The dressage lesson, one of the three half-hour or so sessions he undertakes each week, has gone well. His rider leans across his neck and gives him an affectionate scratch as she praises him. “Good boy, lovely boy.”
He stands regally as he recovers from his work. There is an undoubtable presence to this horse, an aura that stems not only from his eye-catching looks and extreme power but also from his supreme intelligence.
This is a horse who knows what is being asked of him, who learns quickly, who adapts to a regime that is in every way the polar opposite of what he was bred to do, what generations of his ancestors instilled into every fibre of his being.
The signs he must pick up on are subtle, almost invisible to onlookers. A gentle squeeze from the lower leg here, a slight twinge on the reins there. The horse and his rider must be one.
And both must be committed. Even when the temptation to do something totally different is so strong.
“Do you know how hard it is,” Casey Bruce asked, “to sit on this horse and ask him to take things slowly? It is like being handed the keys to a Ferrari and being told to stick to 40km an hour.”
Casey is patient; slow and steady on a horse who, at the peak of his powers, could cover 200 metres in just a tick over ten seconds.
Except of course, when he chose not to.
The unique, frustrating, admirable, difficult, brilliant horse that is Chautauqua.
When the champion sprinter fondly known as Sharky took his stellar local form (at that time four G1 victories at Flemington, Randwick and Moonee Valley) onto the international stage at Sha Tin - contesting the 2016 Chairman’s Sprint Prize - he recorded a win so remarkable, so breathtaking that all subsequent fast-finishing victories are compared to it (see video below).
In a sign of things to come, the big grey was noticeably slowly away and, from the get-go, was chasing. Fellow Australian Buffering helped set up a frantic pace, Chautauqua spotting the leaders a dozen lengths.
Heading for home, Chautauqua was pushed wide, so much so that at the 380m mark he disappeared. It was not until there was 190m to go that a grey nose appeared at the edge of the screen, though in the meantime race caller Brett Davis was keeping a close eye on him.
“And now Berry unleashes Chautauqua to the middle part of the track.”
There were other horses of course, well credentialed rivals from around the world. But Australians were watching only one horse, hearing only one name ...
“Chautauqua is winding up.”
“Chautauqua’s still coming.”
“Chautauqua, here he comes, the thunder down under!”
“Chautauqua raced to the lead. What a champion!”
An average of 10.98 seconds for each 200m split. Low-flying.
Jockey Tommy Berry described him as “a very special horse”, but the best quote of the day came from Brett Prebble, who rode the runner-up, Lucky Bubbles ... “Who brought that rocket here? I gave my horse a peach of a ride and he went terrific, but one just sailed past us!”
And it was not a one-off, fluke performance. Each of Chautauqua’s wins were barnstormers, none more so than his historic third consecutive G1 TJ Smith Stakes victory at Randwick in April 2017 (featured on TRC just ten days ago as one of seven great performances around the world to mark this website’s seventh birthday).
Again at the rear, again chasing, again in a seemingly impossible position ... 200m to go and only three behind him. Another broadcaster with awe in his voice as he called, this time Darren Flindell ...
“Chautauqua very late.”
“Can he do it?”
“Chautauqua, he’s flying ... yes, there’s history!”
“Tell me that is not one of the greatest moments here at Randwick.”
It was to be the crowning moment of a magnificent racing career, one that came to an end on Chautauqua's terms. He kept working well, kept pleasing connections and riders, but ...
After a late scratching at the gates in the 2017 G1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley, Chautauqua decided that racing was no longer for him. He would behave gentlemanly, he’d walk into the barriers freely and easily. But when the gates opened, he just didn’t want to go.
The image of Chautauqua standing in the stalls in numerous trials (including one at Moonee Valley on Moir Stakes night when it was thought he could be fooled into thinking it was a race) is one that sticks in the memory of racegoers everywhere.
The racehorse who said no.
We will never really know why Chautauqua decided to retire himself. Horses are creatures of flight, which is why racing works. For one to stand so still, to display no flamboyant emotion as all of those around him charge ... this was a horse overcoming all instincts. He was ignoring the innate, overriding it with calm thought, a rational intelligence.
