Former race horse Takes Time enjoying retirement with Joel Bullimore

By Jordan Gerrans

Nearing retirement age from the workforce, Brisbane’s Joel Bullimore was looking for a mate to spend his later years with.

He has most certainly found that with Jack, a former race horse - who went by the name of Takes Time at the track - that is enjoying life post-racing.

Bullimore has been around the gallopers for much of his life, being the son of a jockey Barry Bullimore, who rode in Brisbane before later relocating to Townsville during the 1960s through to the 1980s.

Joel remembers riding ponies around the Cluden Park area in Townsville when he was going through school, before spending time living and working in Cairns – where he was associated with leviathan owner Tom Hedley – and has since settled in Brisbane.

Joel owns a couple of acres up at Burpengary and has recently built a stable at his property for Jack to live out of over the last six months as he has let down from being a race horse in work.

“I am pretty close to retirement; I want to knock off in five or six years,” Joel explains.

“I just thought what a wonderful opportunity for me to take on this horse, it will be like a hobby.

“You have got to love the animal.

“I am too old for eventing or showing or stuff like that, with me it is about going to the beach once a month or going for a trail ride.”

Takes Time was prepared by Eagle Farm trainer Lindsay Gough across his 20 career trips to the races, winning on five occasions as well as a couple of minor placings.

The son of Dylan Thomas won a Saturday metropolitan race in September 2019 as well as victories at a few other Queensland tracks.

Joel has been life-long friends with the Gough family, including Brisbane trainer Lindsay and his two brothers Darren and Jamie.

He was more than happy to take “Jack” on when his final race start was run in the middle of 2020.

Over the years, Joel would occasionally ride a galloper when the Gough stable took horses to the beach but he has not been a regular rider since he was a teenager.

“It is about reconnecting and enjoying the animal,” he said.

“It is kind of like riding a bike, it is different but you never forget it.

“It has been funny riding consistently for the first time in 40 years.

“Occasionally I would go to the beach with Lindsay and ride one, I have probably ridden once or twice a year for 40 years before taking on Jack.”

Joel spent over 30 years working in roofing and now is employed by Queensland Rail, where he expects to work for a few more years before easing into retirement with his new mate Jack.

They are developing a close bond.

“He is a beautiful animal and has a character of his own,” Joel said.

“It is beautiful to head down the beach with him.

“He is happy and is loving it.

“Who knows how far our journey takes us but, wow, what a wonderful mate he’s become with one hell of a personality.”

Joel has raced a handful of horses over the years, including Alyssa Jean, who ran in the money on eight occasions in her 17 career starts.