In the world of Australian racing, few names resonate as strongly as Nature Strip. This remarkable chestnut gelding, who has captured the hearts of racing enthusiasts, is now embarking on a new journey under the guidance of ex-jockey Kathy O’Hara. With an illustrious career that includes multiple Group 1 victories and a reputation as one of the fastest sprinters in the world, Nature Strip is poised for a promising future in Jumping.

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Foaled on November 16, 2014, Nature Strip made his racing debut in October 2017 and quickly established himself as a dominant force on the track. With 44 starts, he achieved an impressive record of 22 wins, 8 seconds, and 1 third, amassing a staggering total prizemoney of $20,755,008—second only to the legendary Winx. Nature Strip’s accolades include victories in nine Group 1 races, such as The Galaxy, the VRC Darley Sprint Classic, and the illustrious The Everest, where he claimed the title in 2021.

His prowess earned him the titles of Australian Racehorse of the Year for both the 2019/2020 and 2021/2022 seasons, along with recognition as the world’s best sprinter in 2022. Retiring fit and well after his last race in September 2023, Nature Strip transitioned from the racetrack to a new arena, where he would continue to showcase his talent.

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Kathy O’Hara’s journey with horses began at a young age, initially falling in love with Eventing before making her mark in the racing world. “I started with ponies when I was really little,” Kathy recalls, sharing that her favourite phase in Eventing was the cross-country as she “really liked to go fast!”. Her passion led her to work experience in Goulburn, where she began riding track work, ultimately leading to a successful career as a jockey that spanned over two decades.

Throughout her career, Kathy achieved remarkable milestones, with over 1,000 wins including three Group 1 races and the prestige of riding in high profile races, including the Melbourne Cup. After her last race in November 2023, Kathy embraced a new chapter in her life as she prepared to welcome her daughter Grace, who was born in mid-2024.

Having retired from race riding, Kathy turned her equestrian focus solely onto Jumping, which she had continued to compete in over the years when time allowed. Kathy is regularly seen out and about at shows, competing most recently on her little homebred mare Emissary Lass.

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Kathy’s connection to Nature Strip came through her husband, Charlie Duckworth, who is the Racing Manager for renowned trainer Chris Waller. When Nature Strip was retired, the owners sought a suitable home for him, ultimately deciding on Charlie and Kathy’s property. “They wanted him to come to our place because he retired fit and healthy and they felt he still had a great future ahead of him,” she explains. 

Riding Nature Strip (‘Nate’) for the first time, Kathy quickly recognised his intelligence and willingness to learn. “He’s one of the most intelligent thoroughbreds I’ve ridden,” she states, noting his balanced canter and eagerness to tackle challenges. Despite being a seasoned racehorse, Nature Strip is still in the early stages of his Jumping career, and Kathy is taking the time to nurture his skills.

Above: Kathy and Nature Strip at Sydney Jumping Association last month.

Kathy has ambitious yet realistic goals for Nature Strip’s future in Jumping. “I’ll let him tell me how far we can go,” she says, emphasising the importance of not rushing the process. “Even though he is easily jumping 1.20m at home and has really never said no to anything I’ve asked of him, I’m taking it slowly because I don’t want to take advantage of his good attitude.”

Nature Strip is eligible for various thoroughbred competitions, including EquiMillions and Kathy aims to enter him into the thoroughbred class at Magic Millions next year if she feels like he is ready. 

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As she continues to train Nature Strip, Kathy remains focused on his development, taking advantage of his natural athleticism while ensuring he remains mentally engaged.

Nature Strip’s new partnership with Kathy marks an exciting chapter for this lovely horse. With Nature Strip’s remarkable background and Kathy’s passion for horses, fans of both the racing and equestrian worlds have much to look forward to as they embark on this new adventure together.