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Host confirmations for National Thoroughbred Week 2026 continue to roll in, with a mix of returning favourites and fresh faces amongst 52 hosts set to open their gates to the public this November.
Running from Friday 20th to Monday 30th November, National Thoroughbred Week (NTW) gives the public a genuine, behind-the-scenes look at the people and horses behind our sport - from trackwork and stable tours to farrier demonstrations and everyday farm life.
Among the first to confirm its return is Victoria’s Liam Howley Racing, back after a standout 2025 debut that drew 120 visitors through the gates. Client Engagement Manager, Mike Callinan, said families were the highlight of the day, with visitors getting a genuine look at life on track.
Mike Callinan | Image courtesy of Mike Callinan
“We had 120 people in total on track, which was great. 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. 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,” said Callinan.
“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.” - Mike Callinan
NTW is also pleased to welcome Wild Oaks pre-training and agistment farm as a new host for 2026, bringing the program to the Western Sydney area for the first time. Wild Oaks looks forward to showcasing their work through the various conditioning steps before a horse commences its full-time training at a race track, such as water walking, slow sand work and pace work.
“National Thoroughbred Week is an exceptional opportunity for the industry to showcase and educate people on how we operate on and off the track, the careers available, our welfare practices and opportunities for off-the-track horses,” said Wild Oaks’ Julia Ritchie.
“National Thoroughbred Week is an exceptional opportunity for the industry to showcase and educate people on how we operate.” - Julia Ritchie
“We’re excited to be part of it and encourage more hosts around the country to open their doors. The more hosts that get involved, the more people have the chance to see inside our industry, and to identify all the services and care undertaken to ensure optimum animal health and condition, which is a step in the right direction for our longevity.”
Julia Ritchie | Image courtesy of Coolmore
Amongst the other currently confirmed hosts are the likes of Scone Equine Hospital, Racing Hearts, Yulong Stud, Godolphin, Gawler and Barossa Jockey Club, MyRacehorse, and Cambridge Stud.
With a focus on creating event hubs around the industry’s hot spots - such as metropolitan and regional training centres, the Southern Highlands, Goulburn Valley and the Hunter Valley - NTW is still welcoming hosts for 2026.
Whether it's an intimate vet clinic tour, public trackwork morning, a school farm visit or something in between, every event helps more people see the industry up close. Businesses interested in hosting can register via the 'Become a Host' tab on the NTW website.
Operating as a not-for-profit organisation led by a team of volunteers, NTW stems from Together for Racing International and continues to be inspired by international initiatives such as Britain's National Racehorse Week and New Zealand's Open Farms Day, with a shared goal of increasing transparency, education, and connection between the Thoroughbred industry and the wider community.
To stay up to date, follow National Thoroughbred Week on social media at @nationaltbweek.
