Cover image courtesy of National Thoroughbred Week
Last November, over 5000 members of the public got exclusive backstage access to the Thoroughbred industry when stud farms, trainers, veterinarians, and everyone in between threw open their doors for the inaugural National Thoroughbred Week. In 2026, we are ready to do it all again.
Even bigger, even better
More than 100 free events across Australia and New Zealand have already been confirmed for the expanded renewal of NTW, which will run from November 20 to November 30 this year.
Attendees will again be invited to witness every stage of the Thoroughbred lifecycle, from seeing foals in the paddocks, to their preparation for sale and racing lives, and the many career paths available to them after their time on the track is over.
"National Thoroughbred Week gives Australians the opportunity to see the care, dedication and expertise that goes into raising, training and caring for thoroughbreds throughout every stage of their lives from birth to life after racing,” said National Thoroughbred Week Co-Founder Vicky Leonard.
"National Thoroughbred Week gives Australians the opportunity to see the care, dedication and expertise that goes into raising, training and caring for thoroughbreds." - Vicky Leonard
“There's something for everyone - from horse lovers and families to racing fans and those simply curious to learn more about the industry and even carve a career path."
Vicky Leonard with fellow NTW ambassadors | Image courtesy of The National Thoroughbred Week
In support of National Thoroughbred Week, Sportsbet has committed an investment of $1 million to supporting equine welfare initiatives through its Every Horse Counts campaign. The funding will support practical initiatives for Thoroughbreds throughout all life stages, including supporting rehabilitation and retraining.
A number of special guests have already signed up to attend, including Australian Racing Hall of Fame jockey Damien Oliver and former jockey Tom Prebble, alongside leading industry participants and horse lovers alike like Brisbane Lions’s Premiership Winning Player Conor McKenna, Sydney Swans’s star Tom Papley, and former Carlton Football Club Captain Marc Murphy, owner of this spring’s G1 Underwood Stakes winner Birdman (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}).
A dedicated industry
The Thoroughbred industry has played an important part in Australia’s economy and communities for over 230 years, with approximately 75,000 Australians currently employed within it and thousands more supported in secondary and tertiary suppliers. According to Racing Australia’s Fact Book, Thoroughbreds contributed $9.5 billion to the national economy on an annual basis, with 51% of that generated in regional Australia.
At the core of the industry is people with the passion for the animal, and one of National Thoroughbred Week’s most important elements is opening the public’s eyes to the hard work that happens every day in the process of caring for Thoroughbreds.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott opened their doors to the public last year, and will return in 2026. Waterhouse said that quite literally opening stable doors helped people better understand the relationship between horses and those who care for them.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“Everything we do centres on the welfare of the thoroughbred,” she said. “National Thoroughbred Week encourages people to experience that care and see the genuine bond between our horses and the dedicated people who work with them every day.
"Everything we do centres on the welfare of the thoroughbred." - Gai Waterhouse
“They are magnificent animals and I’d encourage anybody who has even the slightest interest to come and join us for a unique experience.”
Amongst the other trainers opening their doors for the 2026 renewal are John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, Chris Waller, Ciaron Maher, Liam Howley, and Malua Racing.
Rosemont Stud Principal Anthony Mithen is looking forward to opening the stud’s gates this year to private school tours, and said it was an excellent opportunity to educate the next generation and to inspire them to nurture the same passion that drives the Thoroughbred industry every day.
Anthony Mithen | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Breeding Thoroughbreds is built on dedication, horsemanship and a genuine love of the horse,” he said.
"Breeding Thoroughbreds is built on dedication, horsemanship and a genuine love of the horse." - Anthony Mithen
“We're excited to launch a high school educational visit program across National Thoroughbred Week and share what goes into raising the next generation of Thoroughbreds through our stallion, broodmare, foal, and yearling management programs."
The whole cycle
Yulong will invite the public back inside the gates of their Nagambie property in 2026, with the aim of showing what it takes to make a top level racehorse like Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express).
“We are in the fortunate position to be able to showcase the whole lifecycle of the Thoroughbred at Yulong, and that they hold immense value to us off the track as well,” said Yulong’s Marketing & Communications Claudia McDougall.
"We are in the fortunate position to be able to showcase the whole lifecycle of the Thoroughbred at Yulong." - Claudia McDougall
Claudia McDougall | Image courtesy of Yulong Investments
Yulong are keen to demonstrate their commitment to Thoroughbreds through to their careers after racing, whether that career continues in the breeding barn, in an equestrian discipline, providing companionship for other horses, or in one of a myriad of different roles in communities across Australia.
Visitors to Yulong will interact with mares and foals, view the stallion facilities and covering barn with the opportunity to get up close to Champion Sire Written Tycoon, and will meet retired Yulong-bred and raced horses like G2 Autumn Stakes winner Holy Snow (Fastnet Rock), who is enjoying life as a nanny.
“We have been actively supporting off the track careers for Thoroughbreds over the past few years with our sponsorship at events across Melbourne and Sydney, and we look forward to continuing that support in the future,” McDougall said.
Written Tycoon | Standing at Yulong Stud
“The most important part about this week is allowing people to meet the stars of the show, the horses themselves.”
Leading syndicator OTI Racing are pleased to showcase their equine welfare program at National Thoroughbred Week this year.
“We’re very proud of OTI’s Equine Welfare Program,” said OTI Racing Director, Gus Boyd. “Our responsibility to a horse doesn’t simply end when its racing career, or its time with OTI, comes to an end. Since establishing the program in 2019, we’ve committed to tracking each horse that leaves our management, maintaining a close interest in their wellbeing and providing veterinary and relocation support when required.
"National Thoroughbred Week is a chance for people to see for themselves how seriously our industry takes its commitment to welfare." - Gus Boyd
“National Thoroughbred Week is a chance for people to see for themselves how seriously our industry takes its commitment to welfare, and we’re proud to be part of it.”
Gus Boyd | Image courtesy of OTI Racing
Attendees are also invited to events with a range of people and places who help and utilise retired Thoroughbreds, including leading Racing Victoria retrainer Abey Performance Horses, Riding for the Disabled Association Alice Springs, Racing Hearts Therapy, and Living Legends.
That just scratches the surface on what is on offer this year, and interested parties are invited to sign up now for events on the National Thoroughbred Week website.
