TRNT Off The Track

21/02/2026

🌟 Club Sponsorship Opportunities for 2026! 🌟

Are you an Equestrian Club passionate about supporting Off The Track Thoroughbreds? 🐎✨

TRNT Off The Track is now accepting sponsorship applications for the 2026 season! Don’t miss the chance to elevate your club with support for events, activities, or programs that highlight the incredible journey of retired racehorses.

📲 Apply now: https://www.trnt.org.au/.../application-for-club-sponsorship
Or email: [email protected]

18/02/2026

💙 Please welcome TRNT Off The Track Educator- Karen Ruzsicska 💙

Karen brings more than 35 years of riding, competition, and coaching experience to the TRNT Off The Track program, with a strong background in show jumping and dressage.

She has served as President of the Darwin Show Jumping Club for over 15 years and has been an active committee member for approximately 25 years, contributing to the planning and delivery of club competitions and events.

Karen has extensive experience retraining Off The Track Thoroughbreds and supporting their transition into new careers. Her most recent retraining project progressed to Elementary level dressage and later became an established 2* eventer with a subsequent owner in New South Wales. Her coaching focuses on correct foundations, confidence building, and practical, progressive training outcomes for Thoroughbreds and their riders.

Karen is a fully accredited and insured EA Level 1 coach with Equestrian Australia, an accredited course designer and jumping judge, and holds FEI Level 2 judging accreditation with the Fédération Equestre Internationale. This accreditation is held by only a small number of officials in Australia.
She has also attended National Interschool Championships as both the Northern Territory team coach and team manager.

Karen offers private and group lessons, clinics and structured training sessions for Off The Track Thoroughbreds and their riders.

If you wish to contact Karen regarding her services, her details are below:
[email protected]
0417 848 545

If you own a retired racehorse, you may be eligible to receive a $250 Equine Education Grant through Karen Ruzsicska. Please contact TRNT Off The Track for more information- [email protected]

30/01/2026

Michael Duckenfield and Field Commander capped off 2025 in style, delivering outstanding results on the national stage at the Show Horse Nationals🏆🌟

Michael Duckenfield and his Off The Track Thoroughbred Field Commander, better known as Percy, recently took on the national stage at the Show Horse Nationals, held from 4–6 December at Werribee Park in Victoria.

After qualifying in Darwin at the Equestrian Northern Territory Horse of the Year Show, Michael and Percy earned their spot at one of Australia’s premier show horse events. From there, it was a long trip south to represent the Territory, with Michael and Percy proudly flying the flag as the only Northern Territory representatives at the event.

The Show Horse Nationals brings together the best combinations from each state, all qualifying through their respective Horse of the Year championships. For Percy, the challenge was stepped up even further, with the event marking his first-ever experience in an indoor arena.

Despite this, Percy rose to the occasion, producing a standout performance to finish 2nd in the Racing Victoria Off The Track Led Thoroughbred class. He also produced a strong showing in the ridden Off The Track Thoroughbred, just missing out on a placing — a fantastic effort given the scale of the event, the new environment, and the level of competition. In addition to the Off The Track classes, Michael and Percy also represented the Northern Territory in the Large Hack 16hh and over and Rider 26 years and over categories.

Field Commander is a six-year-old gelding with 18 race starts, one win and career earnings of $56,150, previously trained Clarke Racing Stables before retiring from racing. His performance at the Nationals is a real credit to his attitude, versatility and the work that has gone into his retraining.

Congratulations to Michael and Percy on a fantastic achievement💙

09/01/2026

So exciting to see Noir de Rue (Norm) heading off to his new home 😍

Wishing Norm and his new owner all the very best for this next chapter. A huge thank you to Jason Manning Racing and Norm's wonderful connections, and another big thanks to Lou Abey for the amazing work and care you’ve put into supporting Norm along the way. What a great outcome! 🐎✨

Bochelli’s legend (Ellie) and Noir de Rue (Norm) have headed off to their beautiful new home with Keira.
Lucky ponies! 🐎

Off The Track
TRNT Off The Track
Jason Manning Racing

09/12/2025

Noir de Rue (Norm) is looking incredible 🤩

He was so talented during his racing career, and it’s great to see him doing just as well off the track. Norm looks settled and ready for whatever comes next.

Big congratulations to his owners and trainer, Jason Manning Racing, for giving him such a great start to retirement. Wishing Norm all the best as he finds his new home and career 🐎✨

Norm's retraining has been supported through TRNT Off The Track’s Second Start Subsidy — designed to assist with the cost of retraining Thoroughbreds after racing.

05/12/2025

✨Reminder: Education Grant – Third Round Now Open! ✨

Great news, Thoroughbred owners – the TRNT Off The Track Education Grant has officially re-opened for a THIRD round! 🐎🙌

Already applied before? You can now reapply and claim another $250 to support your horse’s training and development. This is your chance to keep the momentum going and further your retraining journey!

💌 To apply, please email: [email protected] to organise your next Equine Education Grant.

