Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association

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The Queensland Off-The-Track Program has this morning unveiled the nine successful applicants for its 2024 QOTT Grants Program.  Under Round 3 of the Grants Program, $123,600 has been awarded to a range of not-for-profit organisations, charities, businesses and QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers across the state, who provide equine retraining or rehabilitation services, or second careers for retired racehorses. The funding also benefits retired racehorses that have previously transitioned from the racing industry into the domestic horse community. The successful applicants span across three alternative initiatives. They are: QOTT Business Expansion Grants – three grants awarded totalling $43,700; QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer Expansion Grants – two grants totalling $40,000; and QOTT Therapy Horse Grants – four grants totalling $39,900. No eligible applications were received for the QOTT Veterinary and Rehabilitation Grant or the QOTT Second Chance Retraining Grant. QOTT Chair Dr Christine Johnson said that it’s imperative to increase the post-racing opportunities available for retired racehorses outside of the common pathways. “Supporting equine operators that utilise retired racehorses in non-competitive activities is extremely important to QOTT as we continue to expand the range of post-racing pathways available for retired racehorses,” Dr Johnson said. “From riding schools to therapy organisations, QOTT aims to increase the breadth of career options and non-competitive pathways available, as well as driving demand for retired thoroughbred and standardbred horses into long-term homes. “Additionally, funding provided by QOTT allows our statewide network of Acknowledged Retrainers to grow their capacity to take on more retired racehorses, which further complements the work of racing trainers and owners who directly transition their horses into second careers.” The QOTT Program was established to support a high-quality first transition for thoroughbred and standardbred horses, bred for the racing industry and domiciled in Queensland at the time of their retirement from racing or breeding activities. To maximise aftercare outcomes, the QOTT Program supports the placement of retired racehorses into second careers, promotes life after racing options and identifies retirement pathways. Additionally, QOTT aims to stimulate demand for thoroughbred and standardbred horses and increase awareness of their adaptability and versatility of use; provide education and support for racing industry participants and the domestic horse community to optimise racehorse aftercare; and advocate for the lifelong traceability of retired racehorses beyond their first exit from the racing industry. RQ Senior Animal Care Manager Kim Duffy said the QOTT Grants Program was imperative in supporting grassroots community organisations and businesses that make a significant impact on the wellbeing of retired racehorses. “Now in its third year, the QOTT Grants Program is an important step to help expand aftercare initiatives available to retired racehorses at all stages of their lives,” she said. “The QOTT Grants Program has already delivered close to $400,000 in funding under the previous two rounds, which collectively helps to improve welfare outcomes for retired racehorses while supporting the growth of equine operators in Queensland. “I congratulate the community organisations, businesses and individuals who are the recipients of this year’s grants, and look forward to them making a significant impact to the wellbeing of retired racehorses.” In 2023, the second round of grant funding supported 21 not-for-profit organisations and charities by contributing more than $280,000 towards maximising aftercare outcomes – in addition to a further $100,000 in its first round in 2022. The QOTT Grants Program complements the various post-racing initiatives introduced by QOTT over the past three years. These include the Subsidised Lessons Program, Acknowledged Retrainers Program, Event Sponsorship Program, QOTT Nutrition Education Hub, Safety Net Partnership with Save A Horse Australia, QOTT Clubhouse and the New OTT Owner Welcome Pack, QOTT Education Program and QOTT’s Premium Event Partnerships. Click here for more information on the 2024 QOTT Grants Program recipients.