It is an understanding that places Chautauqua in good stead for his second career. Though the re-training process is by no means a simple one. This is a big, strong Thoroughbred who was trained from day one to convert his power into speed. Now he is learning to live life in a much slower lane.
A picturesque farm 60km outside Melbourne has been Chautauqua's home for the last six months. Before that he lived with the renowned and popular racing commentator and dedicated horseman Rob Gaylard, the horse a passion project for him and daughter Casey Bruce.
When Rob passed away in July last year, a void was created. “There is one less member in Chautauqua’s team,” she said sadly, though of course Rob meant so much more to her.
But with Chautauqua such a big part of Casey’s life, Rob is always by her side. A bond strengthened by horses, especially this one, is difficult to sever.
Rob was Chautauqua and Casey’s trainer, that role now undertaken by the highly respected coach Leigh Dunstan, who Casey fondly describes as “the instructor with the most!”
Involved with horses throughout his life - attending his first Royal Melbourne Show in 1966 - Leigh has instructed at pony clubs for decades. He has seen many a talented young rider take the next step into an equestrian life, such as successful jockey Patrick Moloney, whom he described as “a gifted show rider”.
“Most of the good dressage and show riders start in pony club,” he said.
Such as an 8-year-old Casey Bruce, who also went onto a professional riding career, winning 219 races in Victoria and Tasmania. Her first ride was in April 1999 on Earlwood Manor for her master, Peter Corrigan, her first winner coming at her ninth ride - and another three from her next 17.
Her final ride came at Seymour in September 2015, a win aboard the Bryan Maher-trained Runsati. “I was riding in peak form, but had to retire as I was 12 weeks pregnant.”
She misses the rush of it all, but another passion fulfills her thrill-seeking desires. She is a proud owner of a treasure passed down through the family - a de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk, an impressive 1952 version of the Canadian-designed aircraft. How fortunate it is that the man she met and fell for just happens to be a pilot.
And it was flying over the Romsey/Kerrie area north of Melbourne one day that Casey spied a very attractive property. She made enquiries, discovering that the owner, Hannah Martin, was a good friend of one of Chautauqua’s track riders; it seemed it was meant to be.
Now Chautauqua’s home base, it is a busy working stud farm. There was plenty happening on the day of our visit; a whipper snipper (known as a ‘strimmer’ or ‘line trimmer’ in some other countries) expelling its intrusive noise, a child running about - making usual youngster sounds. Other horses whinnied and two strangers - one with a notepad and one with a camera - were watching his every move.
None of this bothered Chautauqua much, though at one stage he'd had enough of the whipper snipper, briefly letting his displeasure show. But it doesn't take much for Casey to pick up on his thoughts and it was off with the machinery.
“Whoa buddy,” Casey whispered, and Chautauqua was again content.
There is plenty happening in Chautauqua’s life at this stage. He is being prepared for his first quiet look at a show, this one unannounced so that he can have a relaxed introduction to this new world.
He isn’t too keen on floats - there have been challenges getting him aboard. He’d just had a week off after an incident saw him take skin off the top of his head; the result of an argument with one truck that he did not take to.
“He actually went bonkers,” Casey said. “He had a proper spac attack!”
Soothing words
There is no doubt, she added, that Chautauqua suffers from a degree of claustrophobia, not an uncommon trait in an animal evolved to freely roam.
Talks are underway with an English float company regarding the use of a side loader, Casey confident it will prove more to his liking.
Ear plugs are being introduced to Chautauqua. They help to filter the outside world. They are like little soft golf balls. They go in quite easily, though removing them after his lesson proved more challenging, Casey using a stool to get closer to the big boy’s head. Calm patting and soothing words ... “are you my best friend?” Casey cooed ... and out they came.
And then it was time for the brushing, something Chautauqua tolerates rather than enjoys. But he knows the attention being bestowed upon him comes from a good place ... “I can’t just put you out in the paddock without paying any attention to you,” Casey whispers to him.
He rewards her with a display of affection. He “has a thing for hair” and gently nuzzles Casey’s head. For a few minutes, this writer enjoys a career highlight as Chautauqua deigns to share some of his love ... he placed his head on my shoulder and blew gently into my ear. Could it be that this arrogant performer is actually a big softie at heart?