The Equine Education Grant supports our retired racehorses by:
💙 Promoting responsible ownership – encouraging hands-on involvement in your horse’s post-racing life with the training and care they deserve.
💙 Enhancing future prospects – education and retraining improve each horse’s chance of finding a meaningful new career and loving home.
💙 Supporting the equine community – strengthening the connection between owners, trainers and Thoroughbreds during their transition to life after racing.

Don’t miss out – let’s continue giving our Thoroughbreds the bright future they deserve! 🌟
Apply today and keep the journey going!

Northern Territory Institute of Equestrian Sport Wave Equestrian Hillbillies Equestrian Centre Alice Springs Darwin Show Jumping Club Darwin Dressage Club NT Polocrosse Association Darwin Horse and Pony Club Litchfield Horse & Pony Club Alice Springs Pony Club Equestrian Northern Territory

02/12/2025

✨ Really Swish ✨

Really Swish has been kicking goals in his new life off the track! Under the care of his owner, Sara, Really Swish has just wrapped up his first season of show jumping.

During his racing career, Really Swish was trained by Chris Pollard. He had 53 starts with 3 wins and 14 placings, earning over $207,000 in prizemoney.

Really Swish started out at a jumping height of 40cm this year and has finished the season confidently jumping 80cm, even landing 2nd place on the DSJC - TRNT Off The Track leaderboard.

It’s always great to see our retired Thoroughbreds enjoying their next chapter and giving everything a go. Huge congratulations to Sara and Really Swish — can’t wait to see what you both achieve next! 💙🐎

📸 Show Horse Photos by Mandy

30/11/2025

As part of National Thoroughbred Week, a group of NTIES riders visited the Darwin Turf Club for a behind-the-scenes look at a morning of track work.

A big thank you to Nicole for organising this 🙌, to the trainers and track supervisor for generously sharing their knowledge, and to all the riders who came along to learn more about the racing industry.

27/11/2025

✨ Education Grant – Third Round Now Open! ✨

Great news, Thoroughbred owners – the TRNT Off The Track Education Grant has officially re-opened for a THIRD round! 🐎🙌

Already applied before? You can now reapply and claim another $250 to support your horse’s training and development. This is your chance to keep the momentum going and further your retraining journey!

💌 To apply, please email: [email protected] to organise your next Equine Education Grant.

The Equine Education Grant supports our retired racehorses by:
💙 Promoting responsible ownership – encouraging hands-on involvement in your horse’s post-racing life with the training and care they deserve.
💙 Enhancing future prospects – education and retraining improve each horse’s chance of finding a meaningful new career and loving home.
💙 Supporting the equine community – strengthening the connection between owners, trainers and Thoroughbreds during their transition to life after racing.

Don’t miss out – let’s continue giving our Thoroughbreds the bright future they deserve! 🌟
Apply today and keep the journey going!

Northern Territory Institute of Equestrian Sport Wave Equestrian Hillbillies Equestrian Centre Alice Springs Darwin Show Jumping Club Darwin Dressage Club NT Polocrosse Association Darwin Horse and Pony Club Litchfield Horse & Pony Club Alice Springs Pony Club Equestrian Northern Territory

26/11/2025

✨ National Thoroughbred Week Wrap-Up: Alice Springs ✨

What a fantastic day at the Alice Springs Turf Club! A group of local kids had the opportunity to meet two retired Thoroughbreds from RDA Alice Springs, showcasing just how much these horses can offer long after their racing careers.

The stars of the day were Preemptive, a 12-year-old gelding with 73 starts and over $170k in earnings (formerly trained by Scott Westover), and Centre Consul, a 16-year-old mare retired from racing after her maiden career (formerly trained by Russell Bell). Both were calm, gentle, and happy to meet their new fans!

A huge thank you to RDA Alice Springs for their support and the incredible work they do in the community — events like this wouldn’t be possible without them💙

📸 Nikki Westover Photography

National Thoroughbred Week

21/11/2025

Come say hi to two beloved Thoroughbreds from the RDA - Zola and Joey - the pair will be making a special visit to the Alice Springs Turf Club tomorrow😍

This weekend we’re proud to welcome the RDA Alice Springs to the Alice Springs Turf Club as part of National Thoroughbred Week— a celebration of purpose, possibility, and the incredible second careers of off-the-track Thoroughbreds.
Come and meet two of the stars making a real difference in our community:
Zola (formerly Centre Consul)
At 16, Zola has worn many hats — dressage, show jumping, trail riding — and now she shines in her most meaningful role yet. Calm, steady and endlessly patient, she supports riders of all abilities with confidence and kindness. Her racing career was short, but her impact beyond the track is huge.
Joey (formerly Pre-emptive)
Once a cheeky racehorse with 73 starts and more than $171,000 in earnings, Joey has transformed into a true gentleman. Since retiring in 2020, he’s embraced dressage, jumping and mounted games — and now brings that talent and heart to RDA sessions, helping riders grow, learn and thrive.
Events like this remind us what makes the Turf Club so special — community connection, purpose, and the power of horses to bring people together.
If you’re at the track this weekend, keep an eye out for these two incredible Thoroughbreds who continue to inspire long after their racing days are done.