Tom McLackland, a 32-year-old elite farrier, defies stereotypes with his muscular physique resembling a professional rugby player. He maintains peak fitness through rigorous training to meet the grueling demands of horseshoeing Australia’s top racehorses.

Intense Training Routine

McLackland trains twice daily—once every morning before work and again each evening after finishing. He explains, ‘I really enjoy training and work out twice a day. I take a lot of pride in paving the way for the next generation of farriers. I believe you should take pride in your work.’

Growing up around horses due to his father’s profession, McLackland developed a passion for farriery early on. He states, ‘I was around horses all my life thanks to my dad. The older I got, the more I appreciated his craft. I love being around horses—they’re incredibly intelligent animals. I was also drawn to the thrill of racing and the rags-to-riches stories.’

Physical Toll of Farriery

The profession proves far tougher than it appears, with significant physical strain leading many to retire early. The average farrier age sits around 50, as few young people enter the field. McLackland notes, ‘Being a farrier is not a glamorous job. It’s physical and tough on the body. That’s why I enjoy taking care of myself so much. It’s very common for farriers to retire early—it’s a very tough industry. The hardest part of the job is the physical toll on the body.’

Randwick Race Preview

McLackland prepares to shoe horses at Randwick for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday, part of day two of The Championships. He offers a bold prediction: ‘It’s a tough one to call, but I’m backing Autumn Glow.’

The superstar mare chases her 12th straight victory against seven rivals, including three stablemates and two trained by William Haggas.