Presented at the Horse SA People.Horses.Culture Conference 2016 http://www.horsesa.asn.au

1. Off the Track
Racing Victoria
Horses. People Culture
Friday, 13 May, 2016

2. Victorian Thoroughbred Racing
• 70,000 people who actively participate in
thoroughbred racing in Victoria each year
• 9000 thoroughbred racehorses competing in
Victoria annually
• Over $300 million spent on training, care &
welfare ‐ $35,000 per horse each year

3. Equine Welfare
• Thoroughbreds are the centrepiece of our industry
and their health and welfare is of the utmost
importance
• Racing Victoria spends more than $2 million
annually on equine welfare and veterinary services
• Investment in research to continually refine and
improve equine welfare practices

4. Retirement of Racehorses
• Industry Retirement Rule introduced by the ARB in
2014
• Thoroughbreds with a link to racing are the most
represented breed among 600,000 pleasure &
equestrian horses in VIC
• Racing Victoria’s Off the Track Program introduced
in 2012

5. RV Off the Track Program
Overarching aims:
• Increase demand for retired thoroughbred
racehorses as pleasure & performance horses
• Assist with the placement of retired racehorses in
second careers by supporting a network of 39
acknowledged re‐trainers across the state

6. RV Off the Track Program
• Racing Victoria engages a statewide network of
‘Acknowledged Retrainers’ including Katie Ramsay.
• Individuals/Groups with shared aims
• Undergo application process via RV
• Acknowledgement by RV
• Act as a conduit between racing & equestrian
• Partnerships with racehorse trainers & owners
• Entitlements & Incentives

7. RV Off the Track Program
Achieving the aims:
• Marketing & Promotion
• Attributes of the thoroughbred
• Sharing success stories
• Event sponsorship
• Education
• Equestrian & pleasure industry
• Racing Industry (Owners & Trainers)
• General Public

8. RV Off the Track Program
Thoroughbred Success Stories
• TS Jamaimo – Retired after one unsuccessful trial, now one of the
world’s premier CCI4* event horses. Rio Olympics.
• Koko Pop – Retired after one start in WA. RV OTT Triequithon winner in
2015. Sold to William Fox‐Pitt in UK.
• DP Destiny – Winner on the track for Colin Alderson. Tried as a
broodmare before retired to the show ring. Winner of inaugural Off
the Track Show Series in 2014 & OTT National Championship in 2015.
• Chosen One – Winner on the track for Tony Noonan. Winner of
Garryowen in 2014 & 2015.
• Super Impressive – Multiple Stakes winner for Lee Freedman retired
into Victoria Police’s Mounted Branch.

9. RV Off the Track Program
• Sponsorship of more than 400 competitions in
which over 12,000 retired racehorses have
competed within:
• Show Horse (Royal Melbourne Show, Victorian Off the
Track Show Horse Series, etc)
• Eventing (MI3DE, Racing Victoria Triequithon)
• Show Jumping (Aus SJ Champs)
• HRCAV (Thoroughbred Riding Club)
• Pony Clubs

10. RV Off the Track Program
Achieving the aims:
• Marketing & Promotion
• Attributes of the thoroughbred
• Sharing success stories
• Event sponsorship
• Education
• Equestrian & pleasure industry
• Racing Industry (Owners & Trainers)
• General Public

11. RV Off the Track Program
Racing Victoria’s 2016 Equine Welfare Strategic Plan
• Vision ‐ To be a leader in equine welfare and build a racing culture in
which the safety and welfare of the racehorse is paramount to all
participants and owners
• Aim ‐ Consolidate and advance knowledge, policies, guidelines and
practices where there is scope to improve outcomes for horses
• Aim ‐ Work with other organisations within racing and beyond, to share
knowledge and improve practices in other jurisdictions or equine pursuits
(including working with Racing Australia to achieve a consistent national
approach)
• Aim ‐ Develop and implement programs and initiatives that advance
welfare outcomes for racehorses before, during and after racing
• Aim ‐ To have all industry participants and owners understand and
embrace their responsibilities in relation to equine welfare