The majority of thoroughbreds are retrained to a variety of different disciplines from eventing to showjumping, polocrosse and even as quiet trail riding horses.

Local riding coach and showjumper Belinda Lloyd-McMahon’s most successful horse was an off the track thoroughbred (OTTB) named Barney.

She bought him when she was 13-years-old and ended up jumping grand prix classes (the highest level of showjumping in Australia at 1.50m and 1.60m) with him fi ve years later.

“Thoroughbreds are such versatile horses, they suit a lot of performances because of their adaptability,” she said.

“They have the athleticism to perform.”

Mrs Lloyd-McMahon was training racehorses in 2015 and also owns Lloyd Equestrian.

“I teach lessons on a thoroughbred who used to be one of our racehorses,” she said.

“He’s happy with a learner on his back, nothing phases him.”

When it comes to high-level eventing thoroughbreds have long been the breed of choice despite dropping off in recent years.

“In eventing, thoroughbreds have been the mainstay of the Australian eventing team since 1956,” CSU Equine Science Lecturer and equestrian coach Hunter Doughty said.

“They lost a lot of ground to purpose-bred sport horses even though they have a lot of thoroughbred in them.

“There are more and more straight thoroughbreds back at the top level.”

While they are all the same breed the size, shape and build of thoroughbreds can vary drastically from one horse to the next.

“They’re good natural athletes,” Mr Doughty said.

“There’s a bit of a misconception that they’re all frizzled in the head from racing but good race horses are good because they keep their brain and the jockey can ask them not to expend too much energy when they don’t need to.”

One of the big bonuses to retraining a racehorse is the relatively low cost.

OTTBs can be purchased cheaply in comparison to purpose bred horses.

“With horses it’s luck of the draw, just because a horse has a big price tag doesn’t mean they will do everything perfectly,” Mrs Lloyd-McMahon said.

The transition from race track to arena is supported by Racing NSW and Victoria sponsoring OTTB classes at a range of competitions.

“The thoroughbred industry is making a conscious effort to find thoroughbreds a career after they fi nish racing and promote the breed in equestrian sports,” Mr Doughty said.

The Murrumbidgee Turf Club supports OTTBs locally by sponsoring classes at local showjumping, dressage and eventing competitions.

This story is from The Daily Advertiser official Golp Cup guide which can be viewed online. Copies of the guide are available at the Daily Advertiser office at 48 Trail Street and will be available at both the Town Plate and Gold Cup.