Regalia and Ali Kent, the 2026 winners of the F.L. Crane Perpetual Trophy – a prestigious accolade at Sydney Royal Easter Show that is awarded to the Best Ridden Thoroughbred Mare or Filly Hack over 15 hands. Image by Rodney's Photography.
The Sydney Royal Easter Show’s F.L. Crane Perpetual Trophy continues to stand as one of the most meaningful classes on the show calendar, offering retired Thoroughbred mares and fillies the opportunity to shine while recognising both their past and future potential.
For exhibitors Greg Gerry and Darren Telford of Whitmere Stud, the class represents far more than a single result, instead reflecting years of planning, patience and horsemanship.
Having attended the Sydney Royal Easter Show for more than four decades, Greg says the Show remains a defining point in their year. “Sydney marks the end of the season for us, so we return home for some downtime from showing and concentrate on weanlings and regrouping for our next season, which starts in spring,” he said. “Sydney is the show where we get to have happy hour in the alleyway each afternoon, catch up with interstate friends and show our horses on the best ground in Australia.”
While the competition is strong, it is the sense of history and tradition that continues to set the event apart. “Being from NSW, Sydney was always the main event,” Greg said. “There is so much history, and the Council and administrative bodies maintain the formality and sense of prestige. The bringing together of so many rural communities brings a recognition and respect from people not necessarily involved in show horses. The Trophy Room is worth visiting and connects competitors to showing greats of the past. Sydney holds true to its history.”
Regalia and Ali Kent won the Crane Trophy for the third time at the Sydney Royal Easter Show this year. Image supplied.
REGALIA & ALI KENT ARE SHOW STOPPERS ONCE AGAIN
At the centre of Whitmere Stud’s 2026 success was Regalia, partnered by rider Ali Kent, who once again delivered in the Thoroughbred ranks. “Regalia was crowned best Thoroughbred in 2024 and 2025 so it was lovely to win the mare class again,” Greg said. “To win three Crane Trophies in consecutive years is amazing. We are very lucky to have her and to have a great team of people behind her. With Ali Kent in the saddle, it is a very special partnership.”
The F.L. Crane Perpetual Trophy is awarded to the Best Ridden Thoroughbred Mare or Filly Hack over 15 hands.
For Greg, the significance of the Crane Trophy extends well beyond the ring. “The Pope Cup [a class held at Melbourne Royal Show for Thoroughbreds] and Crane Trophy have always been held in such esteem,” he said. “The Crane Trophy is particularly special in that it links the present to the future, stipulating that it is for mares suitable to breed show hacks. For people like us who breed show horses, this is a link that is not recognised or understood by many end users. Life after racing has become a focus of the racing industry, and the melding of history and a strategic objective for our racing industry works well.
“As a competitor [classes like the Crane Trophy] provide us with great showing opportunities and recognition of the work that we do in reshaping ex-gallopers into viable show horses. This is critical as modern day horses continue to stray further from the traditional type with the influx of crossbreds and purpose-bred sport horses.”
The Whitmere Stud team with Crane Trophy winner Regalia. Image supplied.
“As a breeder, it
is a long haul from
conception…
That long-term perspective underpins Whitmere Stud’s entire program. “Showing is like racing, in that proven stock inevitably increases the likelihood of breeding stock with the same capabilities, so we love mares that come with form,” Greg said. “It really is a five-year-plus plan, as a ridden career in the showing ring begins as early as four years of age. As a breeder, it is a long haul from conception, and so many things can go wrong. It is exciting, however, as it provides us with an ongoing purpose for a mare and every year brings the anticipation of what we might breed. It is a mix of good decision-making and luck. It is somewhat a lottery, but it is that uncertainty that makes it exciting.
“All being well, we will have a very special mare in our paddock that will be spoilt for life.”
As the Crane Trophy continues to evolve, it remains a class that not only celebrates excellence in the present, but also highlights the careful breeding, retraining and long-term vision that shape the future of the show horse industry. EQ
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