OFF-THE-TRACK TRAINING PASSPORT
National Implementation Proposal - Executive Summary
Zero Investment, Substantial Profit, National Leadership
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Racing Australia has an unprecedented opportunity to lead Australia in racehorse welfare while generating substantial revenue at zero cost.
This proposal presents a national OTT Training Passport that provides lifetime support for every horse racing names. The system is self-funding, generates $13-14.5 million annually once fully implemented, and positions Australia as the global leader in racehorse welfare innovation.
The Value Proposition for Racing Australia
ZERO RISK, SUBSTANTIAL RETURN:
- You invest NOTHING—no capital, no staff, no development costs
- Annual ongoing revenue of $13.26-14.50 million once fully implemented
- You pay Dr Fenner 65% of revenue, keep 35% as ongoing profit ($4.64-5.08M annually) during implementation
- You position Australia as the world's welfare innovation leader
- Platform and content already built - ready to launch early 2026
- Addresses social license crisis with a comprehensive, measurable solution
- Self-funding model that supports every registered horse for life
THE RACING INDUSTRY'S WELFARE CRISIS
Racing faces mounting public criticism and social license threats:
- Approximately 15,550 foals are registered annually by Racing Australia (TB + SB)
- More than 34% NEVER RACE - 5,000+ horses/year bred by racing, abandoned by racing
- These horses receive little or no support despite being named 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 accurate. ABC exposés, RSPCA statements, and community pressure threaten the industry's viability.
Racing needs a comprehensive solution. Racing Australia 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 racing registers you, 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 (15-20 nationally)
- Video analysis and personalised feedback on the owner's horses
- Supportive community of OTT horse owners
- 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 AUSTRALIA SHOULD LEAD
This is Racing Australia's opportunity to solve the welfare crisis comprehensively:
ADDRESSES SOCIAL LICENSE CRISIS: Comprehensive whole-of-life solution that directly addresses public criticism. Measurable welfare outcomes demonstrate industry commitment.
ZERO FINANCIAL RISK: You invest nothing. You collect fees, pay Dr Fenner from revenue, and keep a substantial ongoing profit.
SUBSTANTIAL ONGOING REVENUE: $13.26-14.50M annually once implemented. Racing Australia keeps $4.64-$5.08M in pure profit during implementation and then owns the system.
CAPTURES ALL REGISTERED HORSES: Including the 34%+ that never race, finally supporting horses that usually slip through the net.
PLATFORM READY TO GO: No development phase needed. Platform and content already exist. Can launch early 2026.
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP: Australia becomes the world leader in racehorse welfare innovation - international recognition and credibility.
MEASURABLE OUTCOMES: Comprehensive data collection demonstrates effectiveness and provides ongoing insights into welfare.
NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION STRUCTURE
Implementation includes two enrollment streams that work together:
STREAM 1: National Amnesty Program (First 12-18 Months)
WHO: Any retired Thoroughbred or Standardbred in Australia, regardless of when/where bred or raced
FEE: $197 one-time enrollment during the amnesty period
EXPECTED ENROLLMENT: 2,000-4,000 horses (based on Dr Fenner's national reach and existing OTT contacts)
REVENUE: $394,000-$788,000
PURPOSE: These horses generate immediate testimonials, success stories, and welfare outcome data while you implement the compulsory system.
MARKETING BENEFIT: Demonstrates Racing Australia's commitment to ALL OTT horses, not just the lucky few.
STREAM 2: Compulsory at Foal Registration (Ongoing)
WHO: All Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds at foal registration (Australian Stud Book)
FEE: $997 attached to foal registration and microchip number (compulsory)
ANNUAL ENROLLMENT: 13,300-14,550 horses
ANNUAL ONGOING REVENUE: $13,260,100-$14,505,350
PURPOSE: Provides a sustainable funding model. Ensures every registered horse receives lifetime support. Creates a comprehensive welfare system.
