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The Harrovian is one of the most popular gallopers to come out of Queensland in recent years, taking his owners on an amazing journey to heights they would have never dreamed of when he first landed in Cairns.

"Big H" – as he is known – was always branded as a "cult hero" in his racing days.

He lifted himself from a lowly rated galloper in Victoria to go on a Cup winning spree through North Queensland.

Then he was competitive in black-type events in Brisbane - winning two Listed races - as well as putting in a mighty effort in the All-Star Mile of 2021.

And, in retirement, Big H's connections are spoiling him the exact same way he treated them during his dazzling career.

The gelding is the star attraction at Aztec Park on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland.

The facility is used as big-time owner Tom Hedley's spelling farm, with horses trained by Roy Chillemi and Stephen Massingham spending long periods of time there.

And, after Big H's retirement, he is now calling it his permanent home, alongside his brother – The Grove – who Massingham also trained.

Alistair Glasser manages the Hedley-owned Aztec Park after previously working as the race course manager at Cairns' Cannon Park.

The well-travelled Glasser saw The Harrovian up close and personal in his stunning racing days in Cairns, being unbeaten in eight trips to the track.

According to Glasser, the nine-year-old still acts like he is the king of the north. 

"There is no doubt about it, he is most certainly well aware of who he is and what he has done on the race track," Glasser said.

"If anyone turns up the farm, generally they want to go see him.

"We will often lead spelling horses past him and joke that they need to pick their game up and what The Harrovian did is what they need to aim for.

"Even when he is on the walking machine, he still carries on like he is ready for another preparation."

Leviathan owner Hedley has seen two of his great gallopers retire recently, with Stradbroke Handicap winner Tyzone also calling time on his racing days this year.

Tyzone is living out his days with the people that bred him and Hedley says it is only fitting that his top horses are well looked after post-racing.

"The Harrovian is enjoying himself but he is probably a bit bored if anything, taking into consideration where he has been and what he has done over the last few years," Hedley said.

"He has had a very good lifestyle, travelling around meeting new people and going to different tracks all over the country.

"It was enjoyable for him and exciting for us, the journey we were on with him.

"We need to look after these horses, forever and a day."

It is not just the feature race winners that Hedley looks after once they have run their final races.

The noted businessman is an animal lover and takes great pride in looking after his retired gallopers or even a thoroughbred that never made it to the track.

"For Tom, the welfare of the horse is absolutely paramount," Glasser said.

"When it comes to retirees, they are on the farm as long as they need to be as they let down from being at the track.

"We have a tight community of people interested in taking on our horses and we have had horses for up to six months before we find the right home for them."

At nine years of age and having run his last race in January of this year, The Harrovian did not have any major injuries and concerns that forced his retirement.

Having won over $1 million in career stakes, he was just going to be hard to place going forward if he was to return to racing in North Queensland.

Massingham – who trained and owned shares in the popular horse – has considered bringing him back out of retirement, but Hedley says he would never forgive himself if Big H was to suffer a bad injury in his return.

"It does not matter if the horse is a great one or a slow one, it is Tom's attitude that the horse always goes to a good home," Massingham said.

"We have taken horses back after the initial people could not look after them properly, brought them back to the farm to ensure we can find the right people.

"Tom is an animal lover and he wants to make sure they find the right home."

When Massingham drops off another horse for a spell at Aztec Park, The Harrovian will often follow his car as far as he can along the fence line, showing that he would love to get back on the float and head to Cannon Park.

In his retirement paddock, The Harrovian is placed next to his brother, The Grove.

Both from broodmare Harrow, The Grove won on three occasions and placed on five other trips to the races, before he also finished up.

Glasser thinks the brothers enjoy being side by side.

"They bounce of each other," Glasser said.

"They are similar in their manners and similar to look at as horses.

"They have really landed on his feet up here; the environment is great and the weather is fine.

"He could not have ended up in a better place than he has, Tolga is a beautiful place."

The brothers' are often seen hanging over the fence line having a chat and interaction between each other.

Aztec Park boasts a walking machine and will soon have a treadmill to keep the retired horses happy and healthy.

The Harrovian enjoys a bath and being ridden every now and again by the staff at the facility.

"He is a very touchy feely kind of horse and likes to stay mentally engaged," Glasser said.

"He is part of the family."