Month: June 2026

Championing the Thoroughbred at a Grassroots Level

The morning sun cuts through the crisp winter chill at the Bathurst Pony Club grounds, lighting up the frost-covered oval. The air is filled with clinking stirrups, parents chatting as they unload gear, and the occasional whinny. It is a classic regional New South Wales Pony Club morning.

While the Pony Club movement reached a major milestone when the first Australian club opened in Ingleburn in 1939, and the state association was formally established in 1946, Pony Club has spent the last eighty years serving as the foundation of early learning in the equestrian world. It provides young riders with a structured, safe environment to master everything from basic horsemanship to elite-level disciplines. More than just a stepping stone for young riders, the pony club’s educational framework fosters the technical horse handling abilities and deep understanding of equine care that prepare passionate equestrians for a smooth transition into roles across the thoroughbred industry. Today, Pony Club NSW stands as the largest and most active member state in the country, boasting a massive footprint of over 220 local clubs and upwards of 7,000 active members.

At the historic Brian Booth Recreation Ground, the Bathurst Pony Club perfectly encapsulates this sprawling grassroots network. The club has documented historical references dating back to at least 1893, reflecting a proud and enduring connection with the Bathurst region and its equestrian community. For generations, the club has supported regional riders, families and volunteers through encouraging participation, horsemanship, community spirit, and personal development. This welcoming local hub serves as the ideal backdrop for Team Thoroughbred NSW to see firsthand how former racehorses are thriving in a community setting and reshaping what life after racing truly looks like.

The President’s Perspective: Matching the Foundation

Welcoming Team Thoroughbred NSW to the Bathurst grounds is Bathurst Pony Club President, Emily Cotterall, a lifelong advocate for retired racehorses whose connection to the breed is deeply woven into her family history.

“My grandfather left a lasting legacy breeding racehorses, and my uncles have a long history of retraining them for eventing once their track days finished,” Emily shares. “Growing up with them, and through my own experience over the years, I’ve seen firsthand that their trainability and kindness are intrinsic traits passed down through generations.”

From an administrative and safety standpoint, Emily is quick to challenge the common “too hot” stereotype. Instead, she highlights the Thoroughbred as the ultimate all-rounder. On a typical rally day, a single horse must switch effortlessly from precision flatwork and dressage to high-energy sporting, showjumping, and troop drill—a demanding environment where the breed truly shines.

Finding the right partner simply means understanding the nuances of the breed.

“Thoroughbreds come in all shapes, sizes, and temperaments, which is why researching their pedigree and track history is essential. Sprint horses and long-distance horses are bred for entirely different purposes,” Emily explains. “A horse with plenty of engine is a fantastic asset for jumping or eventing. Conversely, if you want a calm, steady mount for a rider navigating the Pony Club grades or as a Show Horse prospect, you should target a quieter, more relaxed thoroughbred type.” For families, a major bonus of the breed is their early track education. Long before stepping onto a Pony Club ground, most retired racehorses understand the basics—they float well, tie up patiently and stand quietly for the farrier.

Even so, Emily balances her enthusiasm with a realistic, safety-first message for parents. Retired racehorses require a knowledgeable foundation and are best suited to capable amateur riders and onwards—those who possess the confidence, regular coaching, and resources to guide them correctly. “Pony Club is an incredible environment for learning, but safety and correct matching must come first,” Emily stresses. Bathurst Pony Club encourages members to utilise their network of club instructors and regional coaches to ensure the partnership is safely supported from day one. With the right guidance and a solid foundation, Thoroughbreds make exceptionally loyal, versatile, and competitive partners that regional families shouldn’t overlook.

Partners in the Ring: Hayley & Bravissimo

Look no further than the main arena to see the perfect example of proper matching in motion. Out at the Brian Booth Recreation Ground, teenage rider Hayley is paving the way with her friendly retired racehorse, Bravissimo—affectionately known as Bradley! This absolute gentleman is showing local riders exactly what a retired racehorse can achieve in a grassroots community setting.

