OFF-THE-TRACK TRAINING PASSPORT
NSW 12-18-Month Pilot - Executive Summary
Zero Investment, Substantial Profit, National Leadership
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Racing New South Wales has an unprecedented opportunity to lead Australia in racehorse welfare while generating substantial revenue at zero cost.
This proposal presents a 12-18-month pilot program for an OTT Training Passport that provides lifetime support for off-track horses. The pilot demonstrates proof-of-concept for Racing Australia's national adoption, positioning New South Wales as the pioneering state while earning $1.29-1.36 million in profit with no capital investment required.
The Value Proposition for Racing New South Wales
ZERO RISK, SUBSTANTIAL RETURN:
- You invest NOTHING—no capital, no staff, no development costs
- You collect ~$3.28 in passport fees during a 12-18-month pilot
- You pay Dr Fenner 65% of revenue, keep 35% as profit
- You position New South Wales as Australia's welfare innovation leader
- Platform and content already built—ready to launch April 2026
- After pilot success, we approach Racing Australia for national adoption
- Racing New South Wales maintains a leadership role in the national program
THE RACING INDUSTRY'S WELFARE CRISIS
Racing faces mounting public criticism and social license threats:
- 13,300-15,550 foals registered annually by Racing Australia (TB + SB)
- 34% NEVER RACE—3,500-4,000 horses/year bred by racing, abandoned by racing
- These horses receive little or no support despite being registered as industry horses
- Horses that do race typically race 2-3 years, then live 20-30 years
- Current programs reach only 20-30% of horses, and last just 6-12 months
- Horses change hands 3-4 times post-racing with no continuity of support
Public criticism: "Racing breeds too many horses, then abandons the unprofitable ones."
This criticism is difficult to defend. The ABC exposés, RSPCA statements, and community pressure threaten the industry's viability.
Racing needs a comprehensive solution. New South Wales can lead it.
THE SOLUTION: OTT TRAINING PASSPORT
A digital training passport providing lifetime support for every horse racing name:
How It Works
- Attaches at FOAL REGISTRATION (Australian Stud Book) - covers horses that never race AND those that do
- Linked to the horse's microchip number—belongs to the horse, not the owner
- Transfers automatically through unlimited ownership changes over a 20-30 year lifespan
- Provides lifetime access to training modules, weekly expert sessions, and a supportive community
- Evidence-based methodology (developed using the International Society for Equitation Science training principles)
- Self-funding through a one-time fee at foal registration
"If you're in our studbook, racing supports you - for life"
What Horse Owners Receive (Lifetime)
- Comprehensive video training modules: foundations through advanced disciplines
- Weekly live Q&A sessions with Dr Kate Fenner and certified regional trainers
- Video analysis and personalised feedback on the owner's horses
- Supportive community of OTT horse owners (including virtual shows and comptetitions)
- Breed-specific content (Thoroughbred and Standardbred)
- Crisis support when welfare concerns arise
- Access continues automatically when the horse is sold or rehomed - forever
WHY RACING NSW PILOTS FIRST
This pilot is strategically designed to prove the concept for national adoption by Racing Australia. Here's why New South Wales should lead:
ZERO FINANCIAL RISK: You invest nothing. You collect fees, pay Dr Fenner from revenue, and keep a substantial profit.
IMMEDIATE REVENUE: $3.28M collected during 12 months. You keep $1.15M as pure profit.
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP POSITIONING: NSW becomes "the state that solved racing's welfare crisis." National and international recognition.
FASTER DECISION-MAKING: State-level approval faster than the Racing Australia national process. New South Wales moves first.
PLATFORM READY TO GO: No development phase needed. Platform and content already exist. Will launch in April 2026.
PROOF FOR RACING AUSTRALIA: Pilot generates compelling data for national adoption. NSW's success becomes Racing Australia's blueprint.
NSW RETAINS LEADERSHIP: When the program goes national, NSW remains the centre of expertise and innovation.
12-MONTH PILOT STRUCTURE
The pilot runs for 12 months from early 2026, with two enrollment streams that together prove both market demand and long-term sustainability:
ENROLLMENT STREAM 1: National Amnesty (Immediate Proof)
WHO: Any retired Thoroughbred or Standardbred in Australia, regardless of where bred/raced
WHY NATIONAL: Post-racing horses move states frequently - impossible to track origin. Dr Fenner has national OTT contacts and can help drive substantial enrollment.
FEE: $197 one-time enrollment during 12-month pilot
EXPECTED ENROLLMENT: 1,000-2,000 horses
REVENUE: $197,000-$394,000
PURPOSE: These horses USE the system immediately. They generate testimonials, success stories, and welfare outcome data. They prove the concept works.
