Cover image supplied
Without A Fight knows his way around a major spring carnival. This weekend, however, there will be no Flemington straight, no jockey and considerably fewer people studying his closing sectionals.
The 2023 Melbourne and Caulfield Cups winner is among the retired racehorses heading to Boneo Park for Racing Victoria’s Off The Track Carnival, where all 500 competition places were claimed within hours of entries opening.
His appearance provides a fitting beginning for Life After Racing, TTR’s new monthly look at where Thoroughbreds go and what they do when their racing careers end.
Some will return to competition in a different saddle. Others become schoolmasters, companions, babysitters or broodmares. Some, like former country galloper Tobacco Road, earn the right to do very little at all.
This month, a Cup winner begins a different campaign, three Newcastle combinations prepare for Equimillion, a blue-blooded gelding supervises the next generation—and Tobacco Road celebrates his 30th birthday after two decades with the owner who calls him the only horse she will ever own.
Melbourne Cup winner bound for a different Carnival
G1 Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) will compete at this weekend’s Racing Victoria Off The Track Carnival at Boneo Park.
“The Racing Victoria Off The Track Carnival is a celebration of everything that makes the thoroughbred such a remarkable athlete,” Racing Victoria General Manager – Equine Welfare Melissa Ware told racing.com.
“With competitors travelling from across Australia and horses with racing backgrounds from around the world, the Carnival showcases the versatility and adaptability of the thoroughbred in a truly unique way.
“To see all 500 competition spaces taken within hours of entries opening demonstrates not only the affordability and popularity of the Carnival, but also the continued growth of the Off The Track community and the strong relationship that exists between the racing and equestrian sectors.
“It's incredibly encouraging to see so many people embracing thoroughbreds in their second careers, and we cannot wait to experience the electric atmosphere across the three days.”
The Carnival begins with Dressage on Friday, followed by Combined Training on Saturday and Show Horse, Show Jumping, VRC Fashions on the Field and the MRC Foundation Celebrity Show Jumping Challenge on Sunday.
Three decades of Tobacco Road
Country galloper Tobacco Road (Jan Murray {USA}) celebrated his 30th birthday on August 29, having spent the last two decades in the care of his dedicated owner Maree Phipps.
"Tobacco Road aka Toffee turns 30 today. Raced in Casino, Lismore and Ballina in the early 2000s. I have owned Toffee for 20 years and am so happy to have him here to celebrate such a big milestone. Still has all his teeth and lives a life of rest and relaxation. The only horse I will ever own and I love him so much," Phipps posted on Facebook.
Tobacco Road | Image supplied
Trained by Richard Nutman then Noel Nelson, Tobacco Road won four of his 32 starts at Grafton, Casino, and Lismore. He debuted at Canterbury as a 2-year-old behind Pins and raced until he was six, after which he spent some years at Riding For The Disabled and at a riding school, before Phipps bought him as a confidence giver.
Tobacco Road retired from ridden life five years ago and has been enjoying his golden years with Phipps ever since.
Newcastle Racecourse to sponsor trio in Equimillions
Newcastle Racecourse announced on Tuesday that they will sponsor three riders at Equimillion 2026, which will be held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park, over the October Long Weekend from Friday October 2 to Monday October 5. Emily Stalder on Juventus (Hard Spun {USA}), Makayah Fenwick on Grace And Glory (Olympic Glory {Ire}), and Mara McGavern on Found Out (Exceed And Excel) are the trio selected.
Gallery: Newcastle Racecourse's sponsored combinations for Equimillion 2026 | Newcastle Racecourse
“We were delighted by the calibre of applications received and the strong connection so many riders and horses have with the Newcastle racing community,” Newcastle Racecourse CEO Duane Dowell said.
“Emily, Makayah and Mara are wonderful ambassadors for the opportunities available to horses beyond the racetrack and for the strong relationship that exists between the racing and equestrian communities.”
Miss Finland's son taking babysitting seriously
Nordicus (Dundeel {NZ}), an 11-year-old son of champion racefilly Miss Finland (Redoute's Choice) has been retired off the track for five years and has done a range of activities with TTR journalist Kit Gow in that time, from showjumping to showing, ponying breakers to mountain climbing.
At the moment, he is 'between jobs' and has been babysitting some 2-year-old geldings. He takes this job as seriously as the other roles he has had.
Nordicus supervising sales photography | Image supplied
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