Standing completely calm at the float, Bradley exudes a relaxed presence, with soft eyes and ears forward that instantly challenge the typical ex-racehorse stereotype. A glance at his shoulder reveals his prominent Thoroughbred brand, a quiet nod to his past life. Now a seasoned 12-year-old, the gelding by Congrats (USA) out of Siren enjoyed a substantial career on the track with 37 starts, securing 3 wins and 13 placings. He began his racing career in the city under the care of legendary trainer Les Bridge, racing across premier Sydney tracks like Randwick and Rosehill, before moving to country trainer, Cheryl Crockett, in Mudgee. By the time he retired with an impressive $149,070 in career earnings, he had built a foundation of experience that today simply adds to his character as he thrives as the ultimate Pony Club mount.

Showing independence well beyond her years, Hayley unloads Bradley from the horse float, grooms him, and tacks him up entirely by herself right, with her mum supervising nearby. All the while, Bradley happily munches on his breakfast, completely unfazed by the busy preparations of the morning rally day around him.

Hayley and Bradley truly do it all. On any given rally day, you can watch them smoothly changing gears in a dressage test, quietly navigating sporting poles, having a laugh around a showjumping course, and even trying their hand at horseback archery! The weekend also brought new learning opportunities, with Bathurst Pony Club hosting a morning session on endurance. Members learned valuable horse mastership and medical tools, including how to check a horse’s temperature, monitor their resting heart rate, and execute a clean, correct trot-up for a soundness check.

“For anyone who doesn’t know, Pony Club is a community-based youth riding organisation designed to teach horse management and diverse riding disciplines—from showjumping and dressage to handy pony and sporting events,” Hayley explains. “Thoroughbreds are just so smart. Being at a Pony Club rally day where they are seeing other horses everywhere, hearing the PA system, bells ring, or kids playing around, plus watching cars moving around really helps desensitise them. Getting to participate in all the different disciplines in such a safe space keeps their minds busy and helps build confidence within the partnership between horse and rider.”

Having owned Bradley for three years, Hayley shares that the club has been the perfect space to learn new skills together. “What I love most is the incredible partnership we’ve built, and how rewarding it is to see him tackle every challenge with a level head,” Hayley says. “Bradley isn’t the most athletic over the show jumps, but he absolutely loves his dressage training—we have even started to nail our shoulder-ins and leg yields! He has come such a long way, and his topline is improving beautifully. Thoroughbreds have the best work ethic, and Bradley is just so eager to please.”

Mirroring the President’s advice, Hayley’s ultimate tip is to surround yourself with supportive people and a great coach. When the right foundation and coaching come together, regional pony clubs become the perfect place for a retired racehorse to thrive. It is incredibly rewarding to see retired racehorses like Bradley enjoying such a fulfilling next chapter.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

To find your own retired racehorse or learn more about Team Thoroughbred NSW official retraining and rehoming program visit teamthoroughbred.com.au or follow @TeamThoroughbredNSW on social media.

Feeding for the Frost: Why Hay is Your Thoroughbred’s Best Friend This Season

As the crisp mornings roll in across New South Wales, the change of seasons brings more than just a change in scenery. For our retired racehorses, the drop in temperature requires a shift in how we manage their daily care. While a cozy rug is a staple in the paddock, the real secret to keeping a Thoroughbred warm and healthy starts from the inside out.

The Natural Internal Heater

Did you know that long-stemmed forage, like hay, acts as a natural heater for your horse? Unlike grains or concentrates, which are processed quickly, hay is broken down through fermentation in the hindgut.

This fermentation process generates a significant amount of metabolic heat, providing a natural and steady way to maintain a stable body temperature during those freezing nights.

Why Forage Matters for Retired Racehorses

Maintaining body condition is a priority for Thoroughbreds in the Team Thoroughbred NSW retraining and rehoming program. As the grass loses its nutritional value in the cooler months, hay provides:

• Digestive Health: Constant foraging mimics a horse’s natural grazing behaviour, helping to prevent gastric ulcers and keeping the digestive tract moving.
• Mental Well-being: Boredom can lead to “stable vices.” Having a steady supply of hay keeps horses occupied and mentally stimulated.
• Stable Weight: Providing free-choice hay ensures that energy isn’t wasted solely on keeping warm, allowing the horse to maintain the muscle and topline needed for their new careers.

