NZ Trainer Turns Injured Racehorse Into Winning Streak

When Roaring Bebe arrived back in Cambridge, New Zealand, with a debilitating hock injury, most people would have written off the six-year-old racehorse. Instead, trainer Ben Foote and his family saw an opportunity to give the struggling gelding a second chance.

The results speak for themselves. After months of careful rehabilitation, Roaring Bebe has won two consecutive races and is heading to Trentham on Saturday for his third attempt at victory.

"This horse took a long time to get over it," said Foote, who trains alongside his son Ryan at their Cambridge base. Hong Kong trainer David Hall sent Roaring Bebe back across the Pacific with simple instructions: the horse can still gallop, so give him a try.

The turnaround required more than physical healing. Roaring Bebe arrived with behavioral quirks and a stubborn streak that made training difficult.

Foote credits his wife Kim for the transformation. She took personal ownership of the horse's care, and her patience paid off as Roaring Bebe's attitude shifted from defiant to focused.

"He had a mind of his own, but he's quite a neat horse now he's in the right head space," Foote explained. Kim now owns Roaring Bebe alongside their son Ryan, his partner Lily Chan, and family friends.

The Ripple Effect

The Foote family's success with Roaring Bebe represents something bigger than one horse's comeback story. Their ongoing partnership with Hall has created a pipeline of opportunity between New Zealand and Hong Kong racing industries.

Foote educates, pre-trains, and trials horses that Hall purchases in New Zealand before they head overseas. When those horses need rehabilitation or a fresh start, they return to Cambridge where the Foote family works their magic.

Keegan, another Hall horse who came through their program, went on to win four races. The arrangement creates jobs, builds international relationships, and gives horses like Roaring Bebe second chances they might not receive elsewhere.

The family atmosphere extends beyond blood relations. When longtime friend Ken Garnett mentioned over beers that he wanted to invest in another horse, Foote pointed him toward Kim and Roaring Bebe.

Originally purchased for $35,000 at a New Zealand bloodstock sale, Roaring Bebe's journey shows how patience and expertise can unlock potential that seemed lost. His best Hong Kong finish was second place, but back home in New Zealand with the right care, he's found his winning form.

As Roaring Bebe prepares for Saturday's race, the Foote family proves that success in racing isn't just about speed and breeding. Sometimes it's about believing a horse deserves another shot and putting in the work to make it happen.