St Andrews (Nzl) ridden by Natalie Mckay, winner of the Best Performed OTT during The Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout presented by Racing Victoria Off The Track at Melbourne Showgrounds on September 29, 2023 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)
Close to 40 retired thoroughbred racehorses will compete in a range of events at the Melbourne Royal Show over the coming days, displaying their versatile ability for careers post-racing.
Racing Victoria (RV), through its Off The Track (OTT) program, is again thrilled to be sponsoring key equestrian events throughout the Show’s program, helping to drive demand for thoroughbreds while shining a light on their diverse skillset.
Tomorrow (Thursday, 3 October), the Col. A.V. Pope Cup, presented by Racing Victoria’s OTT program, will be the first sponsored event to feature, with the action starting at 2:25pm in the Main Arena.
Held annually at the Melbourne Royal Show since 1950 and only open to thoroughbreds, the Col. A.V. Pope Cup is awarded to the Best Saddle exhibit that displays the best manners, paces, conformation, soundness and performance in the judge’s opinion.
Accomplished equestrian rider Ali Kent, wife of horse trainer Michael Kent Jnr, will be competing in this event aboard Regalia who raced as Aunt Bridge.
While Aunt Bridge didn’t have the best success on track with three placings from 11 starts, the mare is now enjoying her second career as a show horse.
“I’m very excited to be competing in the Pope Cup with Regalia,” Kent said.
“The thoroughbred is such a quintessential show hack and it’s a privilege to train and show such a beautiful mare.
“I’m very appreciative to both Racing Victoria, Melbourne Royal and all of the incredible volunteers at the Melbourne Royal Show for supporting these events where the broad talent of thoroughbreds can be displayed.”
On Friday morning (4 October) from 9:30am, one of the most prestigious equestrienne events, the Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout, will celebrate a significant milestone when it returns for its 90th year with the event featuring seven retired racehorses.
Horse and rider combinations are judged on manners, paces, riding, saddlery, conformation, soundness and general appearance. This year, the Best Performed OTT horse in the Garryowen will take home $500 in prizemoney and a trophy rug as will the Best Performed OTT in the Providence Cup Show Hunter Hack class (Thursday) and the Esquire Equestrienne Turnout (Friday).
Rounding out the OTT sponsored events on Saturday (5 October) are the Ladies and Gentleman’s OTT Spring Fashions – Led OTT Thoroughbred events which will see horses judged on their characteristics and manners, along with the presentation of horse and handler.
In addition to these events, an exciting new experience being supported by RV is the Off The Track Stable Tours.
This initiative allows Show attendees to go on exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of the stables and visit the retired racehorses awaiting their equine competitions. These tours are running daily, every hour on the hour, between 10am and 3pm.
RV General Manager – Equine Welfare, Melissa Ware said: “It is exciting to once again work with the Melbourne Royal Show to sponsor and provide support to these key equestrian events.
“It provides a great opportunity to showcase the amazing abilities of retired racehorses and their riders, and to raise the profile of RV's Off The Track program and the work we do to drive demand for thoroughbreds as performance and pleasure horses.
“Thousands of racehorses have enjoyed successful careers in the equestrian arena following their retirement from the racetrack and I look forward to watching all our Off The Track thoroughbreds compete this week at the iconic Melbourne Royal Show.”
About Off The Track
The Off The Track program aims to facilitate the placement of retired thoroughbred racehorses in second careers by promoting a network of RV Acknowledged Retrainers, driving demand for the breed as performance and pleasure horses, and educating the community about the various life after racing options, versatility of use and appropriate care and retraining of the thoroughbred.
More information: ottcommunity.com.au