From Our Farms to Their Feed Bin

At Racing NSW, we are committed to the lifelong welfare of our retired racehorses. Racing NSW proudly owns and operates dedicated hay production facilities at Bylong Valley and Singleton. These farms began full production in 2023, a move that has been vital for both our horses and our sustainability.  The high-quality hay produced at these locations is distributed across our network to support horses at all Team Thoroughbred NSW properties, including:

• “Bart’s Farm” (Castlereagh)
• “Bandanora” (Capertee)
• “The Grange” (Oxley Island)
• “Glenferrie Farm” (Crookwell)
• “St Heliers” (Muswellbrook)
• “Belltrees” (Scone)

By managing our own land and production, we can guarantee that every bale is packed with the nutrients our horses need to thrive, no matter what the New South Wales weather throws at them.

Choosing the Right Fuel: Common Hay Types

There is often confusion regarding which bale to grab at the feed store. Here is a breakdown of the most common varieties used in New South Wales:

• Lucerne: High in protein and calcium, Lucerne is the “premium” fuel. It is excellent for Thoroughbreds needing to put on weight or those in active retraining. However, because it is so nutrient-dense, it should often be fed in moderation or mixed with a grass hay to prevent an oversupply of protein.
• Oaten Hay: A popular choice for maintaining condition. It is generally very palatable and provides good energy levels. It is a fantastic “internal heater” hay, though you should check that it is harvested at the right stage to ensure the stems aren’t too coarse.
• Wheaten Hay: Like oaten hay, but often slightly lower in sugar. It is a great bulk forage that keeps the digestive system moving without causing the “fizz” sometimes associated with higher-energy feeds.
• Teff or Native Grass Hay: These are lower-calorie options. They are perfect for “good doers” or as a secondary forage source provided in slow-feed nets to keep a horse occupied throughout the day without excessive weight gain.

Fuel Grades: A Grade vs. B Grade

When choosing your forage, understanding the grade can help you target your horse’s specific winter needs:

• A Grade Hay: This premium forage is harvested at the absolute optimum time and cured under perfect weather conditions with zero rain damage. It retains a striking green colour and holds onto its leaves, where the bulk of the nutrients live. Since it has a high digestibility rate, the horse absorbs more nutrients per mouthful. A Grade is best used for Thoroughbreds in active retraining or hard work, spelling or retired horses struggling to hold condition, and mares in foal or growing youngstock.
• B Grade Hay: While still highly nutritious, safe, and clean, B Grade hay may have been cut slightly later in the plant’s life cycle or baled with coarser stems. This higher structural fibre means it takes longer to ferment in the hindgut, generating a steady supply of metabolic heat to keep horses warm on freezing nights. Its lower sugar and protein content makes it an exceptional, economical choice for free-choice feeding, boredom-busting, and managing “good doers” or horses prone to metabolic issues without the risk of caloric overload.

Recommendations for Feeding Hay:

To ensure your horse stays in peak condition throughout the colder months, a consistent and strategic approach to forage is essential. Here is a guide to optimising your hay program:

When to Feed

• The “Sunset” Strategy: Always provide a fresh portion of hay in the late afternoon or early evening. Because the fermentation process peaks several hours after ingestion, feeding at dusk ensures your horse’s “internal heater” is running at full capacity during the coldest hours of the night.
• Small and Frequent: Ideally, horses should not go more than four hours without access to forage. Dividing the daily ration into multiple feedings helps maintain a steady digestive pH and prevents boredom.
• Three times daily feeding rather than twice daily, smaller concentrate meals throughout the day.

Where to Feed

• Sheltered Areas: If feeding in a paddock, place hay in a three-sided shelter or a high-ground area to keep it dry.
• Slow Feeders and Nets: Using slow-feed hay nets or specialised feeders is highly recommended. These mimic natural grazing by slowing down consumption, reducing waste from trampling, and keeping the horse occupied for longer periods.
• Multiple Stations: If your horses are in a herd, provide one more hay station. This prevents dominant horses from guarding the food and ensures everyone gets their fair share of warmth.
• Wet Hay: In winter, horses often drink less water because of the cold. Feeding damp hay increases their moisture intake, which helps move food through the digestive tract and reduces the risk of impaction colic. Additionally, soaking hay for 30–60 minutes can help “wash out” excess non-structural carbohydrates (sugars), which is beneficial for horse’s sensitive to laminitis or metabolic issues. It also eliminates dust and fungal spores, which is crucial for maintaining clear airways in stabled horses or those prone to respiratory sensitivity.

How much

• All horses should receive a daily intake of 1.5% of body weight per day with good quality hay or equivalent (grass). This equates to 7.5kg of hay per day for a 500kg horse.