Adorable footage shows two little girls happily racing alongside a friendly horse which mimics them as they run.

Desiree Tagg, 29, from Australia, filmed her two daughters Abby, seven, and Zoey, four, racing two-year-old thoroughbred Shelby up and down her paddock.

The pair can be seen waiting excitedly for their mum to shout 'ready, steady, go' as Shelby lines up next to them on the other side of the fence.

When the girls take off as fast as they can, the friendly mare shoots off after them to try to cross the line first.

Desiree, from Watanobbi in New South Wales, said watching her children regularly play with Shelby has left her in awe of the young horse's strong bond with them.

And Shelby, who has not yet been in a race, appears delighted to be given so much attention by the girls.

Adorable footage shows youngsters Abby (right) and Zoey happily running alongside a friendly racehorse

Desiree Tagg, 29, from Australia, filmed her two daughters Abby, seven, and Zoey, four, racing two-year-old thoroughbred Shelby (above) up and down her paddock

'Shelby is a baby racehorse who we have looked after since she was born,' said Desiree.

'She was broken in and went to the racetrack for a few weeks to learn and then went for a nice long holiday in this paddock to grow a little more and get some rest.

'My children and I feed her every day and will do anything to get attention.

Desiree, from Watanobbi in New South Wales, said watching her children (above) regularly play with Shelby has left her in awe of the young horse's strong bond with them

Abby smiles as she sits atop bay mare Shelby, who is yet to run in her first race

'She loves playing with the children, but her favourite thing in the whole world is racing.

'She loves to have little races with the kids. I say, 'on your marks, get set, go' and they race up and down the paddock until they are all tired.

'It's amazing the bond that a young horse can have with children. I can't even explain how many jaw dropping moments I have experienced with racehorses and children.

'It has made me respect racehorses even more and how they do what they are bred to do.'

Zoey gives Shelby a loving kiss as the racehorse guzzles some tasty grain in a pink bucket