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Race-2-Ride & Racing NSW: A Partnership for Safety and Welfare


The Strategic Alignment: Racing NSW operates on the foundational principle that all Thoroughbred horses should find a suitable new home following their racing careers. As retired racehorses transition directly from Racing NSW farms into their second careers, there is a unique opportunity to provide their new owners with the specialised, evidence-based tools they need to ensure a safe and successful partnership. 

Addressing the "Strength Gap": Most second-career horse owners, including amateur riders, riding school operators, and therapeutic equestrian centres, cannot rely on physical strength as a primary tool for handling. 

  • The Demographic Reality: Off-The-Track (OTT) horses are often affordable and accessible, but they are rarely "beginner-friendly" without specific, structured initial retraining and ongoing access to evidence-based retraining and support.
  • The Race-2-Ride Solution: Our curriculum provides non-strength-based training methods grounded in learning theory, specifically designed to bridge the education gap for everyday equestrians. 
  • Safety First: By providing riders with clear, science-based communication tools, we significantly reduce the risk of behavioural escalations and improve rider safety on the ground and in the saddle.

How the Race-2-Ride Passport Works

The Training Passport is a comprehensive digital education and support system that follows the horse throughout its post-racing life. It equips owners with an evidence-based retraining curriculum designed to safely bridge the gap between the track and a successful second career, ensuring both horse and rider have continuous access to expert guidance and foundational training resources.

  • Comprehensive Video Modules: From foundations to advanced training, accessible 24/7.
  • Live Expert Support: Weekly Q&A sessions and video analysis with Dr Kate Fenner and regional trainers.
  • Crisis Intervention: Support is available if welfare or behavioural concerns arise, ensuring the horse stays in a safe environment.
  • Lifetime Continuity: Unlike short-term retraining grants, the opportunity for evidence-based education stays with the horse for its entire life.
Founder Credentials
The program is led by Dr Kate Fenner, ensuring the highest level of professional and scientific credibility for Racing NSW's aftercare initiatives:

  • PhD in horse training and behaviour (University of Sydney).
  • Honorary President, International Society for Equitation Science (ISES).
  • Founder of Kandoo Equine, with an existing online training platform of 1,000+ active members.
 

Apply for the Racing NSW Rehoming Pilot

We are looking for dedicated riders to join the Racing NSW Rehoming Pilot. This initiative pairs you with a retired racehorse directly from a Racing NSW farm and provides full, lifetime access to the Race-2-Ride Training Passport at no cost. In exchange, you will act as a pilot program ambassador, sharing your horse's progress and providing practical case-study feedback to help us shape the future of Thoroughbred aftercare. 

Who Should Apply?

  • The Right Candidate: You are actively looking to welcome and rehome a retired racehorse directly from a Racing NSW farm. 

  • The Right Mindset: You are committed to using evidence-based, non-strength-based training methods to improve your horse’s welfare and your own safety.

  • The Commitment: You are willing to engage with the platform regularly and provide the data needed to track you and your horse's educational progress over an initial 3-to-6-month period.

Pilot Program Commitments & Milestones:

To help us track your journey, celebrate your successes, and demonstrate the positive impact of this evidence-based initiative, pilot participants agree to:

  • Initial Assessment: Complete a brief baseline survey upon enrollment to help us understand your starting point, confidence levels, and goals with your new horse.

  • Active Participation: Complete at least one training module per month for the first six months.

  • Virtual Challenge Participation (Optional but encouraged): After your first 90 days in the program, you will be eligible to enter the exclusive "90-Day Challenge". This low-pressure virtual competition allows you to submit short videos of your horse demonstrating foundational skills (such as standing calmly at the mounting block) to earn ribbons and celebrate your training milestones. 

  • Data Contribution: Provide brief quarterly updates on your horse’s progress and participate in three short surveys over the 12-month period.

  • Video Feedback (Optional but encouraged): Submit video clips for analysis to help us refine the curriculum for future riders.

