Winning in a life after racing
Queensland Racing
Atherton race trainer Janel Ryan loves a winning horse but where they finish on the track is not as important to her as where they finish off the track.
“To me, that is the most important part of the horse’s life… what happens to them when they retire,’’ she says.
And Gee Up a “not very good racehorse but beautiful to look at boy” and 5-year-old gelding with 15 starts for just three second placings to its name, is testament to Ryan’s approach.
The horse is now in good hands for a life after racing, having been promoted by its trainer for Queesland Racing’s Off-The-Track program.
The news for other horses like Gee Up is positive, with the State Government last week announcing 14 organisations and retrainers will benefit from the 2026 Queensland Off-The-Track Grants Program.
The successful recipients will share in almost $200,000 to support the welfare and ongoing care of retired Queensland racehorses.
The grants program supports not-for-profit organisations and charities providing rehabilitation and retraining services for retired racehorses.
Retrainers can use the grants to expand their operations or upgrade facilities, helping increase their capacity to care for more retired racehorses.
The successful applicants span across two grant initiatives:
- Acknowledged Retrainer Expansion Grants – six grants totalling $104,476
- Therapy Horse Grants – eight grants totalling $86,200
After a decade of decline under the former Labor Government, the Crisafulli Government is delivering for Queensland’s racing industry.
Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said that the Grants Program was a key initiative for increasing the post-racing opportunities available for retired racehorses.
“The Queensland Off-The-Track Grants Program is an important step to expanding aftercare initiatives available to retired racehorses at every stage of life,” Minister Mander said.
“The Crisafulli Government is committed to improving the welfare outcomes for retired racehorses in Queensland and that’s why we’ll continue to work toward initiatives outlined in The Next Lap: A plan for the future of Queensland racing.
“I congratulate the recipients of this year’s grants and look forward to them making a significant impact to the wellbeing of retired racehorses.”
It also supports equine-assisted therapy organisations that use retrained retired racehorses in their programs.
Racing Queensland Senior Animal Care Manager Kim Duffy said the Grants Program continued to invest in initiatives that support the successful transition and long-term welfare of retired racehorses.
"These grants will expand opportunities for retired racehorses by supporting the dedicated individuals and organisations who care for them," Ms Duffy said.
"The calibre of applications received this year reflects the incredible dedication and expertise that exists throughout Queensland's off-the-track horse community.
"Congratulations to this year's recipients, whose work continues to make a valuable contribution to the welfare of retired racehorses and the continued growth of Queensland's aftercare network."
