Rachael Cunningham could talk for hours about stable star Bee Tee Junior.
The recently turned 12-year-old heads to the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown on Sunday as a prelude to the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat on August 27.
If successful for a second time in the Grand National Steeplechase, Cunningham would consider retirement for the jumper who will have to finish racing next July anyway.
Cunningham said Bee Tee Junior is one of those horses that comes along rarely for a small stable and the search is on for a replacement.
âHeâs the best horse Iâve had, and heâs just ticked over 12 years of age and I keep thinking, âhow am I going to replace himâ,â Cunningham said.
âThey donât come along very often.
âHeâs so tough and for a little stable that doesnât have a budget to go out and buy horses, or import horses, we were very lucky to come across him.
âHeâs the best jumper weâve had and every morning I think to myself we need to find another one of you, but weâre not going to.â
Bee Tee Junior won the Grand National Steeplechase in 2020 and then missed a year of racing courtesy of a tendon injury.
Cunningham said all-the-way through the 2022 jumping season he was a run behind, always playing catch up which was reflected in his form.
She said horses, especially older ones, can struggle post a tendon injury and that was the case with Bee Tee Junior who has had a good season over jumps this year, despite not winning a race.
âHis whole prep, every time he does a little bit of work and every time he has a run, he bounces out of it,â Cunningham said.
âI think he is bang on now and by the time we get to the National Chase, heâll be even better.â
Originally Cunningham had planned to run Bee Tee Junior in the Crisp Steeplechase (4200m), also on Sunday, but with 65kg, which is below jockey Darryl Hornerâs weight range, the Grand National Hurdle became the option.
âIâm happy with the National Hurdle field and Iâm happy heâs in that race as he jumps the hurdles well and is still quite quick over them,â Cunninham said.
âIdeally, I wouldnât mind some rain and for the track to be wet.
âHe loves it bottomless heavy, so they might be a bit quick for him, but itâs a nice race for him on the way through to Ballarat.â