Duffy gives Territory Express a new journey
By Jordan Gerrans
When trackwork rider Christine Duffy first saw that Territory Express was retired following a Deagon trial in June of this year, she knew she had to have him for his post-racing endeavours.
Duffy, the partner of Melbourne Cup-winning rider Robbie Dolan, had a long association with the gelding as she travelled him north for a winter carnival when she was previously based in New South Wales.
Just a few months following Territory Express’ last appearance as a racehorse, the seven-year-old is already making an impact after his career on the track, recently placing inside the top 10 at an event for retired gallopers.
“He's going really good for being so fresh off the track,” Duffy said.
“He's a very good jumper, as well. He'll probably go up the grades pretty quickly.
“He's very soft-natured. He's a very gentle horse. He's very unassuming. He's just like a big kid's pony.
“He doesn't really get up and get silly or anything like that. He's very quiet and he's a very good boy.”
Duffy competed in the event at Fig Tree Pocket alongside fellow Queensland racing participants Georgina Cartwright, Sharryn Livingstone, Angela Jones, Rachael Stoddart, Brent Armstrong and Corey McConnell, among others.
Cartwright placed second aboard Suilven, who she rode in a race on multiple occasions, while Livingstone finished seventh with Heart Vandelay, who she trained.
Top city rider Jones rounded out the top 10 with Bartholomeu Dias.
The group of jockeys, trackwork riders, strappers and trainers was all riding off-the-track thoroughbreds.
“Heart Vandelay was my first winner at Kilcoy and definitely has a forever equestrian home with me,” Livingstone said.
“Chrissy and Corey both rode their horses trackwork and Brent owned and raced his horse.
“The event consisted of a dressage test, a showjumping round and a cross-country course, all of which has to be ridden with precision and timing.
“It just shows that industry people do appreciate the thoroughbred.”
Territory Express spent time in the stables of Paul Niceforo, Joseph Pride and David Vandyke during his career, which yielded four wins from 25 appearances.
The 32-year-old Duffy rode trackwork for the Niceforo camp before moving to the Sunshine State and even travelled the galloper north for a carnival.
Duffy’s partner Dolan partnered the son of Territories twice on race day, including at Doomben in 2024.
“He won a $1 million race down in New South Wales and he ran second in a Group race,” she said.
“I've known him for a good couple of years now. I used to strap him, look after him and everything.
“So, when he came up here to David's and he had finished racing, I texted David about him and he said I could have him.
“I've had him about maybe 14 weeks now, since he retired, basically.
“I've just been doing a bit of eventing with him. He's very talented, this little horse. He obviously is a very fast racehorse.
“David was very good, thankfully, though. He gave me all the info on him and it was very good of David. He's very nice.
“I still text him now and show him pictures and that now, David loves seeing that stuff.”
After riding trackwork for Chris Meagher when she first relocated to Queensland, Duffy now works at Tony Gollan’s stable, alongside Jones and Cartwright.
The trio are heading down to Equimillion in Sydney this week with retired champion Antino also making the trip with Jane Gollan.
Territory Express is one of two retired racehorses that Duffy has in her care, alongside a former David Pfieffer galloper.
“He lives a good life now,” she said of Territory Express.
“He's sort of very fresh onto it, really, in the scheme of things. He’s very talented.”
