Team Thoroughbred NSW was thrilled to partner with King of the Ranges as part of the 2026 Thoroughbred Retrainers Challenge, held from September 25–27 in the picturesque town of Murrurundi, New South Wales. Set at the foot of the Great Dividing Range, the event brought together talented riders and versatile retired Thoroughbred racehorses to celebrate life after racing, putting on a brilliant display traditional country horsemanship disciplines while showcasing the highest standards of retraining.
Organised through a fantastic initiative led by Oxley Island Equine Welfare Property Manager Bernie Sutton, the Thoroughbred Retrainers Challenge provided a wonderful opportunity for Team Thoroughbred NSW to connect with the local community, answer questions and assist aspiring competitors eager to get involved next year.
Demonstrating Adaptability and Skill
The challenge tested horse-and-rider partnerships across a demanding range of traditional stockman skills, including:
- Bareback obstacle course
- Pack horse handling
- Stock handling
- Whip-cracking
- Cross-country riding
- The thrilling obstacle course time-trial final
Competitors entered through two distinct pathways: bringing their own retired Thoroughbred racehorse (retired from March 2025 onwards) or participating in the Team Thoroughbred NSW Horse Selection program, which provided a horse selected in April 2026 alongside a six-week trial period and feed support generously provided by Mitavite.
2026 Thoroughbred Retrainers Challenge Results
| Overall Place | Rider & Horse Combination | Highlights |
| 1st | Danielle Hamilton & Stewart Island | Demonstrated exceptional calmness throughout the bareback challenge and cross-country, earning the top spot and the $2,000 Team Thoroughbred winner’s bonus. |
| 2nd | David Winter & Papadum | Team Thoroughbred NSW graduate showcasing bold confidence across both the obstacle course and whip-cracking sections. |
| 3rd | Alex Kelly & Roconono | Outstanding performance across the whip-cracking and stock handling, representing Queensland competitors. |
| 4th | Dani Altham & Seamus Son | Team Thoroughbred NSW graduate who took out 1st place in the packhorse saddle event. |
| 5th | Maddy Dunbar & Time To Pause | Newly retired racehorse who took every experience in stride after spending just four days in training with Maddy. |
Looking Ahead to 2027
Supported by Racing NSW and Mitavite, the $3,000 prize pool and $2,000 bonus incentives for Team Thoroughbred NSW Graduates highlighted the incredible adaptability of Thoroughbreds in second careers.
We are proud to partner with the King of the Ranges event to champion equine welfare and post-racing pathways. Whether you are looking to showcase your retraining skills or begin your own retired racehorse journey, we look forward to seeing even more entrants take on the challenge next year!
