Retired thoroughbred Koko has quite the story to tell

By Andrew Smith

Christine Hewitt has been around plenty of thoroughbreds throughout her time but none of them quite compare to Koko Story.

The former jockey, and daughter Jamie, house the former racehorse at their property in Gympie, but it has been quite the journey for Koko Story to land there.

They bought him off Victorian event rider Robert Palm in 2023, who had discovered Koko Story as a five-year-old in the stable of Gold Coast trainer Gillian Heinrich.

Racing as Southern Pride, the chestnut gelding had three trials at Doomben, the Gold Coast and Eagle Farm back in 2009 and 2010.

He finished last in all three runs and never started in an official race, but has successfully transitioned to life as a showjumper with no hesitation, competing all around the world.

Palm and Koko Story were selected as Reserves for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in Mill Spring, USA but were forced to withdraw due to the horse picking up a virus.

It was around 18 months ago that the family then purchased Koko Story via a Facetime call.

“Jamie’s coach had suggested him, he belonged to Jamie’s coach’s best mate,” Christine explained.

“He’s the best - he’s a bit high maintenance but we love him and he is the best horse around, we wish we could get another one.

“I already asked the guy that we got him off if he’s got another one - sadly there is no other Koko Story but we’re looking!”

Christine had over 300 starts in the saddle from 1995-1999, mainly competing around the Far North Queensland region.

Having been around thoroughbreds for most of her life, she said Koko Story had proven to be one of her favourites.

“I used to be a jockey so have had a lot of experience with thoroughbreds - they can be quirky but so can any horse, the warmbloods are the same,” Christine said.

“They just seem so genuine, and they’ll try harder for you - he just loves cuddles and he’s just the nicest, easiest horse.

“He gets stabled every night and at 4 o’clock when he’s got to come in…he’s not happy if you’re late and he runs around the paddock, you have to be home to put him away.

“He would have to be the best horse for Jamie to step up the heights - she’s jumped the biggest track she’s ever jumped on him.

“They’re pretty confident together, he always tries his hardest for her.”

Jamie can attest to Koko Story’s nature, having spent plenty of time competing on the back of the 17-year-old in the showjumping arena.

“He had a done a little bit of jumping before I got him, but when I got him I started back small again just getting to know him,” Jamie said.

“He’s very, very sweet-natured, very cheeky - you wouldn’t even know he’s a thoroughbred just because of his nature – he’s not high-strung at all, he’s always very relaxed.

“He’s definitely a little bit trickier than some of the other ones I’ve had to ride, and getting used to riding him is a bit different to ones I’ve had before.

“He’s very easy going and relaxed and happy to do anything with, he’s like a little baby dog!”

The pair have enjoyed plenty of success together since linking up in 2023.

They won a Group 2 final at the Thoroughbred Sport Horse Association Nationals in 2023, and finished equal third in a Class 9 event in the 2024 edition.

At last year’s Ekka, Koko and Jamie finished third in the 120cm class of the QOTT Showjumping Showcase and were crowned the highest-placed Queensland-bred thoroughbred by the Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association.

Late last year, the pair competed at the Australian Jumping Championships at Willinga Park in New South Wales.

With 27 riders in the class, Jamie and Koko made it to the final round of the Young Rider Class, jumping 145cm and finishing 11th overall out of a field of 27.

Making it even better, Koko was also the only thoroughbred in the class.

Jamie is already looking ahead to adding more to Koko’s bulging CV in 2025.

“We are hoping to step up and do a few mini prixs, and hopefully we get to Thoroughbred Nationals and the Ekka again,” Jamie said.

“We are just looking for that consistency and stepping up a little bit bigger.”