Island Missile | Missile Launched to Island Paradise!

Bred by Twin Palms Stud in NSW, Island Missile entered the world in 2014. By Smart Missile, Island Missile was purchased as a yearling in 2016 by Triple Crown Syndication for $100,000 and began his racing career in 2017 with Snowden Racing. Island raced over-east for several starts for some impressive wins at Randwick and Flemington racecourse. Following a successful race campaign with Snowden, Island Missile moved to Western Australia in late 2020, beginning his training stint with Gangemi Racing. Michael Gangemi purchased the gelding from the Online Inglis April sales in 2020 for $22,500 and under Gangemi’s guidance, Island Missile continued his successful career until early 2022, when he retired from racing. With an impressive resume of 48 starts, six wins, ten seconds, three thirds and $360,110 in lifetime earnings, Island Missile had surely made his time on the racetrack count.

Following retirement from racing, Island was rehomed to Sheridan Weinert, who worked for Gangemi Racing in 2021 and had previously claimed Island as one of her favorites.

“When I first saw him, I couldn’t believe he was a thoroughbred. He looked half Welsh pony with how round he was,” Sheridan recalled fondly. “I would always joke around about taking him to the Royal the day after winning a race because he looked like a hack in fit racing condition.”

Island is described as a quirky individual, with a sensible attitude. He will take things in and process them appropriately. Sheridan found this attribute of his to be beneficial toward his off the track retraining, as he proved to be far easier to maintain his focus with distractions all around him. The biggest challenge Island and Sheridan have faced was a brief injury following a paddock accident in October of 2022. With four months of bandage changing, Island made a full recovery thanks to Sheridan’s commitment, who was blown away by how good Island was to regularly treat. Following on from this injury, Sheridan worked to build Islands muscle back up and have begun regular outings.

Island Missile has attended several Off the Track WA clinics and the SPPHAWA Dual Code Spectacular show in May. Despite limited work beforehand, Island behaved impeccably and left the show with the Reserve Champion Newcomer Hack award under his belt. Island recently attended Northam Agricultural Show where he also went onto win Champion Thoroughbred in the breed section, Champion Hack in the Show Horse, and High-Point Hack. Sheridan hopes to begin jumping and eventing Island soon, and will be attending some more agricultural shows in the next few months.

“I’m a real advocate for off the track horses– especially ones who have had a decorated racing career. These horses are professional athletes and usually have an attitude to match. They make the transition easily to any discipline they have a go at,” Sheridan commented about what drew her to owning a retired racehorse. “They all have something to give if you are willing to listen and they will teach you just as much, if not more, than you can teach them.”

OTTWA wish Island Missile and Sheridan all the best for their future together.