Matamata trainer Pam Gerard takes as much pride in seeing her horses thrive in their lives after racing as when they win on the track and makes every effort to ensure they get that opportunity.

“You take animals on for a lifetime, not a short time,” she said. “It is a duty of care and your responsibility to make sure a horse has the best life it can. I think there are great opportunities out there for horses to have a really good life after racing.”

Gerard said her owners share her sentiments and want to know what will happen to their horse when it retires from racing.

“I think that is just the type of owners we have,” Gerard explained. They really care about their horses, they come to the stable often and have a connection with their horse and want to see the best for them too.

“Most of our horses do a bit of dressage and schooling as part of their training and I regularly have people asking for horses from our stable because of it.

“I’m very particular and I always try to do the best by them. I certainly wouldn’t let a horse go out the gate without knowing what was going to happen to it.”

“For example, On The Rocks went to Jo Stevens in Cambridge and is doing really well. She does a bit of everything with him and he won the Best Performed Thoroughbred prize at this year's Battle of the Breeds competition.”

Xcellent, who is now 22 years-old, still holds pride of place at the stable which was well and truly earnt following his four Group One wins and two Horse of the Year titles.

His purpose is now to babysit the younger horses and he also takes part in publicity events such as this year’s Legends Day at Te Rapa.