Cottman Racing

15/01/2024

Smart palonies know how to stay cool.....🔥😎

27/12/2023

One happy racehorse 🌶❤🐎

02/10/2023

We've waited a while.......but so worth it....love you Chilli ❤️❤️
Rock This Country gets the choccies at Northam....first win in Mum's colours.....I know she was cheering him on from above 🥰
Couldn't have done it without the "A" team......thank you all xx

15/08/2023

Our other new edition....pretty flash boy 🌟

15/08/2023

The new kids on the team....getting the best education from Harrison's Horse Handling.

12/07/2022

Water therapy....Rock This Country 🐎❤

19/03/2021

After a break away I'm so please to say we're back....and couldn't be happier with the enormous effort Rock This Country put in for his first race in 19 months.......time and patience does wonders for us all ❤🐎❤

Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) - Thoroughbred, Harness and Greyhound racing

25/12/2019

❤❤❤

After making the little girl, God said:

“You’ll need something to lean on. Something with substance that will teach you the value of hard work, perseverance, and to never give up. A thing that won’t cast judgment when you mess up in life. Because you will often, it’s just part of growing up and becoming a decent human."

"You’ll need something whose impressive physical presence must be respected at all times. A being who could break your bones in a whisper but will never break your heart. A creature who will be there for you when you cry for hours after someone you love lets you down. An unspeaking breathing being that will teach you to check all the noise in your head and completely listen to what he is saying."

“Sometimes in life you need to let go and just hang on. I call this trust. The terrifying ability to follow something blindly out of the conviction of only your heart. It will keep you centered and restore your faith when life happens. When you realize that you are forgettable to the world you won’t be to this creature."

"Something that will keep you truly humbled yet teach you how to fly!"

“You need to understand the painful reality of death. Sometimes it’s ok to let go. That kindness will always be rewarded before the use of force. And that courage means trusting him to get you safely to the other side."

“Something to get you out of bed in the trying times. When you feel like you have nothing he will remind you that you are still wanted. Something to give you perspective about what’s really important in life."

“You’ll need a best friend. Do not take this relationship lightly. It just might save your life someday when you see no out. Treasure it always I’m trusting it to you to take care of for a reason."

“A creature who will restore your faith about all of the goodness in the world even when you are so broken down that you cast Me aside."

“In turn with time and healing he will bring you back to Me. Know that your struggle won’t be made alone, and don’t forget to enjoy the ride."

"So I will make a horse.”

18/08/2019

I have contemplated writing this post for a while now...asking myself what is my motive, what do I want to achieve.....and I think it's because many only get to see one small part of the racing industry...the winners. Most of the winners are more often the 'professional trainers' and syndicates or big owners....many of who never get to know their horses on an emotional level...in fact after the race often no emotion is shown...it's just another day at the office....for the 8 or 9 winners every meeting there are another 90++ smaller trainers and owners who are just grateful their horse got around safe and they live in hope to maybe finish closer next time.

I got into training when my Dad died...I wanted to give my Mum something to be able to look forward to, to get some enjoyment from and as a way of bringing the family together. Sadly now I'm feeling this was never meant to be...the fork in the road is infront of me and I'm not sure if I can continue down this path any longer. For those of you who don't know I have tragically lost two horses in a month. The first was a beautiful horse who came into my stable skin and bones...in terrible shape and completely shut down. Long story short the owner owed me money and agreed to sign him over to me....I loved this horse and when I found the reason why he couldn't run was because of chips in his fetlocks, I went ahead with surgery.....anything that would give him a chance...even if it was just to be my riding horse. Sadly 3 months later and the joints never recovered....the kindest yet most heartbreaking thing to do was say goodbye........😭💔

Then a month later my dear Mum's horse, her pride an joy, a horse who she'd been so looking forward to seeing race, had a freak accident in the paddock......he could not be saved. 😭💔 This has broken my poor 90+ Mum's heart and mine........I still cry every night....and every time I walk into my stable and see his empty box........

So if you're still reading..thankyou....the reason why I wanted to share all of this is not for sympathy or pity but because the public only usually sees one side of racing......they don't see the love we have for our horses....the sacrifices we make......the tears we shed.......the heartache we feel........all because we care so much for these magnificent beings. The public don't see the retired horses we pay for to live their lives out in the paddock because their owners don't want them and they can't be rehomed...... It's not all about the money or winning to some of us.........there is another side to racing ...those who truly love their horses 🐎