in June. Image by Click Capture.
Marlène Battedou thinks Thoroughbreds are “the whole package” when it comes to eventing. “There are Thoroughbreds who are wonderful at one of the disciplines, and then there are the really special ones who excel at ALL three. Those are eventers,” enthuses Marlène. She says the Melbourne International Three-Day Event (MI3DE) Thoroughbreds-only CCN1*-L class is the “beginning of showcasing this”.
Marlène and Le Grand d’Amour won the Off The Track CCN1*-L class at MI3DE this year. Image by Click Capture.
Twenty-six off the track Thoroughbreds (OTTs) contested the second edition of this class at MI3DE in June, showing the depth and variety of the breed and their unique qualities, but most importantly what they all have in common: they love to event. Marlène says that CCN1* is the perfect level to show their potential and where they can go in the future. “It shows the quality of the horses,” she explains.
Marlène and her Le Grand d’Amour held the number one spot at the conclusion of the competition at MI3DE, and it’s fair to say that Marlène may also be the number one fan of the Thoroughbred, an appreciation and passion that started 16 years ago when she left her home of France for Australia.
AN INTRODUCTION TO THOROUGHBREDS
Marlène’s first job here was also her introduction to Thoroughbreds, diving straight into the industry at the stables of Racing Royalty in Sydney, riding trackwork for Gai Waterhouse.
From the moment she entered the world of Thoroughbreds, she loved it. “It was pretty amazing to be able to work with horses, with the Thoroughbreds, it’s a bit of everything. That work made me feel and understand the training and creating of athletes. The development of a Thoroughbred blew my mind.”
Marlène developed an appreciation for Thoroughbreds that evolved beyond just their training, familiarising herself with their breeding, lineage, and history. “I wanted to know everything possible. I would love knowing the horses, recognising their brands and their breeding as well as their names. I knew when I rode them what ones would make great eventers, even if they weren’t great racehorses.”
Marlène and Le Grand d’Amour in the dressage arena at MI3DE. Image by Tazzie Eggins Photography.
This affinity for both the Thoroughbred and the sport of eventing had a natural progression to the stables of Tim Boland at Limitless Lodge, who as well as being a top-level eventer also had a string of over 70 racehorses in pre-training, breaking in and spelling. Marlène worked for Tim for two years as both a rider and groom, witnessing first-hand the capability of Thoroughbreds to compete at the elite levels, further cementing her admiration for OTTs and confirming her breed of choice.
Marlène has continued both her professions and passions within the Thoroughbred industry over the years, which has also provided opportunities to scope out potential eventers as they made their way from training to the track. She’s done it successfully too, with previous mount Terrific d’Amour, whom she took from off the track all the way to CCI2*, competing at MI3DE in 2018 – something she had long aimed for.
“Melbourne has always been such a special, historical event. Only the best of the best get there. The event itself is a whole week, so it’s a big trip and journey, it’s a lot, but it’s well worth it!” says Marlène.
When she first acquired the now nine-year-old, Le Grand d’Amour from a local trainer a few years ago, she knew he had Melbourne in his future but says she didn’t want to rush him to get to CCI2*. “When I saw they had a CCN1* and only for OTTs, I knew we could do it! He’s such a big horse but he moves so beautifully and is so, so brave. He’s in the zone out there, he knows his job and loves it”.
A fantastic season in the lead up confirmed for Marlène just how well the not-so-small (17.2hh) ‘Tiny’ had transitioned into his life after racing. “He placed all season but never quite made that top spot,” she explains. As it turns out, he was paying homage to his racing name and ‘Resolving to Win’ at something extra special.
Despite going “just for the experience”, Marlène and Tiny led from start to finish in the CCN1*-L at Melbourne, adding only one showjumping rail to their final score. “It was such a privilege. I will cherish that forever; it was a really special win.”
Le Grand d’Amour has plenty of talent and Marlène is excited for the future. Image by Click Capture.
SUPPORT FROM RACING VICTORIA OFF THE TRACK
The win is now a treasured memory, and for Marlène, so too was the experience with Racing Victoria and their OTT program in the lead up to and during MI3DE. “I went to the tent a few times, they talk to you and mentally support you… they are so interested and ask how they can help, and that means a lot. Support like that makes you want to keep going.”
“It’s amazing how much [Racing Victoria] have put into supporting these horses’ after-racing life. The programs, the systems, the people. Someone there to hold your hand, in a way. We don’t have programs like these nation-wide, but we really need to.”
The first two iterations of the Racing Victoria OTT CCN1*-L at MI3DE have cemented the class’s popularity amongst eventers and Thoroughbred enthusiasts alike. With the continued support of Racing Victoria, Marlène hopes that the “athleticism, bravery and brain” of Thoroughbreds will continue to shine and be looked upon as an obvious choice for an exceptional performance horse.
“They are smart, elegant… the most athletic breed you can find. They are really brave, and such a versatile breed,” says Marlène. And if that description isn’t persuasion enough to consider an OTT, then surely the support from Racing Victoria to riders and owners alike is an added incentive.
For now, both Marlène and Tiny are taking a well-deserved break back home in Berry, NSW and planning their future aspirations, including a step up to CCI2* next season and dreams of CCI3* one day. They look forward to the continued support and opportunities that the Racing Victoria program offers for their Victorian endeavours, and hope that its success may also lead the way for similar resources and systems in other Australian states, across all the disciplines.
Organisations and initiatives like the Racing Victoria Off The Track program facilitate Thoroughbreds finding the right career, person and home for their life after racing, and as Marlène says, “If you put a Thoroughbred in a happy place, they are unstoppable!” EQ
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