A new pathway for young people to enter the thoroughbred industry has been established with Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) launching a graduate program. The scheme will give university- leavers the opportunity to learn from some of the biggest names associated with racing, breeding and wagering. Those accepted on to the course will undertake a two-week learning block based at Flemington racecourse, before starting an internship with a major employer. Among the companies supporting the program are Entain, Godolphin, Waterhouse and Bott Racing, Magic Millions, Melbourne Racing Club, Inglis, Yulong and the Victorian Racing Club. “This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone hoping to work in the thoroughbred industry,” says TBA chief executive Tom Reilly. “We have a huge industry, employing around 80,000 people, but until now there hasn’t been a pathway in place for us to try and recruit talented young people who can progress into leadership roles. The aim of the learning block is to open the graduates’ eyes to all aspects of the industry and show them the different career options open to them.” The learning block will feature lectures and workshops on everything from creating a wagering market, selecting a yearling, through to marketing a racing carnival and learning how the handicapping system works. In the UK the British Horseracing Authority has run a highly successful graduate program for 30 years, with many executives across the industry having completed the course. TBA aim to attract 10-12 graduates in the first year, with the learning block starting in late January 2025. After this fortnight, graduates will join an employer for a paid internship of at least six weeks. Entain Deputy CEO and CFO Lachlan Fitt said: “This program offers young people a unique chance to see every side of the racing industry, from breeding to race-day operations to wagering. At Entain, we know the value of fostering new talent, and this program is a real game-changer for anyone serious about a future in thoroughbred racing.” He added: “In today’s industry, hands-on experience and mentorship from leading organisations are key to building the next generation of racing professionals, and that’s exactly what this program offers.” Another supporting the initiative is Australian training legend Gai Waterhouse, who is well known for mentoring young people. She said: “We have to keep looking at how we bring young, talented people into the industry and I think this is a wonderful way to do it. We are very much looking forward to having somebody join our team on their internship.” The graduate program builds on TBA’s established education and training programs, such as the national breeding traineeship, Fast Track, and TBA Learning, a free online platform that has more than 1,000 students enrolled on its courses. “I’m very grateful to Kylie Rogers and the VRC for jumping on board and providing space for the learning block. I’m sure being based out of Flemington will be inspiring to the graduates,” added Reilly. Applications are open now and can be completed at tbaus.com . Those applying need to have graduated in 2024 or 2023.

DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 31 FOR QTIS-ELIGIBLE FOALS BORN IN 2023 Eligibility A - Queensland Bred is FREE - The progeny of any stallion standing in Queensland at the time of conception.* * Subject to the QTIS and QTISx terms and conditions as posted on the Racing Queensland website and all Australian Studbook obligations must be met. NOMINATION IS NOT REQUIRED FOR ELIGIBILTY A. Eligibility B - Breedback The progeny of a non-Queensland based stallion, provided the dam was covered by a Queensland domiciled stallion in the year the foal being registered was born (ie. foal was born in 2023, mare must have been covered by a Qld-based stallion in 2023) * * Subject to the QTIS and QTISx terms and conditions as posted on the Racing Queensland website. PAYMENT DEADLINES 1. FIRST PAYMENT • A discounted First Payment of $770 (GST inc) made on or before October 31, 2024; OR • A late First Payment of $1,980 (GST inc) if First Payment is made after October 31, 2024 but on or before June 30, 2025. • If no first payment is received on or before June 30 the horse will not be eligible for QTIS. 2. FINAL PAYMENT A payment of $550 (GST inc) made on or before June 30, 2025. This assumes a First Payment has already been made. 3. FULL PAYMENT If a First and Final payment have not been made, full payment of $2,530 (GST inc) is required to be paid by June 30, 2025 to fully QTIS register your horse. 4. LATE PAYMENT A late payment option is available for horses not fully registered by June 30, 2025. The fee is $1,500 (GST inc) and is required by August 31, 2025. If no final payment is received on or before August 31, the horse will not be eligible for QTIS. To be fully paid up and eligible to win QTIS bonuses, a FIRST and a FINAL payment must be made. Horses are not eligible for the Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme if no first payment is received on or before June 30, 2025. Registrations will not be processed until verification of parentage is provided Click here for more information or to download the forms

