Cover image courtesy of Love Racing NZ
Since the launch of The Next Chapter last month, the 2026 running of the Racing NSW's headline off the track Thoroughbred event took place over the October long weekend, where retired racehorses and their human partners showcased how their worth doesn't start and stop on the racetrack.
Over in New Zealand, Boom Boom Basil (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) has also been proving that his talents are better placed elsewhere, and the 11-year-old gelding's climb to the highest level in showjumping has one inspiring factor behind New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing launching their Beyond The Track platform to help retired Thoroughbreds and their new owners navigate the transition to a new career.
Racing NSW has also deepened their commitment to life after racing this month, as we celebrate the great things that can happen when one chapter closes and another opens.
From Whangerei to Grand Prix, 'Enzo' takes his owners to new heights
Trained by Chris Gibbs and Michelle Bradley, Boom Boom Basil did not inspire in either of his two starts, beaten 10 lengths or more in both outings to Whangerei for total earnings of NZ$250 when he retired in 2019. Fortunately for him and for his current owner, 17-year-old Sofia Williams, his talents lay in jumping.
Sofia's mother Luce Williams spotted the grey son of Reliable Man (GB) jumping a log in a Facebook post and bought him sight unseen as a 3-year-old. Renamed Grassendale Enzo, he was quick to show off his true talents.
“I love thoroughbreds and would produce one per year, then sell them when they got around to that 1.10-metre level,” Luce said. “I saw Enzo on Facebook and showed my husband, it was a photo of him jumping a log and it was out the gate - we bought him sight unseen off that photo.
Sofia Williams and Boom Boom Basil (NZ) | Image courtesy of Corina Belliss
“I knew he was very talented from the start, he has a very natural elasticity about him, and when he got to the age of five, he was definitely ready to do the age-group series. I did the five, six and 7-year-old series on him. The 7-year-olds are pretty high so he was taking me places too, I’d never jumped that high before and he placed in every 7-year-old class he went in."
Amongst Boom Boom Basil's long list of achievements is the 2023/24 TiES Jumping Accumulator title and the Top Performed Thoroughbred at last year’s New Zealand Horse of the Year Show.
The gelding is now ridden by Sofia full time, and together they have won the air winning the FMG Young Rider Series class at Feilding and Hawke’s Bay, the Horse 1.35m Championship at Foxton, and the FEI World Jumping Challenge round at Gisborne this year.
In September, they jumped clear around a 1.4-metre to 1.5-metre course at the Wairarapa A&P Show, securing victory with a flawless jump-off round.
Sofia Williams and Boom Boom Basil | Image courtesy of Kampic
“It was my second Grand Prix, we’d done one the weekend before at Labour Weekend, so I was very happy,” said Sofia, who has always had a Thoroughbred industry connection, being a niece of Little Avondale Stud's Sam and Dame Catriona Williams. “It was very unexpected, he was just awesome, and he saved my butt a few times in the jump-off, he was amazing.
“We are playing it by air at this stage, we’d liked to try some Premier Grand Prixes later on but he just keeps blowing us away with what he can jump."
Boom Boom Basil's trajectory is just one of the stories showcased on NZTR's new Beyond The Track platform, where users can claim their off the track Thoroughbreds, connect with other owners, and receive advice on looking after a retired racehorse. The platform also has resources for trainers and racing owners, to help them plan the next steps.
“Thoroughbreds give so much to our industry, and our responsibility to them doesn’t end when they finish racing," said NZTR Head of Thoroughbred Welfare Catlyn Calder.
Catlyn Calder | Image courtesy of Love Racing NZ
"Beyond the Track brings everything together in one place, giving owners and the wider Thoroughbred community better access to information, support and resources, while helping us stay connected to our horses throughout their lives.
“Planning for life after racing should start well before a horse has its final start. We want owners to have those conversations early with their trainers, racing managers and syndicators, understand the options available and make sure there is a plan, including financial provision, for what that individual horse may need next.”
Racing NSW partners with Equestrian Australia
Racing NSW has announced a new five-year partnership with Equestrian Australia, the national body that governs most equestrian disciplines and events, where the two organisations has committed to working together on improving Thoroughbred welfare outcomes.
The partnership will focus on strengthening post-racing career pathways for Thoroughbreds and improving information transfer and traceability into life after racing.
“Our commitment to the welfare of Thoroughbreds doesn’t stop when a horse finishes its racing career," said Racing NSW Acting Chief Executive Officer Graeme Hinton. "It is important that we continue to support horses as they transition into the next stage of their lives and ensure that they all find a suitable new home.
Graeme Hinton | Image courtesy of Australian Turf Club
“A strong demand for retired racehorses and more people understanding how to successfully retrain and manage them are important parts of that process. By working more closely with Equestrian Australia, we can provide greater support and education to the people taking these horses on.
“That also creates an opportunity to build stronger connections between the racing and equestrian industries and promote the many career pathways that exist across the Thoroughbred industry.”
Equestrian Australia Board Chair Nick Ballard agreed, acknowledging the vital role that Thoroughbreds have in other spots and emphasising how transparency of information is essential to setting horses up for success.
“Thoroughbreds have an important and growing place in Australian equestrian sport, and we want to see more horses successfully transition from racing into rewarding second careers," he said.
“For that to happen, the people taking on these horses need access to the right information and support, and the horses need to be given every opportunity to adapt successfully to their new role.
“This partnership is about building that connection between racing and equestrian sport and creating better outcomes for Thoroughbreds throughout their lives.”
Nick Ballard | Image courtesy Equestrian Australia
Racing NSW and Equestrian Australia have committed to developing a world class horse registration and traceability platform, and establishing a indepth resource hub for owners of Thoroughbreds and those interested in the breed. The five-year agreement will also provide ongoing promotional and operational support for Equimillion.