Apply for the Racing NSW Rehoming Pilot

We are seeking dedicated, capable equestrians to provide the most suitable, long-term homes for retiring racehorses. Our priority is matching the right horse with the right environment and owner to ensure a safe, successful transition to a second career. If you are ready to commit to an evidence-based retraining journey and provide a supportive home, please complete the application below. 

About the Race-2-Ride Training Passport

A National Framework for Racehorse Transitioning

The Race-2-Ride curriculum is an evidence-based retraining program developed specifically for off-the-track (OTT) horses. Unlike traditional methods, this program acknowledges the OTT's unique history and utilises learning theory to create a "Blank Canvas" for a successful second career.

The Five Foundational Components

To ensure safety and welfare across all training environments, the program is governed by five core components:

  1.  The Engagement Zone: Training occurs only when the horse is relaxed and attentive.  Any sign of anxiety, such as head-raising or rushing, is a signal to return to a previous step.

  2.   The "Spot and Direction" Clarity: Lessons are simplified by moving one specific part of the horse (The Spot) in one specific direction (The Direction).

  3.  The "Perfectly-Timed" Release: Rein or other pressure is removed instantly the moment the horse offers the correct response. This clear release marks the behaviour and accelerates learning.

  4.  Signal Priming: Every signal begins with the lightest possible cue (voice or body language). We begin with a sufficient signal to motivate change and constantly work towards decreasing amounts of pressure and aim for self-carriage.

  5.  The Two-Question Test: Before progressing, trainers must answer: 1. Can I ride it? (Are the responses consistent?) and 2.  Do I want to ride it? (Is the horse relaxed?)

While the ISES 10 Principles of Training underpin all of our training, the Race-2-Ride program focuses on these 5 Foundational Components to address the unique psychological and physical needs of the transitioning racehorse.

Curriculum Structure

The program is divided into twelve progressive modules, monitored via a Traffic Light System to ensure objective progress.

Phase I: Foundation and Groundwork

  • Module 1: Welcome: Introduction to the training philosophy and safety protocols

  • Module 2: Engagement and Relaxation: Establishing the use of combined reinforcement (pressure-release-reward) 

  • Module 3: Moving the Shoulders: Precise directional control and front-end elevation

  •  Module 4: First Saddling: Systematic habituation to equipment while maintaining relaxation

Phase II: The Bridge to Ridden Work

  • Module 5: Long-Reining: Developing gait, transitions and self-carriage from the ground

  • Module 6: Short-Reining: The "Mental Ride."  Perfecting verbal cues from the shoulder to mimic ridden signals

  •  Module 7: Hips to the Fence: Teaching voluntary presentation at the mounting block, ensuring the horse stands quietly for mounting

  •  Module 8: Stops and Back-up: Re-programming the horse to yield to bit pressure for deceleration rather than leaning for balance

Phase III: Under Saddle and Beyond

  • Module 9: The First Few Rides: Transferring ground success to the saddle with a focus on relaxation and staying in the 'bubble'

  • Module 10: Hindquarter Control: Isolating the hindquarters to facilitate lateral movements and balanced canter transitions

  •  Module 11: Trailer Loading: Using shaping and habituation to create a calm and confident loading response every time

  •  Module 12: The Canter: Regulating tempo and emotional balance in high-arousal gaits

The Traffic Light System

Objective behavioural markers measure progress. A lesson is considered "confirmed" when the horse demonstrates Green Light behaviour for three consecutive sessions.

  •  🟢 Green (Proceed): The horse is in the Engagement Zone and responding to light signals. 

  •  🟡 Orange (Refine): The horse is distracted or showing mild conflict behaviours; return to a simpler step. 

  •  🔴 Red (Backtrack): The horse is over-aroused or showing conflict behaviour; immediate return to a familiar lesson.

Resources and Digital Support

To support global implementation, the program includes:

  • Race-2-Ride Mobile App: For on-site course access and video demonstrations

  • Resource Library: Detailed downloads on evidence-based training

  • Community Hub: A peer-support network for trainers and riders