Deziree Roos is so committed to her coaching duties that she did not even consider cancelling on an annual pony club camp to attend the 2024 TAB Queensland Thoroughbred Awards. The Oakhurst-based retrainer was crowned the Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT) Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year – Thoroughbreds at last month’s awards ceremony. “I feel very excited, and appreciated,” Deziree said. “I do devote my entire life and my career into rehoming and retraining, so to be acknowledged for the hard work and the commitment that I give towards these thoroughbreds, it’s a nice feeling. “I’d love to thank the owners and trainers of these horses because I know that the equine welfare prizemoney levy does help us do our job and that’s important to remember. “My partner Cindy is also amazing - she’s the one who looks after 20-something horses when I go away for weeks at a time teaching kids. “I couldn’t honestly do this many horses if it wasn’t for her keeping everything together at home.” As well as retraining, Deziree runs competitions for retired racehorses, competes on them herself and coaches the next generation of riders. Such was her devotion, she could not attend the awards ceremony in person in Brisbane. Instead, she was busy educating future riders and industry participants at the Zone 15 Pony Club Queensland camp in Capella, north of Emerald. “I’m gutted I couldn’t be there in person,” Deziree said. “I had a four-day camp up there and I get rebooked every year so this was my fourth year up there, and it’s their 60th anniversary this year. “When you’ve got 140 kids from all over out west and you only have coaches that come to them once a year, it’s a pretty big thing for them to have this many coaches in a big week like that.” The 29-year-old has rehomed 31 horses since she came on board as an inaugural QOTT Retrainer in 2022. Deziree knows more than most the important role that pony clubs play in developing skills and abilities. Coming from a “non-horsing family,” she was a regular pony club attendee before her passion for the industry was ignited as a teenager, where she learnt a range of different disciplines. “When I was 14 and went to a Christmas party at Wattle Brae Stud, that pretty much ignited the fire with the thoroughbreds - I caught the bug and have been involved ever since,” Deziree said. “From then on, I worked either track work or stud farms and have been involved with the thoroughbreds whilst doing everything else. “I think you can learn from everybody and probably the most important advice would be to travel and learn in different disciplines. “When I was in Beaudesert, I worked with Brett Welsh at Allstars doing stock horses as well as riding trackwork, and I’ve worked overseas in America for hunters and jumpers - I have worked for every single discipline, and I’ve learnt something from all of them. “I think that really helps to be successful because not a lot of horses learn the same way or respond to the same technique either, so you learn from everybody and it’s important to go and travel and work within different disciplines and then put it all together.” Deziree’s favourite horse since entering the program has been Helsman, a gelding that came to her Carratum Park facility as a two-year-old. While she is currently only retraining two horses, Deziree is committed to helping foster the growth of the QOTT Program. “When I heard the QOTT program was starting, the first thing I did when I went home was started my application and that’s the fastest I’ve ever filled out paperwork,” Deziree said. “I think the best thing about the QOTT Program is that it’s made the general public and probably the rest of the horsing community a little bit more aware of the versatility of the thoroughbreds. “Not all of our retrainers are in Olympic disciplines and not all of us compete every weekend - we do have thoroughbreds doing everything from dressage and trail riding to cow horse, they’re useful for anything.” RQ Senior Animal Care Manager Kim Duffy said that Deziree had made a remarkable impact with assisting retired thoroughbreds transition from racing to their post-racing lives. “Deziree has a genuine love and passion for thoroughbreds and is a fantastic advocate for the breed - we are incredibly honoured to have her as a QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer,” Ms Duffy said. “Not only is she a fantastic horsewoman, it’s also important to recognise Deziree’s continued efforts to educate trainers, owners, the equestrian community and the general public about life after racing opportunities for racehorses. “I would also like to congratulate Amanda Benson who is a very worthy recipient of the runner-up award. “Amanda joined us as a QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer in 2023 and hit the ground running, implementing a successful retraining model that is a true credit to her experience, professionalism and dedication to finding suitable homes for retired racehorses. “It is incredibly important for the racing industry to recognise and celebrate our network of Acknowledged Retrainers that work tirelessly to improve aftercare outcomes for retired racehorses.”