Rebel Truce a master of all trades Off The Track

Truce was a moderately successful racehorse, amassing $253,317 in prizemoney from 48 starts for trainer Patrick Payne, whose sister Michelle was in the saddle for four of the gelding’s nine wins on the track.

Now a rising 12-year-old, the handsome bay by Bel Esprit – bred and owned by legendary cattleman Jimmy Matthews – has a special home with his former strapper Emma Collins, who had her eye on him for the six years he was in the stable.

“I strapped him every race day and rode him in his trackwork pretty much every day, so when it came time for him to retire, everyone knew he was coming home with me,” Collins said.

Following a well-deserved spell in the paddock, the pair tried their hand at one-day eventing, with Truce proving to be an impressive jumper.

But it wasn’t until Lee Purchase, who re-homes all of Darren Weir’s retired racehorses, encouraged Collins to make a foray into the world of showing that Truce’s true calling was found.

Truce was a force to reckoned with in the showring, rarely coming home without a ribbon. In 2017, he won ‘Supreme Led Thoroughbred’ at Geelong Royal.

“He really enjoys strutting his stuff in the showring, and I was thrilled when he won Supreme Thoroughbred at Geelong Royal,” said Collins.

Whilst the pair will continue their showing career, they are also practising ‘free riding’, where no tack is used and there is only a string around the horse’s neck for the rider to hold.

“It’s amazing how calm and relaxed he is without a bridle, he really has taken to it,” added Collins, who describes Truce as her soulmate.

“This horse is my heart, he just makes me so happy, my absolute rock – he will stay with me forever,” she revealed.

Patrick Payne spoke highly of his former charge, and said he was glad Truce had ended up with his regular carer.

“He was such a good-natured horse in the stables, with a really gentle mouth and a scopey jump,” said Payne.

“Emma loved him the entire time he was in my stable, and when he was retired Jimmy [Matthews] knew exactly where he should go.

“Post-racing careers are so vital for our thoroughbreds, with a lot mine going on be nannies for the yearlings or top-level equestrian hacks. Truce was a prime example of a really clever horse who could go on to do anything.”

Article courtesy of Racing Victoria - Off The Track