Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
This week marks the official public launch of National Thoroughbred Week, a joint Australia and New Zealand initiative inviting the public to step inside stables, studs, and retraining centres from November 20–24 2025.
Timed strategically for the week following the G1 Melbourne Cup, the initiative seeks to harness public interest in racing while addressing the scrutiny and misinformation that often accompany spring racing.
More than 70 venues are already confirmed, with events taking place in every state in Australia and across key Thoroughbred regions in New Zealand. A national public campaign will now ramp up through October and Cup Week, urging people to register for a free visit to see Thoroughbreds up close, meet the people who care for them, and ask any questions.
Inspired by successful models like National Racehorse Week in England and Open Farms in New Zealand, this is the first coordinated week of open-gate events for the Thoroughbred industry in Australia and New Zealand. The 2025 pilot will be run jointly across both countries, with the long-term goal of establishing it as an annual public event on the international racing calendar.
It’s time to invite them in
National Thoroughbred Week has been developed by a volunteer steering committee comprising representatives from both sides of the Tasman. NTW co-founder and Kick Up director Vicky Leonard said the event represents a shift from reactive defence to proactive engagement.
“Every year during spring racing, the conversation inevitably turns to negative assumptions about welfare, and most often it’s shaped by people who’ve never been inside a stable,” Leonard said.
Vicky Leonard | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“This year, instead of arguing online, we want to invite people in. When someone says, ‘horse racing is cruel,’ our response can be: Have you ever actually been to a training stable or stud farm? If not, here’s your chance - everyone is invited.”
“As an industry, we have a great deal to be proud of - the care, the professionalism, and the people behind it. National Thoroughbred Week is our chance to show that pride to the public, and it aligns perfectly with Kick Up’s mission to give racing its voice back.”
“As an industry, we have a great deal to be proud of - the care, the professionalism, and the people behind it. National Thoroughbred Week is our chance to show that pride to the public.” - Vicky Leonard
The event has been embraced by the likes of Gai Waterhouse and Silverdale Farm’s Steve Grant, both of whom will throw open their doors for visitors in November.
“Everyone will be able to enjoy it,” Waterhouse said. “People can step into our world and be able to touch the horse, see how they're bedded, see how they live, and see how the young and old care for these wonderful equines.”
Gai Waterhouse | Image courtesy of Victoria Racing Club
“The moment people walk in, they realise it’s not what they imagined,” Grant said. “They see the facilities, the way the horses live, the care they get - and it changes their view.”
“The moment people walk in (to a stud farm), they realise it’s not what they imagined.” - Steve Grant
Leonard said the event was designed as a national demonstration of transparency and unity.
“This is a practical, coordinated way to show what really happens behind the scenes - the hours, the care, the teamwork that most people never get to see,” she said.
Steve Grant | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
‘Bring five mates’: a call for industry-wide participation
The campaign’s success, Leonard said, will depend on participation from across the racing and breeding community.
“We’re asking everyone in the industry to bring five mates who’ve never been behind the scenes before - friends, colleagues, family members - anyone who only knows horse racing from television or social media,” she said.
“If every person working in the industry brings five newcomers through the gates, the ripple effect will be extraordinary. It’s a simple concept, but it’s how we’ll reach thousands of Australians and New Zealanders who’ve never seen the reality for themselves.”
“If every person working in the industry brings five newcomers through the gates, the ripple effect will be extraordinary.” - Vicky Leonard
Industry participants are also encouraged to volunteer at local events or support the initiative financially. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help cover signage, marketing, visitor resources, insurance, and logistics.
“This week will only succeed if everyone plays a part,” Leonard said. “Whether you’re a bloodstock agent, a stud hand, a trackwork rider, a vet, or an owner, there’s a role for you. Volunteering at your local event is one of the most powerful ways to help people see the care and dedication that define our industry.
“Volunteering at your local event is one of the most powerful ways to help people see the care and dedication that define our industry.” - Vicky Leonard
“National Thoroughbred Week is a team effort. We need people from every corner of the industry to get behind it and welcome visitors, guide them through the tours, and explain what really goes on each day. Every volunteer helps shift a perception.”
As well as inviting the public in, industry participants can also volunteer at a nearby open day or tour or donate to the GoFundMe campaign to spread National Thoroughbred Week’s message further.
It’s not too late to get involved
While enthusiasm is high, organisers say there’s still work to do to make National Thoroughbred Week truly national in scope.
New South Wales and New Zealand have led the charge, with dozens of confirmed hosts ranging from major studs and training centres to aftercare programs and equestrian properties. Their early support, Leonard said, shows what can happen when the industry unites around transparency.
There are already more than 20 venues across all aspects of Thoroughbred life confirmed for New South Wales, including Chris Waller Racing, Annabel and Rob Archibald’s Scone satellite stable, Kia Ora Stud, Bong Bong Picnic Race Club, and aftercare program HorseAid.
Visitors in New Zealand will be welcomed through the gates of places like Cambridge Stud and Matamata Racing Club, and the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust will be participating in several host events, giving visitors the chance to step inside a purpose-built horse ambulance.
“The response in New South Wales and New Zealand has been outstanding - it shows the strength of what we can achieve when the industry comes together,” Leonard said.
“Some regions, like Western Australia and Tasmania, have only a single host or two, but there’s still time to change that. Every stable, every farm, every retrainer has a role to play in helping people understand the care that goes into our horses.”
“Every stable, every farm, every retrainer has a role to play in helping people understand the care that goes into our horses.” - Vicky Leonard
Leonard emphasised that hosting doesn’t require scale or polish.
“We know horse racing should be more transparent,” she said. “This is the moment to do it. You don’t need a perfectly landscaped property or polished signage - just be willing to show up and show people what you do. Who knows, every chance you may find an interested future breeder or owner who turns up at your visits.”
With registration still open, organisers are encouraging more farms, trainers, retrainers, and racing clubs to join the program in the coming weeks.
“Even if it’s just a few hours, even if it’s small - every open gate counts,” Leonard said. “That’s how we show the public what really goes on behind the scenes.”
