The former Sherbert frontman busted it out in front of approximately 14,000 racegoers at the Albury Gold Cup on Friday afternoon to a rapturous response – as he has countless times before.

But in a few weeks he's hoping to perform it with Rickie Lee Jones, who originally wrote the song with Walter Becker and released it in 1989.

“When I first heard The Horses I thought it'd make a really good album track for the Rise album,” Braithwaite said.

“So I did it, it became a single, and it's pretty much still a single now.”

Braithwaite said he'd attempted to reach out to Rickie Lee Jones in the last 10 to 15 years as the song grew in popularity in Australia, but with only limited success.

But with the American vocalist coming down under in three weeks, those messages have finally hit home.

“She's aware of the impact the song has had, I'm going to meet her for the first time in a few weeks,” Braithwaite said.

“I've sent messages over the last 10 years or so, but haven't had much of a reply until now.

“I explained to her how significant the song is, how popular it has become.

“Her version is a bit slower, I still haven't found out what she actually wants me to sing – maybe a chorus or something.

“She's very good, a lot of her songs are very captivating.”

As for the enduring popularity of Braithwaite's version, an anthem which has worked its way into the Australian cultural zeitgeist, he's not 100 per cent sure he can explain it.

“Having everyone sing it back like they do now is kind of the reward I suppose,” he said.

“That didn't happen when it first came out 27 years ago.

“It's really only been in the last 10-15 years that people have really embraced it.

“It's not just my age group, but people a lot younger as well.

“I guess that's the sign of a good song.”

Albury Racing Club chief executive John Miller said the day had been a success, thanks in large part to the recently completed track upgrade.

“It was a bit nervous in the last few days, but probably would have been a lot more so if we hadn't done anything,” he said.

“It's performed as good as can be expected considering the amount of rain we’ve had.

“In 12 months time it'll be a really good track.

“It was much needed, we were always nervous each year if we got the heavy rain.

“Today has been excellent, we've had trainers coming from everywhere.

“The Cup field itself was one of the strongest in recent memory.

“Everyone has had a good time – it certainly helps when you get good weather at these things.”