Biara Flyer | Winning Streaks for Alby!

Biara Flyer is a 2010 Flying Pegasus gelding who has proved to be as consistent off the track as he was on the track. Biara Flyer had 31 starts, with eight wins, one second and seven thirds. Under the guidance of several trainers, Biara Flyer earnt connections $25,180, but it was with trainer Julie Walsh that Biara Flyer really hit his stride, going onto win 6 races in a row at the Landor Track. He even brought home the Landor Ladies Bracelet four years in a row and becoming the first horse to achieve this accomplishment since the conception of the race.

Biara Flyers first win with Julie was rather special to the Walsh family, as he was ridden to victory by Julie’s eldest daughter, Jessamy Palmer, and track ridden by younger daughter, Phoebe Walsh. He went onto win Leading Horse of Landor for 2016, securing him a special place within the Landor history books.

Julie wrote a story on Biara Flyer, which features within the book; ‘Landor Legends – Celebrating 100 years of the Eastern Gascoyne Race Club’ written by Lucy Brownlie, whose husband Doug was a part owner of Alby during his racing career. Julie commented that she could talk forever on Alby and continues to hold the talented gelding in very high regard.

“He’s an absolute living legend! He’s done what no other horse has done in 101 years of Landor!” Julie said enthusiastically.

During his race prep with Walsh, Biara Flyer was also ridden out around the farm and was competed in the Blackwood Marathon while race fit. Once retired from racing in 2019, Alby was then rehomed to another rider, who used him as a trail horse for several months before needing to rehome the gelding.

In early 2022, Tim Wiese was in search of a mount to ride within the Blackwood Marathon. After spotting an ad for Biara Flyer (Alby) on gumtree, the Wiese family travelled to Narrikup to view the gelding. Tim and wife, Sarah Wiese, purchased Alby with confidence that he was the horse that Tim was looking for after learning of his past experiences with Julie and his extensive trail riding history.

Alby is described as a very easy-going horse to handle, who is a pleasure to work with. He is the first to meet you at the gate and thoroughly enjoys playing with his paddock-mates and sunbaking in the sand. When beginning his training with Tim and 20-year-old son, Dan Wiese, Alby was initially green on his flatwork and required some focused education. The gelding has now come along well and shows great promise with his jumping, competing in 45/65cm classes and training up to 75cm in both show jumping and cross country.

Although Alby is Tim’s horse, he is competed by son, Dan, in the off-season. Tim typically only trains his horses for a handful of months before the marathon, leaving Alby free the rest of the year for Dan to ride.

After recently retiring his mount of eight years, Dan hopes to compete Alby through the levels of jumping and specifically takes interest in tetrathlon competitions. Alby and Dan have entered three Tetrathlons this year, bringing home a win in each one. Biara Flyer won the 45cm class at Beverley Tetrathlon, the 65cm at Mortlock, and the 65cm at Serpentine. Biara Flyer also competed this weekend at the State Tetrathlon Championships, in which we eagerly await to hear his results!

The OTTWA Team wish Dan, Tim, and Alby all the best in their year ahead!

Photos credited to Julie Walsh and Sarah Wiese.