Bella Anderson on: pony racing, thoroughbred industry careers and more!

We chatted with Bella Anderson about her current role, her passion for pony racing and how important Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC) has been in her career so far.

Tell us about your current job in the thoroughbred racing industry

I work for Racing.com as a Mounting Yard Analyst.

In the mounting yard, I provide comments and assessments on how specific horses are parading in relation to their behaviour, fitness, and overall health, with the aim of helping punters decide which horse to bet on.

I believe judging a horse on how it looks is an artform. You must love and understand the horse before you can form an opinion, and to say I love horses is an understatement. The beauty and magnificence of a thoroughbred continues to astonish and delight me every time I walk into a mounting yard.

I have been looking at horses my entire life and like any form student, I’m not always right, but my passion will help in the long term.

Horses, like most things, have good and bad days. My job is to find the horse having the best day.

How much are you looking forward to watching the kids race ponies at Murray Bridge on Saturday?

I AM BEYOND EXCITED!!

I simply could not wipe the smile off my face after watching the inaugural pony race in Brisbane and the subsequent one in Sydney.

It was just so entertaining and the satisfaction it gave me to see those kids so happy and proud as well was incredible.

It was also quite hilarious at the same time, watching some of the ponies run, particularly Harry Murphy on his pony Ernie - I hadn’t laughed so hard in a long time.

Why are you so passionate about pony racing?

I’m passionate about pony racing because it not only brings positive attention to our industry, but it is also provides a way for young people to learn more about horse racing whilst also opening their eyes to potential industry opportunities that exist.

Ultimately, pony racing provides an invaluable experience of our sport to younger generations.

Additionally, these kids are meeting their racing idols, and the touching scenes of inaugural pony race winner Antonia Salmoni meeting Chris Waller bought a tear to my eye as you could feel how much it meant to her.

Could pony racing help launch a career in the industry?

Absolutely!

Perhaps if I had the opportunity to do pony racing, I would be 20kgs lighter and a jockey!!

But aside from riding, the kids also interact with trainers, people in the media, clerks of the course, strappers/grooms, and everyone else working around them on the tracks.

This event just opens their eyes and shows them opportunities. Once they discover their passion, alongside their already established passion for horses, a career in racing is a match made in heaven.

The initiator of this event Lindy Maurice is doing brilliant things to broaden young people’s understanding of careers in racing. Her passion, alongside all those working at and supporting Thoroughbred Industry Careers, is introducing a new generation to our industry. I was fortunate enough to be selected for the 2021 Explorer Cadetship Program, run by TIC, and spent time working at the Magic Millions sale up in the Gold Coast. They not only provide a pathway into working in this industry but a base education, and I could not recommend, thank and support TIC enough.

Any tips for Magic Millions SA Race Day out at Murray Bridge?

Well unfortunately I won’t be out in the yard, but having gone through my horse profile notes, 5. The Difference in Race 3 is a horse I analysed back in September and loved the appearance of.

He has a fantastic track/distance record (3:1-2-0), is reliable first up and performs well on a good surface, so he looks a big price and good each-way bet at $8.5.

IMAGE: Michael McInally