FINANCIAL MODEL
First Year (with Amnesty):
- Amnesty enrollment: $394,000-$788,000
- Compulsory enrollment (Year 1): $13,260,100-$14,505,350
- TOTAL YEAR 1 REVENUE: $13,654,100-$15,293,350
- Distribution:
- Dr Fenner (65%): $8,875,165-$9,940,678
- Racing Australia (35%): $4,778,935-$5,352,673
Ongoing Annual Revenue (Years 2+):
- Compulsory enrollment: $13,260,100-$14,505,350
- Distribution:
- Dr. Fenner (65%): $8,619,065-$9,428,478
- Racing Australia (35%): $4,641,035-$5,076,873
What Dr Fenner Delivers for 65%:
- Platform access (already developed and operational)
- 250+ training modules (existing content customised for Australian racing)
- 52 weekly live sessions annually (Q&A, video analysis, expert guidance)
- Community management (forums, moderation, crisis support)
- Regional leader recruitment, training, and management (15-20 nationally across all states)
- Crisis support protocols and welfare intervention
- Comprehensive data collection and analysis
- Annual evaluation reports with welfare outcome data
- Ongoing platform maintenance and content updates
What Racing Australia Gets for 35%:
- $4.64-5.08M annual ongoing profit (no capital investment, no development costs)
- Global welfare leadership positioning
- Comprehensive welfare data on all enrolled horses
- Measurable response to social license concerns
- Marketing and PR value: "Australia leads the world in horse welfare"
- IP ownership transfers to Racing Australia after 5 years (per complete agreement)
IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
|
Phase |
Activities |
|
Month 1-3: |
Finalise partnership agreement |
|
Month 4-12: |
Weekly live sessions (52 annually) |
|
Year 2: |
Full national operation with all regional leaders active |
|
Years 3-5: |
Continued national operation |
|
Year 5: |
IP ownership transfers to Racing Australia |
SUCCESS METRICS
Comprehensive data collection to measure program effectiveness:
|
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) |
Annual evaluation reports provide Racing Australia with robust evidence of program effectiveness and welfare improvements.
WHY THIS WORKS FOR EVERYONE
For Racing Australia:
- Zero financial risk - you invest nothing
- Substantial ongoing profit - $4.64-5.08M annually
- Global leadership positioning that strengthens Australia's racing reputation
- Comprehensive response to social license crisis
- Measurable welfare outcomes to demonstrate industry commitment
- IP ownership after 5 years—a long-term asset for the industry
- Self-funding model that generates surplus for other welfare programs
For Dr Kate Fenner:
- Fair compensation for national-scale delivery ($8.6-9.4M annually)
- Platform to demonstrate evidence-based methodology at scale
- Data to support global welfare research
- Legacy project: evidence-based welfare becomes Australian racing standard
- 5-year commitment to build a comprehensive national system
- Opportunity to train the next generation of evidence-based trainers nationally
For State Racing Bodies:
- Nationally consistent welfare approach and traceability across all states
- Access to welfare data for horses in their state
- Regional leaders provide local expertise and support
- Enhanced reputation through participation in a national program
- No additional costs - fully funded by the national system
For OTT Horses and Their Owners:
- Lifetime support that follows horses through ownership changes
- Evidence-based training guidance from leading experts
- Access to regional trainers in their area
- Supportive national 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, horse welfare and safety expertise
- PhD (Horse Behaviour & Training), University of Sydney: Academic rigour in learning theory and training methodology
- 27+ years global experience 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 see 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 Australia has an extraordinary opportunity with zero downside:
INVEST NOTHING. EARN $4.64-5.08M ANNUALLY. LEAD THE WORLD.
This national program:
- Requires no capital investment from Racing Australia
- Generates substantial ongoing revenue immediately
- Positions Australia as a global welfare innovation leader
- Addresses the social license crisis comprehensively
- Provides measurable welfare outcomes
- Supports every registered horse for life
- Creates sustainable funding for continuing welfare improvements
The racing industry faces a social license crisis. Public criticism intensifies. Regulatory pressure mounts.
Racing Australia can lead the solution nationally and internationally—generating substantial revenue while demonstrating genuine, comprehensive welfare commitment.
Proposed Next Steps:
- Racing Australia reviews this executive summary
- Schedule a meeting with Dr Kate Fenner (30 minutes)
- Review the full proposal and partnership agreement terms
- Internal approval process (Board review)
- Finalise partnership agreement (revenue split, IP ownership, 5-year term)
- Integration planning with the Australian Stud Book registration system
- Launch early 2026
- Begin amnesty enrollment and compulsory system simultaneously
This is Racing Australia's opportunity to lead the world in racehorse welfare while generating substantial ongoing revenue. The platform is ready. The methodology is proven. The timing is perfect.