Tour d'Horse surpasses goal, bigger event planned for 2025

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

The KIDS Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established 30 years ago, is dedicated to improving child wellbeing, safety, and injury recovery. The team works tirelessly with children to help them overcome horrific injuries and trauma caused by burns, accidents, violent crime, and abuse, supporting them in building strong lives through education, empowerment, recovery camps, and programs.

The birth of Tour d’Horse

The inception of the Tour d’Horse was born out of personal tragedy for KIDS Foundation founder and CEO, Dr Susie O'Neill OAM. In 2021, after the tragic death of her granddaughter, O'Neill and her family sought solace in horse riding. What was meant to be a brief respite from their grief turned into a life-changing experience.

“My granddaughter died in 2021 and her big sister asked her mum and myself to go horse riding to take our minds off things. We went riding for about an hour, and what we got out of that hour was life-changing. As a result, I thought if I take that back to the KIDS Foundation and introduce it into the recovery program, it could have the same effect on young people living with trauma.”

From this idea, the concept of the Tour d’Horse was formed. Traditionally, the Foundation’s main fundraising event had been a long-distance bike ride, but this time they wanted to do something unique. Thus, the Tour d’Horse was born—a 200-kilometre trek over 10 days through the picturesque New South Wales countryside, starting in Pokolbin and concluding at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Support and success

The event drew significant support from the thoroughbred industry, with sponsors like Magic Millions, the Victoria Racing Club, Godolphin and Michael Freedman Racing. The inaugural ride raised over $500,000, helping reach more than 200,000 children in recovery and education programs.

Last Friday, the KIDS Foundation held its Tour d’Horse recap and slot announcement for 2025. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with half of the 24 slots already confirmed. Returning supporters included Michael Freedman Racing and the Victoria Racing Club, while new investors showed keen interest as well. Peter Snowden, co-trainer at Snowden Racing, was deeply moved by the stories shared by participants like Sophie Johnson, Racing Manager for Michael Freedman Racing who participated in the inaugural event.

“When Sophie (Johnson) told me about her experience on this year’s ride, the stories that she told me about these kids took me to another place. It's absolutely tragic to think that people would do that to children is beyond me. It really pulled at a heart string so for me investing in a slot was a no-brainer.”

Michael Freedman, who sponsored a slot with his brother Anthony and nephew Sam last year, has secured his own slot outright for the upcoming event.

“Seeing what some of those kids have been through in their young years and how much Susie O'Neill and her crew put into it, it wasn’t a very hard decision to support it. After seeing the outcomes of the event this year, I think it's got the scope and the ability to grow into something really big and I can only see it getting bigger and better, ultimately raising more money for the foundation.”

The role of thoroughbreds

One particularly touching moment came when the event organisers sought an thoroughbred ambassador for the program. Trainer Greg Hickman offered his recently retired stable star Eleven Eleven (Fastnet Rock), who had won over $3 million and three Magic Millions Cups. The name Eleven Eleven struck a deep chord with O'Neill—11:11 was the exact time her granddaughter passed away. This poignant connection made Eleven Eleven the perfect ambassador and the 7-year-old horse is now undergoing retraining with expert horse breaker Greg Bennett in preparation for next year’s event and long-term as an equine therapy horse.

O'Neill noted, “What I found on the ride was that the retired racehorses were the gentlest, quietest horses out of all the ones that we used. Most of them were off the track, but some were just regular ponies, and they were the ones causing grief, not the thoroughbreds.”

Sophie Johnson echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of supporting retired racehorses.

“Not only is the event a wonderful opportunity to engage with and make a difference to children in need, but it is also an amazing endorsement for our thoroughbreds and their careers post-racing. There has been so much interest that next year’s event will consist solely of retired racehorses partaking in the endurance race.

“I think it’s really important that we as an industry demonstrate our support for horses after they’ve finished on the track. It’s an opportunity for us to showcase retired racehorses as the ultimate pleasure horse while raising money for the KIDS Foundation at the same time.”

Michael Freedman emphasised the importance of industry involvement: “I’d certainly encourage anyone in the industry, whether it be trainers, owners, or breeders to get involved. Supporting an organisation that makes a real difference and providing an avenue for our retired racehorses is invaluable.”

Looking ahead

The next Tour d’Horse will take place from the 11th to the 18th of May 2025, coinciding with the popular Scone Horse Festival. With 12 slots currently available at $25,000 each, industry participants are encouraged to throw their support behind the initiative. Slots can also be shared between syndicates, urging people to team up and create partnerships.

As Peter Snowden puts it, “Just do it. We all work hard but find time to have enjoyment. A holiday might cost you $10,000 or $15,000, and you have a nice holiday and a break, but these kids never get a break; they're in pain and trauma every day of their lives.”

If you are interested in securing a slot for next year’s event, please contact Susie O’Neill at susie@kidsfoundation.org.au.