Chautauqua had just enjoyed a two-part lesson, firstly inside a massive indoor arena with dust swirling around his feet and then outside in a smaller yard. It takes a keen eye to notice just how hard Casey and he are working as both take it so much in stride.
Centre of attention
Leigh gives gentle instruction, insightful and encouraging. His pride in rider and horse is apparent; this is a man who loves his job. Well, it is more of a calling than a job.
“I have worked with some lovely horses over the years,” he said, “but none quite like this fellow. Like all horses, he likes a routine, but he is a very sensitive horse, highly intelligent and determined. If he doesn’t like something, he cannot be forced to do it.”
But Chautauqua is a horse who can learn, and when he does pick up on something new - “he does it well”.
Eventually! It took a little while for Chautauqua to really “make up his mind as to whether he liked dressage or not,” Leigh laughed, “but he seems to be enjoying his life now.”
Which is not really surprising. Dressage horses are, after all, inclined to be show-offs, and Chautauqua is used to being in the public eye, to being the centre of attention.
And he has that aura.”I have always felt I have been in the presence of royalty,” Leigh said while Casey noted, “He is a peacock, a supreme athlete and he knows it.”
‘He loves his work’
How would Chautauqua have fared with quiet retirement in a paddock? “That would be cruel for a horse like him,” Leigh said. “He enjoys people’s company and he likes to learn. It is just a matter of not making too big of an issue of anything.”
The paddock he does spend his downtime in is a good size, though not massive, everyone mindful that a long stretch of grassy land may prove just too tempting for him. “He might just take off,” Casey said, noting, “When he gets up speed, it is a terrifying sight.”
Fortunately, however, Chautauqua is for the most part quiet, content with his lot. “He loves his work,” Casey said. “You can see that his ears are pricked for most of the time.”
Back into his yard, Chautauqua settled quickly. He is a renowned fussy eater but is content to nibble on grass, noticeably unperturbed by a persistent willy wagtail who was determined to become his friend, fluttering about his head.
He does enjoy the company of other animals, though - well some! He recently spied a neighbour’s goat and was unimpressed. But a delightful little black pony, a rescue by the name of Bo-Bo is a treasured companion. “They are best mates,” Casey said.
“There was one day when something here spooked him and he decided he really didn’t like this place after all. But Bo-Bo calmed him right down.”
Sharing the stress
There have been times when Chautauqua has been aloof. He certainly was for some time after first coming into Casey’s life. She had to work hard over months to gain his trust, his affection.
But deep down there is love in his heart and he made room in it for Casey. You can see it in their every movement together - she asks questions of him, he answers ... and the other way around. When he is annoyed or upset, it is she from whom he seeks comfort.
There is some pressure on Casey and Leigh, Chautauqua being as popular as he is. But the horse comes first, they - and he - won't be rushed. Any stress felt is shared. “Leigh is a good punching-bag,” Casey joked.
She has had to be exceptionally patient, Chautauqua not unlike a gifted student. There are flaws that come with genius. “He will be the death of me,” said Casey, quick to add, “But I do so love this guy!”
Fortunately time is not an enemy. “He is still very much in his prime,” Leigh said, confident that Chautauqua can enjoy a few years in the dressage spotlight. And he is excited about the grey’s prospects. “He is going to make a lovely show horse.”
‘The people’s horse’
Chautauqua remains in the ownership of his racing connections, who, led by Rupert Legh, still play an active role in Chautauqua’s life and well-being, though this is not a horse who can really be ‘owned’ by anyone.
He is, says Casey, very much ‘the people’s horse’. “And we are all very comfortable with that. He is a horse to be shared.”
The Garryowen, the Royal Melbourne Show's famed annual prestige event, is the dream Casey has for Chautauqua, another historic contest - the Colonel AV Pope Cup - also an ambition. Just to be competing, Casey said, would be a lifetime highlight.
“Winning or finishing last, it won’t matter,” she said. “Just to be there, that will be such an achievement for this horse.”
A horse, she says who “knows he is special”.
And we all know it too.
Chautauqua competed at his first show on Sunday (January 31), taking part in two competitions. In the first he finished fourth and in the second, a ‘fashions on the field’ event, he was second. Casey was delighted with how the popular grey (who attracted more attention than the winners) handled his first big day out in his new career.