Track chat with Kelsey Leahy

Kelsey Leahy first started riding track when she was 14. Now, she owns a farm where she trains horses with husband Finbarr Leahy, has multiple three-day eventing titles in her personal Wall Of Fame, and placed runner up in Fashions in the Field. It’s safe to say she’s gained something of a reputation in the industry. 

It’s an impressive list, and one that bears testament to her success - but Kelsey is undeniably a cool, calm character. It’s clear to see that Leahy is a woman who simply loves what she does, and happens to be very good at it. 

Alongside her passion for thoroughbreds and all the facets of the wider industry, Leahy is also a keen equestrian - who began riding practically before she could walk. “My parents had a rule that we weren’t allowed to spend more than $1000 on a horse, so that pretty much meant we could only buy thoroughbreds”. This didn’t stop her from competing at the highest levels of eventing, and has led to yet another passion being added to her already choker schedule, rehoming ex-racehorses. 

New Zealand, in particular, has an excellent reputation for rehoming racing thoroughbreds and making them into sports horses. In fact, there is such high demand among equine owners to get hold of one, that Kelsey’s sister Gina Shick started Event Stars to facilitate connecting horse and rider. Now, Cambridge-based Gina has a Facebook page with more than 20,000 fans who can attest. 

We sat down with Kelsey to find out how she manages to do it all… 

Tell us a little bit about your industry-journey so far. 

I’ve done a bit of everything really… I started riding track before work to make some extra money to fund my eventing, that’s how I met my husband Finbarr Leahy, who’s a jumps jockey from Ireland. My brother-in- law is Rodney Shickk who owns Windsor Park stud, where I worked for a couple of seasons, as well as doing foal watch on and off. 

I’ve done yearling prep for Windsor Park and Marra Grange?, but now I work with my husband who’s a trainer and we prep ready to runners, trial horses, buy yearlings and a bit of everything really. 

… so you have your own place now?

Yeah, we do, we’re on five acres just between Cambridge and Hamilton so nice and close to Cambridge track. 

And your sister is involved in the industry as well?

Yeah, so Gina has Event Stars which concentrates on taking thoroughbreds off the track and rehoming them. I’ve also worked for her, on and off over the years as well, helping her ride the horses and that sort of thing. 

So when did you first start riding eventers?

I’ve ridden since I was three or four, and eventing had definitely always been my passion, so I started competing as soon as I was old enough. And my parents always had a rule that they were never going to spend over $1000 on a horse, so that kind of meant thoroughbreds were really the only option haha. Because I event I’ve always gravitated towards thoroughbreds, they’re very trainable, you know, They gallop, they jump, they do dressage and they’re everything I’ve always been after and I definitely click with them more than any other breed. 

Do you always know that you wanted to be involved in the racing industry?

I think it was a little bit of a natural gravitation - and then I’ve just found my niche. I’ve made a lot of really good friends in the industry, and yeah, I actually can’t imagine ever doing anything else. Both personally, my hobby riding and my job as well. 

What’s been the highlight so far?

Probably producing thoroughbreds who have won titles at national level.

Have you had a favourite horse? 

Yeah, it would be Showcause, he was a champion stayer - and I got him off the track and have done everything with him, and have had him coming up 8 years. 

Can you tell us a little bit about your experience at Fashions in the Field?

That was a little bit of a last minute spur of the moment decision really. Me and a group of friends had a table booked, and I was like maybe it would be a bit of fun… I’ve done a few Hooves, Hats and Heels with the horses before but I’ve never done a straight Fashions in the Field. It was just a bit of a hey, let's give it a crack. Found a second hand dress, borrowed some bits and pieces, and yeah came in runner up which I was thrilled about because the girls take the competitions pretty seriously! They all looked amazing and their outfits were beautifully put together, so I was thrilled to be runner up. And a bit of fun to do something a bit different, I’ve never done something like that before. 

What’s your favourite race day on the Ellerslie calendar?

Definitely Karaka Millions, I love Karaka Millions. It’s the middle of summer, there's usually people over from Australia and it’s such a fun vibe. It’s also a really good chance to catch up with everyone before the sales kicks off. 

It also has the most people from the industry - I feel like everyones there. So it’s a chance to see people you don’t often see. It’s a fun, not too serious event. 

What was it like to lead out the Auckland Cup field?

That was one of my favourite moments. It was just fun to do something a bit different and out of your usual realm. I’m really passionate about rehoming thoroughbreds after racing so it was nice for people to see Gazza (Showcause) still performing at a high level and just encouraging people to take horses after racing. And also just so fun to gallop up the Ellerslie straight. So much fun.