Veteran finds a home straight after his final race at Woolamai

There are not too many stories written each year about horses rated just 13. Racing at the picnics is generally overlooked on the betting sites in favour of the bigger meetings. Just sometimes though, the stories that come out of the smaller cards are worth just as much airtime as the big winners from Flemington and Randwick.

An unremarkable career from Ambusher

Ambusher would only manage to salute once in his long racing career. From his first start at Pakenham in April 2017 until his last at Woolamai in December 2024, it was more than seven and a half years that Ambusher spent as a racehorse.

He failed to beat a rival on his debut, only beating one home on his second start. It was not until his 9th start that he finished less than a length and a half behind a race winner. It was his 12th race where he finished second for the first time in his career. That was a Wangaratta maiden, a track where he placed twice in four visits.

Yea has the distinction of being the only track that Ambusher would salute at. That was a four-runner contest in February 2022 but to Hockley after a wait of five years, it would have been like winning the Melbourne Cup!

In total, Ambusher would race at 46 different tracks during his career in races from 1000m up to 2500m on ground that ranged from a Firm 2 to a Heavy 9. Tyson Barton has the honour as the only hoop to have ridden him to victory which remarkably was the only time that Barton ever rode him!

A favourite of trainer Ron Hockley

Owned by Hockley since the start of his career, Ambusher was a firm favourite in the stable. The emotion that Hockley showed when the decision was made that retirement was the right move, especially with a ready-made home for him, was obvious to see.

We have said before that a horse does not need to be a Group 1 winning superstar to make an impression on people in the sport. The horse is well known at Seymour as the perfect lead horse for younger horses who are learning what the game is all about.

It is clear that his stall being empty is going to leave a hole for Hockley for some time to come. His time as a racehorse was up and sometimes the kindest thing you can do with something you love is to let it go.

Ambusher will be retrained for the ring

Ashlee Stuckey had seen the horse's name on the racecard ahead of attending the meeting. It resonated with her and once she saw how laid back the horse was she made her move to add the horse to her own string.

He will be retrained for the show ring in time but he will also be used for trail rides and beach days. With plenty of room for him in her paddocks, Stuckey has managed to get herself a gentleman of a horse. Sometimes all you need to do is ask the right question at the perfect time to get the answer that you are looking for.

Summary

It was great to see Ben Sporle of racing.com bring this story into the public view so that we were able to share it. To end the year on a high note is perfect when all too often it is the bad news stories that get all the column inches.