Racing NSW and Pony Club NSW Partner to Build Industry Pathways and Equine Welfare Programs

Racing NSW and Pony Club NSW have officially announced a partnership agreement designed to establish robust career pathways into the New South Wales thoroughbred racing industry for young riders across more than 220 clubs.

Announced at Bart’s Farm, one of Racing NSW’s owned and operated equine welfare properties where staff successfully retrain and rehome retired racehorses, the alliance connects 10,000 Pony Club members with professional racing while simultaneously driving commercial demand and welfare outcomes for equine athletes.

The initiative positions Pony Club NSW as the foundational starting point for young equestrians, with Racing NSW’s Team Thoroughbred Academy acting as the direct gateway to formal employment, practical industry experience, professional shadowing, and accredited educational qualifications.

Highlighting the importance of nurturing grassroots talent and long-term equine welfare, Racing NSW Acting CEO, Graeme Hinton, said: “This partnership formalises the industry’s long-standing relationship with Pony Club and opens up new opportunities for exciting careers in racing.”

“So many of our leading participants have come through the Pony Club system which is a testament to the vital foundation of skills they are taught.

“Importantly, this partnership will also see more young riders introduced to retired thoroughbred racehorses and provided with the education and experience necessary to support them,” Hinton said.

Echoing these sentiments from an administrative perspective, president of Pony Club NSW, Claire Martin, added: “We’re incredibly pleased to partner with Racing NSW, it brings together two organisations with a shared commitment to education, horse welfare and the future of young people in the equine industry.”

“This partnership will create exciting new opportunities for our members through career pathways, more education, and competition, both in and beyond the saddle,” Martin added.

As a component of the collaboration, a Future Equimillion seminar will be delivered for Pony Club members during Racing NSW’s Equimillion event on Monday 5th October 2026. Equimillion is a premier equestrian event for retired thoroughbred racehorses conducted over the October long weekend each year with unprecedented prizemoney of over $1 million on offer. Pony Club NSW will feature as an official partner of Equimillion 2026, complete with dedicated spaces, showcase events, and exclusive prizemoney categories for participating riders.

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