MARKETING BENEFIT: "Racing NSW: Supporting All Australian OTT Horses" - national leadership positioning from day one.
ENROLLMENT STREAM 2: Compulsory NSW (Revenue Proof)
WHO: All foals registered in NSW from the pilot launch date
FEE: $997 attached to foal registration (compulsory)
EXPECTED ENROLLMENT: ~3,280 horses during 12-month pilot
REVENUE: $3.28M
PURPOSE: Demonstrates compulsory model works. Builds immediate revenue. Shows financial sustainability. These horses will not retire for 3-6 years, but their enrollment proves a long-term funding model.
12-MONTH PILOT FINANCIAL MODEL
REVENUE
- Amnesty enrollment (national) $197,000-$394,000
- Compulsory enrollment (NSW) $3,280,000
- TOTAL REVENUE $3,477,000-$3,674,000
DISTRIBUTION
- Fenner (65%) $2,260,050-$2,388,100
- Racing Queensland (35%) $1,216,950-$1,285,900
What Dr Fenner Delivers for 65%:
- Platform access (already developed and operational)
- 50+ training modules (existing content customised for NSW)
- 52 weekly live sessions (Q&A, video analysis, expert guidance)
- Community management (forums, moderation, virtual competitions, support)
- Regional leader recruitment and training (4-6 NSW-based trainers/instructors)
- Crisis support protocols and welfare intervention when needed
- Comprehensive data collection and analysis
- Final evaluation report with recommendations for Racing Australia
What Racing NSW Gets for 35%:
- $1,216,950-$1,285,900 pure profit (no capital investment, no development costs)
- National welfare leadership positioning
- Comprehensive welfare data on pilot participants
- Proof-of-concept for Racing Australia adoption
- Marketing and PR value: "NSW leads Australia in horse welfare"
- Ongoing system if national adoption proceeds (NSW remains the leadership state)
IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
|
Phase |
Activities |
|
Month 1-2: |
Finalise partnership agreement |
|
Month 3-9: |
Weekly live sessions continue (52 total over 12 months) |
|
Month 10-11: |
Comprehensive data analysis |
|
Month 12: |
Final evaluation report to Racing NSW |
PATHWAY TO RACING AUSTRALIA NATIONAL ADOPTION
This pilot is explicitly designed as proof-of-concept for Racing Australia. After 12 months with compelling data:
The Racing Australia Pitch (Month 12-18):
Dr Fenner and Racing NSW present together to Racing Australia:
"Racing NSW piloted the OTT Training Passport for 12 months with 1,500-2,000 horses. Here's what we learned:
- Welfare outcomes improved measurably
- Owners highly satisfied (testimonials and data)
- Compulsory enrollment at foal registration works smoothly
- The system is self-funding with a substantial surplus
- NSW is ready to continue; we're offering Racing Australia national adoption
The New South Wales pilot proves this works. Are you ready to lead Australia?"
If Racing Australia Adopts Nationally:
The program scales to all Australian states, with NSW as the founding and leadership state:
- Approximately 15,500 Thoroughbred and Standardbred foals are registered nationally per year
- Annual revenue at $997 per horse: $15.5 million
- 5-year build-to-transfer plan (as per full Racing Australia proposal)
- Fenner compensated for the national scale (5-year agreement)
- Racing Australia owns all IP after Year 5
- NSW maintains a leadership role as the state that proved the concept
- 15-20 regional leaders certified nationally (including original NSW leaders)
The NSW pilot becomes the foundation. New South Wales' 12-10-month investment becomes the launch point for national transformation.
SUCCESS METRICS FOR PILOT EVALUATION
The 12-month pilot collects comprehensive data for the Racing Australia presentation:
|
Category |
Specific Metrics |
|
Welfare Outcomes |
Horse behavioural scores (E-BARQ) |
|
Engagement |
Active user rates (% of enrolled horses with engaged owners) |
|
Financial |
Enrollment numbers (amnesty vs. compulsory) |
The final evaluation report provides Racing Australia with a robust, evidence-based case for national adoption.
