The real Shady standing up in retirement for Leane Williams

By Andrew Smith

The popular saying goes that ‘age is no barrier’ and Leane Williams and her standardbred Shady are certainly subscribing to that theory when it comes to retraining.

Leane, who turns 71 this month, has formed a tight bond with the 11-year-old former harness racehorse since she acquired him in January 2024.

Racing as ‘Purple Shades,’ the bay gelding earned almost $82,000 on track with 14 wins over a 194-start career under the training and ownership of Tayla Gillespie.

Leane had previously bred Appaloosas but was convinced a standardbred was the right fit for her at her Pine Mountain property.

“I work for my friend (harness trainer) Tess Neaves - I’ve helped her out for many years and I got to know the standardbreds well,” Leane said.

“Tayla Gillespie had posted an ad for another horse on Facebook, so I contacted her about him, and she said, ‘Oh, we decided to send him to (Queensland Off-The-Track Acknowledged Retrainer) Giuditta Crisci to go through her program, but I've got one here that I think would be perfect for you.’

“So my friend and I went around and saw him the next day and fell in love with him at first sight and a week later, Shaun Gillespie dropped him off.”

Leane admitted she was drawn to the standardbred breed for their calm nature.

After tearing the meniscus in her knee several weeks ago, Leane said Shady was the perfect horse for her to aid her recovery.

“I'm 71 this year, so obviously I don't want anything that’s too challenging, but he is absolutely perfect for me - he's just been the sweetest horse you could ever wish for,” Leane said.

“The first time I got on, I just felt safe, and he's never done anything to make me feel unsafe in any situation.

“He’s perfect to take anywhere, he doesn’t get hyped up and that's what I need. Obviously, at my age, I don't need to be coming off, because things don't mend like they used to!

“Everything I have asked from him, he has done - he just loves to work and loves to please. He's an absolute cuddle bug and he has not put any foot wrong the whole time I've had him.

“I haven't met a standardbred that I didn't like, they have all got a beautiful temperament.”

Leane has been working with friend Sharyn Ross, who is an Approved Coach as part of the QOTT Subsidised Lessons Program.

The lessons have proven invaluable in helping Shady adjust to post-racing life.

“I did 10 lessons last year and then I've got another 10 this year, because I got in within the eighteen-month window for 10-lesson eligibility,” Leane said.

“It's such a big learning curve for them when they come off the track, but he's just picking it up so well.

“He still paces a little bit sometimes, but he's got the most beautiful trot and once he gets his balance properly, we'll start on the canter.

“I just want to do a bit of everything with him, and anything I've put him to, he’s handled without any dramas at all.”

While she is not a full-time dressage rider, Leane will continue to help develop Shady’s skills in that discipline after he placed well in both led and ridden classes at the State Standardbred Championships.

But her main aim is to ensure the former pacer enjoys life in retirement.

“We’ve done a few dressage comps and we did the state stage show last year, he handled everything really well,” Leane said.

“I'd like to see him progress a bit but I've got no grand aspirations to be riding Grand Prix or anything, obviously at my age it’s about going out and having fun on him.

“We've been up to the obstacle course at Helidon, as well as some trail rides and a jumping clinic.

“My friend and I are not super competitive - we like to do well, but it's all about having fun, and the horse having fun.

“But in saying that, we still like to have lessons and improve and I can just see the way he's come along and he's changed shape.”

Leane has seen firsthand the benefits of the QOTT Program, with Giuditta Crisci receiving a QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer Expansion Grant to aid in setting up her retraining arena.

She believes the QOTT Program has been crucial in highlighting the versatility of the standardbred breed.

“The Queensland Off-The-Track Program is sponsoring our Members Only Dressage Day next month at the Lockyer Equestrian Group which is great,” Leane said.

“It gives the horses more opportunities - I think in the long run, people aren't going to need those encouragements, because they're going to see the breeds for what they are.

“The more people that own them, the more they get out and about, and the more people get to know them.

“I know in the time that I've been friends with Tess, the attitude towards standardbreds has become more positive, so that can only be a good thing.”

Click here for more information on the QOTT Subsidised Lessons Program.