How do you replace the adrenaline-filled emotion, energy and atmosphere when your sporting career comes to an end?
How do you replicate the intoxicating feeling of playing in front of a packed arena in pursuit of individual and team success?
How can you repeat the spoils of victory and share the camaraderie with your teammates?
It’s a burning question that most athletes have to answer and stare down when their playing days are finally over.
Some athletes find the transition difficult and many turn to high adrenaline activities in pursuit of a competitive rush.
For Tony Buhagiar, following a decorated and distinguished football career in WA and Victoria, he chose horse ownership.
The thoroughbred and football community have always had strong links, there’s warm affinity between the sporting codes.
Many former and current players are often seen enjoying a day at the races in their spare time and some take their passive interest further.
Buhagiar inherited his love of racing from a couple of good mates and said it helped fill an important void after his playing days ended.
“I ended up with a share of a horse called Sizzling Snippets,” Buhagiar said.
“That horse did very well and then through my association with Craig Yeo and Neil Pinner we had amazing success with Ellicorsam.
“Before that I had no interest at all, and it was all football; I never ever had a bet.
“I suppose what got me interested in racing, it was the closest thing I could get to the adrenaline of a game of footy.
“When you see a horse and think you’re a chance in the straight, it gives you a similar buzz to footy and it got me hooked.
“It’s been about 20 years of involvement now; I’ve always had a few horses but probably more now than before.
“It’s a great sport to be involved in and the friendships you form can’t be understated.”
Buhagiar, a pint-sized rover, celebrated playing football at the elite level for 13 years.
A dual premiership player for East Fremantle, he played 108 VFL games for Essendon and Footscray.
He earned All Australian selection in 1979 and served as a Fremantle board member for a decade.
Buhagiar’s services to the game were recognised on Monday night when he was inducted into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Buhagiar has no regrets in a notable football career, but laments Ellicorsam being cut down in her prime.
Unlike Buhagiar’s footy tenure, her career was short, retiring after 10 wins and two placings from 20 starts in 2006.
The Fimiston mare won five stakes' races in Perth but reached a career peak in Adelaide, winning the Group 1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.
Buhagiar says Ellicorsam was the best horse he’s owned.
“Absolutely, without question,” Buhagiar said.
“After winning the Hannans, her feet were never the same.
“She was amazing and gave us all such a great thrill; it was sensational, fantastic.
“We stuck with a fair few of the family, who also did very well.”
Buhagiar continues to do well as co-owner of Alsephina, who went close to Group 1 glory in last year’s Railway Stakes (1600m).
The Star Turn mare has finished no further back than sixth in her career, winning nine races and placing five times from 15-starts.
The Grant and Alana Williams-trained six-year-old races first-up in Melbourne on Saturday in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
“Hopefully she (Alsephina) can be my next Group winner,” Buhagiar said.
“We’ve had some rippers along the way, like Snipparoochy, who could have been anything,
“We had a fair bit of luck with Miss Copycat, that’s going back a while.
“Rokanori is another main one, now with Stephen Miller.
“I’ve been involved in horses for a while now, but it still gives me the same buzz and thrill as when I first started.”
Julio Santarelli