Leading Canberra trainer Nick Olive is used to taming wild horses, but he's never had to break in a Brumby.
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That's exactly what Olive has signed up for after agreeing to be a part of the ACT Brumbies' World in Union luncheon auction next week, offering his services and the chance to buy a yet to be named horse
The horse, sired by French-bred Equiano, is up for auction at the event with the winner to become a part-owner and earn the majority of its prize money.
The Brumbies sourced the thoroughbred, while Olive will cover a couple months of training costs and train the horse. The horse has spent three days at Olive's stable and is already showing promising signs.
"He's very new to everything and it's his first time back in the stables," Olive said. "He's settled in well to the stables. He's a nice looking horse, he's well put together and moves along nicely when ridden.
"He hasn't done any classwork or anything, so I'm not sure what sort of ability he's got."
The horse will also be (non-financially) supported by Laurie Fisher and Brumbies winger Andy Muirhead, who will attend occasional race meetings with the winner. Olive hopes to commence the horse's racing career at Thoroughbred Park this November.
"When a horse comes in it's normally ten weeks from start to racing as a rough guide," Olive said. "He's completely fresh. It's his first time having a go and it's our first time with him too, so it's all a bit unknown at this stage."
Meanwhile, Olive's stable are coming off three wins at Thoroughbred Park and have nominated eight horses for Friday's meet.
Glenleigh Lad has run three straight seconds and is due for a win, while Acton Shale looks promising for another podium finish. "He's probably in better physical condition than last meeting," Olive said.