Lindsay Park joins Racing Victoria's Acknowledged Retrainer program

Racing Victoria (RV) is delighted to announce Lindsay Park Racing has joined its Acknowledged Retrainer program, a significant step that underscores the stable’s long-standing commitment to equine welfare and the rehoming of retired racehorses.

As part of RV’s statewide network of Acknowledged Retrainers, Lindsay Park is now officially recognised for its expertise in retraining and rehoming retired racehorses.

Since being founded by Colin Hayes, Lindsay Park has always prioritised the health and happiness of its horses throughout their entire lifecycle – knowing most will enjoy much longer second careers away from the race track. Several of the stable’s stars enjoy their retirement years as companion horses on the Hayes’ 1,500-acre private training facility in Euroa, while others are carefully rehomed to loving owners.

Lindsay Park’s rehoming team, led by Racing Veterinary and Spelling Manager Yvonne Divers, ensures every retired horse is given the opportunity to thrive in its post-racing life. Upon retirement, each horse is assessed for its suitability to pursue a post-racing career, before being prepared for the next phase of its life. 

Once a horse has completed its retraining program and is deemed suitable to be rehomed, the stable encourages prospective new owners to apply through the 'life after racing’ page on its website and, provided the stringent rehoming criteria is met, successful applicants can then be matched with a retiree.

Lindsay Park sits alongside five other new Acknowledged Retrainers who have joined the program in recent months. They are Brooke Walker, Mitch Grayson, Emelia Sudholz, Hayley James and Rachael Black, who joins her sisters Jess Cocks and Bree Cocks in the program. Each Acknowledged Retrainer has a profile on the OTT Community which outlines their speciality disciplines, retraining process and contact details.

As Acknowledged Retrainers, each receives support courtesy of the industry’s equine welfare fund. In the past 12 months this expanded to include increased and extended reporting subsidies on the Off The Track Community, husbandry subsidy for new arrivals, vet rebates, funds to assist the retraining of PRESET and RESET horses as well as support to promote and drive demand for thoroughbreds in their care. The Acknowledged Retrainers also have access to support (where eligible) through RV’s emergency aid program, including drought relief.

Additional benefits for Acknowledged Retrainers include an Equestrian Victoria membership subsidy, discounts for Off The Track clinics, complementary horse deals ads to support the sale of horses, educational clinics and webinars and business promotion through RV’s digital platforms.

Lindsay Park Racing Veterinary and Spelling Manager, Yvonne Divers:

“At Lindsay Park, we’ve always cared deeply for every horse we train. Whether they’re Group 1 winners or maidens, each horse matters to us.

“Being accepted into the Acknowledged Retrainer Program by Racing Victoria is a natural step forward. It allows us to bring the retraining process in-house and stay involved beyond the racetrack.

“Now, we can personally oversee their transition into life after racing. We’re proud to ensure every horse receives the care, attention, and loving homes they truly deserve.”

RV General Manager – Equine Welfare, Melissa Ware:

“As well as widening the pool of Acknowledged Retrainers, Lindsay Park’s commitment to the program also enhances RV’s efforts to increase the traceability of registered thoroughbreds in Victoria.

“Lindsay Park’s decision to officially join our network of Acknowledged Retrainers is a great endorsement of the program.

“As one of Victoria’s leading stables, it is fitting that Lindsay Park is setting the standard when it comes to finding forever homes for their horses, whether it be on their beautiful property in Euroa or with someone looking to take on an off the track horse. 

“The entire Acknowledged Retrainer network do an amazing job to support horses transitioning to new careers from racing – whether large scale operators or small businesses, so it’s great that in the past 12 months we have been able to increase our financial support through various subsidy and incentive programs. Especially given that as small businesses, like many in the community, they are currently feeling cost of living pressures.

“We share Lindsay Park’s vision that every horse deserves to live a happy and healthy life after racing, so we thank them for their commitment and look forward to supporting their ongoing rehoming efforts.”

The Acknowledged Retrainer program is central to the delivery of RV’s suite of post-racing programs currently available. This includes:

• Acknowledged Rehomer Programs;
• RESET and PRESET Programs;
• Acknowledged Retirement Farm Providers;
• Clerk of Course Incentive Program;
• Retired Thoroughbred Companion Program;
• Short Term Assisted Recovery Program;
• Emergency Aid;
• Drought Relief Support;
• Educational Webinars and Seminars Series;
• Full Circle (Emergency Contact) Program; and
• Onsite Humane Euthanasia Program.

For more information on RV’s equine welfare programs, visit equinewelfare.com.au

For further information on Lindsay Park’s rehoming efforts, please visit their website.