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The feats of unlikely Black Saturday hero Fabish, a former thoroughbred racehorse and clerk of the course, will be celebrated at the Healesville picnic race meeting on Sunday.
The equine hero will make a special appearance on the anniversary of the devastating bushfires to lead out the race named in his honour, the Fabish Open Trophy.
A year ago this Sunday fire roared through the township of Narbethong, approximately 21 km from Healesville, and across Tarnpirr Farm, a 500 acre horse property owned by trainer Cliff Brown and his father Don.
Amazingly, none of the valuable racing stock on the property was lost, nor injured, thanks to the bravery of trainer and farm manager Alan Evett and the instincts of Fabish.
The 14-year-old grey gelding, who was prepared by premier trainer Mick Price during his racing career, sprung into action to save seven yearlings he was 'mentoring' in an outer farm paddock.
Evett expected a grim discovery when he went looking for the yearlings after the firestorm had passed, only to see old Fabish appear from the shadows leading the seven to safety in Indian file.
Fabish and Evett will be introduced to the crowd and will participate in a minute's silence before leading out the field.
In addition, the top-weighted jockeys in each race at Healesville will wear a set of specially designed “We support the Yellow Ribbon cause” colours to commemorate those affected by the bushfires.
At a five other race meetings across Victoria this weekend - Caulfield, Bendigo and Buchan on Saturday and Colac and Sale on Sunday – the crowd will pause to reflect on the horrific events of Black Saturday and the clubs will fly their flags at half mast.
RVL chief executive Rob Hines said, “Black Saturday will go down as one of the most catastrophic days in Victoria's history, which is why it is important to reflect on the amazing stories of survival and the heroics of people like Alan Evett and our own equine hero Fabish.
“The racing industry stands united with all Victorians this weekend in remembering those lost in these tragic bushfires and acknowledging the wonderful efforts of the emergency services and volunteers who came to the support of so many.”
