January 2023 marks one year since the inception of the Queensland Off-The-Track Acknowledged Retrainers Program.
Maximising aftercare outcomes for retired racehorses across the state as they transition from the racetrack or the breeding barn to second careers, the Acknowledged Retrainers Program is one of a suite of programs funded by the prize money levy implemented to support equine welfare in Queensland.
QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers are a vital component in supporting retired thoroughbred and standardbred horses in gaining the necessary skills and experiences needed to transition to their post-racing lives as pleasure, therapy or performance horses.
In the twelve months that the Acknowledged Retrainers Program has been operating, 94 horses have been accepted into the program, with 53 of those horses having completed their retraining and have been successfully rehomed to date.
Racing Queensland Senior Animal Care Manager Kim Duffy is proud of what the program has managed to achieve in such a short timeframe.
“We are delighted with the popularity and success of the QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers Program so far,” Ms. Duffy said.
“We could not be happier with the quality and the diversity of the retrainers across the state and the fantastic outcomes they have achieved with retraining and rehoming thoroughbred and standardbred horses throughout the year.”
“While the initial response to stage one of the program has been extremely encouraging, the team is dedicated to achieving a world-class, multifaceted QOTT Program. With strong foundations established during the past 12 months, we look forward to further expanding our program with what is set to become another big year for QOTT in 2023.”
This includes expansion of the Acknowledged Retrainers network, with interested retrainers welcome to apply to become QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers at any time.
The program has had its fair share of winners from the track. “Rock With Sam” is the richest winner, having won over $240,000 for 22 wins, 2 seconds and 16 thirds. Obviously not every horse in the program was victorious on the track. Horses with less than stellar race results have also shown great skill in other post-racing pursuits, including dressage and showjumping.
Amanda Chant, who specialises in retraining Standardbreds is one of 14 QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers.
The joy of retraining and rehoming standardbreds has been the driving force behind Amanda becoming a QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer.
“I enjoy it because they are such a giving horse,” she said.
“When you see the progress from the harness to riding and the mental and physical transformation it's very rewarding.
“I want to show showcase the breed’s versatility. I just love retraining them.
“You build such a connection with them. I also love their quirkiness.”
The support the QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers receive is funded from the one percent prize money levy, with funding directly benefiting the individual horses through health and nutritional subsidies.
Guiditta Crisci is another QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer who focusses on Standardbred horses. She sees the benefit of the program for trainers and owners wanting to rehome their retired racehorses.
“There is a vigorous application process in becoming a QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer which gives trainers peace of mind,” she said.
“We have a really large market for these horses. We get 10 to 20 messages a week from people looking for them. We usually have a number of homes lined up for them. This means we can place the right horse with the right person.”
Once a horse is rehomed through one of the QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers they are also eligible to participate in the Subsidised Lessons Program, which provides 10 free lessons to the new owner/rider with an QOTT Approved Coach.
Guiditta believes this to be a huge additional benefit of rehoming through a QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer.
“It is really important with a new horse to have eyes on the ground”.
To find out more about the QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers Program, further information is available on the QOTT website here: Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT)
