AGE proved no barrier for Armidale-trained Storm Ahead as he surged over the finish line for his ninth career win in Tamworth on Tuesday.
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The nine-year-old, ridden by Jackson Murphy, streaked ahead of Mai Gomeroi by two lengths to claim the win in race five over 1400 metres.
Sandra Mccormack has trained the gelding for nearly four years and was thrilled with his finish in Tamworth, which marked the end of his racing career.
He is really lovely and a beautiful animal.
- Sandra Mccormack
She said he has had a great career with plenty of brilliant performances.
"We were absolutely stoked,” she said.
"What a way to go out. The owners have had a wonderful time with him.
"He has been a wonderful horse.
“It has been fabulous, a real good journey.
"The tracks haven't been really good at Tamworth and we went down there hoping he would run a really good race, he would win or run a place but we didn't really expect him to win that good.”
Storm Ahead has raced 73 times and will be retired to a pleasure home after his last race.
"Tracy Bell is going to take him and show him because he is a really good sort,” Mccormack said.
"He is really lovely and a beautiful animal. He doesn't kick, he doesn't bite, he doesn't do anything horrible.
"She is going to train him up for shows.
"Most racehorses, when they finish racing, they like to do something.
"This is what is so good about getting a home for them where they are doing something.
"Stormy will go to Tracy and she will be doing something all the time.”
Such is the relationship the owners and trainers of Storm have with the horse, he will never be without a home.
"We told Tracy if he doesn't work out, he comes back to us,” Mccormack said.
"He will never be sold on because we always like to know where our horses go.”