WHY THIS WORKS FOR EVERYONE
For Racing NSW:
- Zero financial risk - you invest nothing
- Substantial profit - $1.22-1.29M for doing virtually nothing
- National leadership positioning that enhances NSW racing's reputation
- Valuable welfare data and insights
- Option to continue if Racing Australia doesn't adopt (unlikely)
- If Racing Australia adopts, you remain the leadership state
For Dr Kate Fenner:
- Fair compensation for 12-month pilot ($2.26-2.39M)
- Platform to demonstrate methodology at scale
- Data and testimonials to support the Racing Australia pitch
- IP ownership protected during pilot (only transfers after Racing Australia deal)
- Pathway to substantial national compensation (5-year Racing Australia agreement)
- Legacy project: evidence-based welfare becomes Australian racing standard
For Racing Australia:
- De-risked proposal - NSW pilot proves it works
- Compelling data from real-world implementation
- Pathway to address the social license crisis with a proven solution
- Self-funding model with substantial surplus
- Opportunity to lead globally in racehorse welfare
- The system is ready to scale nationally
For OTT Horses and Their Owners:
- Lifetime support that follows horses through ownership changes
- Evidence-based training guidance from leading experts
- Supportive community of fellow OTT owners
- Crisis support when needed
- Improved welfare outcomes and quality of life
- Genuine whole-of-life care from the industry that produced them
ABOUT DR. KATE FENNER
Dr Kate Fenner brings exceptional qualifications and a proven platform ready for immediate launch:
- Honorary President, International Society for Equitation Science (ISES): Global leadership in evidence-based horse training and welfare; International scientific credibility
- Board Member, Pony Club Australia: Youth equestrian education, welfare, and safety expertise
- PhD (Horse Behaviour & Training), University of Sydney: Academic rigour in learning theory and training methodology
- 27+ years specialising in OTT Thoroughbred and Standardbred retraining: Deep expertise in racehorse-specific challenges and solutions
- Published researcher on racehorse welfare and retraining outcomes: Evidence-based approach backed by peer-reviewed research
- Founder, Kandoo Equine: 1,000+ active members on existing platform; Proven online training delivery model; Platform operational and ready to scale; Content library already developed
- John & Josh Lyons Certified Trainer: Professional training credentials
CRITICAL ADVANTAGE: Platform and content already exist. No development phase needed. Can launch early 2026.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Kandoo GOLD members who have retrained off-track horses using Dr Fenner's evidence-based methodology:
Professional Trainer, Standardbred Specialist:
"I used this method on a 4-year-old OTT Standardbred gelding. I like the methods because they teach the horse a new way of being and allow them to learn how to move their body without the burden of a rider. With long-reining, the trainer can observe the horse's frame and make gentle, consistent corrections. This training method makes the transition straightforward with clear communication without any surprises."
OTT Mare Owner, Thoroughbred:
"Standing still for mounting (Kandoo's 'Hips to the Fence' lesson) was a game-changer right from the beginning. My OTT mare was used to being mounted 'on the move' - as a result, she learned to stand calmly, making mounting much safer. The Kandoo method of long reining and short reining helped her learn to bend laterally through her body before having a novice rider on board. This was also a great way to assess whether the horse was ready to ride or needed more groundwork."
Adopter of 8-Year-Old OTT Gelding:
"My horse, Beau, had osteoarthritis joints and some behaviours such as trying to bite humans and a fearful disposition. The groundwork on giving to the bit and shoulder control has been a blessing for him. He is now safe to be around. Due to the research-driven wisdom and the program, I can keep Beau. I let all my horse friends know of her program."
5-Year Kandoo GOLD Member:
"Kate is always so approachable, and her sensible approach makes her relatable to everyone - you never feel awkward asking a question. Kate's step-by-step guide is easy to follow and makes perfect sense, which gives clarity. This is such a benefit to educating OTT horses who have experienced such a different and sometimes frenetic training regime. The benefits of measuring their emotional level to help educate are imperative - I have found that some of my OTTs just zone out and become robotic. Increasing their emotional level and then giving them the chance to self-regulate and learn has been a game-changer for my horses and me. It never dates, and it's comforting to know I can always reach out if I hit a stumbling block."
RECOMMENDATION AND NEXT STEPS
Racing NSW has an extraordinary opportunity with zero downside:
INVEST NOTHING. LEAD AUSTRALIA.
This pilot:
- Tests at no cost to Racing NSW
- Generates substantial profit immediately
- Positions NSW as a national welfare innovator
- Proves concept for Racing Australia adoption
- Creates a pathway to a national program where NSW remains the leadership state
The racing industry faces a social license crisis. Public criticism intensifies. Regulatory pressure mounts.
New South Wales can lead the solution - and profit from doing so, making money available for other, more hands-on programs already in existence.
Proposed Next Steps:
- Racing NSW reviews this executive summary
- Schedule a meeting with Dr Kate Fenner (15-20 minutes)
- Review the full proposal and partnership agreement terms
- Internal approval for 12-month pilot (emphasise zero capital investment)
- Finalise partnership agreement (revenue split, IP ownership, Racing Australia pathway)
- Launch early 2026 (April)
- Month 12-18: Approach Racing Australia together with pilot data
- Month 18: Complete pilot evaluation and determine next phase
This is Racing NSW's opportunity to lead Australia in racehorse welfare while generating substantial revenue. The platform is ready. The methodology is proven. The timing is perfect.