Cover image courtesy of National Thoroughbred Week
Nearly 90 hosts across Australia and New Zealand opened their doors for the inaugural National Thoroughbred’s Week in 2025, several concluding with events on Monday, as visitor numbers exceeded expectations at many venues.
Major trainers like Chris Waller, Ciaron Maher, and Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott opened their doors to the public with events fully booked. Educational facility Thenford Farm was popular with an education demonstration for those wondering how a horse gets started in their riding journey.
Across Queensland, many race clubs opened their doors and showed the public the work that happens behind the scenes. In New Zealand, 23 events were held from north to south.
The final events are taking place on Monday.
More than twice the expected numbers
Located just outside Albury/Wodonga, JW Equestrian is a riding school that retrains and rehomes Thoroughbreds.
“We had 1089 people. It was absolutely massive, absolutely insane,” JW Equestrian CEO Jade Willis said.
“We thought how good would it be if we could get to 400. I have an amazing team and had extra people on to help, and we just got it done and made it happen.
“We are really lucky that our property is really big and we had everything spaced out with lots of different activities and lots of things happening. It worked really well. Everyone got fed, everyone looked at all the horses, there were lots of things to do.
“We did rides with ponies and Thoroughbreds that we use in our riding school. It was super. For people to come out and pat all our Thoroughbreds, and ride them, and have a chat.
“All my crew know all the horses, and they could say, this horse won this much, and this horse was a bad racehorse and now he does this, and that’s what made the day really special.”
Jade Willis | Image courtesy of TB Care & Welfare
Liam Howley Racing's practical demonstration
A track gallop by Station One (Toronado {Ire}) was the highlight of the event at Liam Howley Racing.
“We had 120 people in total on track which was great. We had Station One, who is heading towards the Traralgon Cup, who did his last piece of fast work and everyone got to witness that,” said Mike Callinan at Liam Howley Racing.
The Traralgon Cup runs on Sunday, November 30.
“And then, you’ve probably seen on the socials, that people were able to walk on the course proper back to our stables and see what a day in the life at the stables looks like. Everyone had a great time, we fed them up, and luckily the rain held off.
“I woke up this morning at 3 o’clock with the rain pouring on the roof and thought, oh no, but luckily it cleared and we got through unscathed. We’d put some planning and preparation in and the full Liam Howley team were on track to help with horses and navigate things and answer questions.
“It was great to see lots of families there, parents with young kids, and kids got to pat horses. It was a really successful day.
“To be part of the first National Thoroughbred Week here in Australia, we are excited by what opportunities it holds for us moving forward and we are looking forward to next year.”
Godolphin’s Woodlands Stud a picture of beauty
One of the most beautiful farms in the Hunter Valley, Godolphin’s Woodlands Stud hosted over 250 people at their National Thoroughbred Week event.
“It was a fantastic day, a bit of rain to start. We are delighted at Godolphin to be hosting an event (for National Thoroughbred Week) at Woodlands,” John Sunderland said.
“There was great attendance. It was a bacon and egg roll and a coffee sort of morning. We had various areas showing what we do on the stud farm, from mares and foals, to some retired stallions and some retired Off The Track horses too.
“Lifetime Care is an important part of what we all do in the Thoroughbred industry and at Godolphin we take that very seriously.
“We were able to display what we do on a day-to-day basis with some education and some stuff for the kids too. We are very fortunate to have such a beautiful farm here at Woodlands and it was great to share that with everyone this morning.
“I’d like to make a special mention to our staff who came in and talked to the public, explaining what we do in the Thoroughbred industry. I think that was well received and especially thanks to all the farm and garden crew who worked hard to prepare the farm for today’s visit.”
Widdup Racing showcases an ordinary day of work
Brad Widdup, one of NSW’s up and coming trainers, held a morning event to highlight trackwork at Hawkesbury and how the stable routine works.
“Anytime we can publicise the stable is great,” Brad Widdup said.
“We had a morning event, from seven till 10, and that way people got to see a little bit of what happens in the stables. A basic morning of work to show off the running of the stables.
“I’m positive towards it - the week will gain a fair bit of traction.”
Brad Widdup | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
