Off The Track horses set to take centre stage at Victoria’s premier equestrian competition

Former star of the turf Zaaki headlines 120 retired racehorses set to showcase their versatility at Victoria’s premier equestrian competition, the Melbourne International 3 Day Event (MI3DE), to be held across the King’s Birthday long weekend.

Racing Victoria’s (RV) Off The Track (OTT) program returns as an official Event Partner for MI3DE which takes place at the picturesque Werribee Park precinct from tomorrow (Thursday, 5 June) to Monday, 9 June.

The MI3DE features a range of initiatives and events designed to highlight the suitability of retired racehorses to compete across a wide range of equestrian disciplines and has attracted competitors from all over Australia.

The second annual Off The Track CCN1*Long competition – which has drawn a total of 29 entrants – is open exclusively to Stud Book-registered thoroughbreds who have been claimed on the OTT Community, with RV’s sponsorship helping to offset the entry costs for competitors.

The same entry criteria applies to the Yulong Stud Rising Stars competition, which takes place on Friday, 6 June. Open exclusively to retired racehorses that last raced (or competed in an official trial) within two years of the event, the Rising Stars competition returns for a second year and will be sponsored for the first time by the renowned Victorian stud farm.

Amongst the 33 entrants is Zaaki, who won four Group 1 races and the 2022 All-Star Mile (1600m) for trainer Annabel Archibald before connections called time on his glittering career in early 2024.

Since then, the 10-year-old has been busy preparing for his secondary career and he will make his MI3DE debut in the Rising Stars event, which also features his fellow Stakes winner Great House who ran in two editions of the Sportsbet Caufield Cup (2400m) and competed in the 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m).

The top three placegetters in the event will be invited to participate in the Chris Burton Masterclass, which is supported by the OTT program and hosted by the Olympic silver medallist at 5.30pm on Saturday, 7 June. Burton, who has represented Australia at three Olympic Games, will conduct an informative and educational session detailing the best methods of re-training a retired racehorse for a career in eventing.

The following day, OTT Ambassador Amanda Ross will host a special behind-the-scenes tour of the cross-country course, which winds its way past the Werribee Open Range Zoo, the adjoining Mansion Hotel and Spa, through the State Rose Garden and across the Melbourne Polo Fields.

All riders competing on a Stud Book-registered thoroughbred in any class will receive a personalised cap from RV, bearing their horse’s racing name on the back. They include Australia’s representative at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Shenae Lowings, who will be competing on her OTT Bold Venture in the CCI4*Long class.

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is joining RV to support thoroughbreds in their second careers, providing a Melbourne Cup Carnival hospitality package for the Best Performed Thoroughbred in the elite CCI4*Long class and the Off the Track CCN1*Long.

RV will also launch a new range of merchandise at MI3DE, which will be available to purchase from the OTT marque with all profits directed to RV’s post-racing programs.

Melissa Ware, RV’s General Manager – Equine Welfare, said: “We are delighted to offer our full support as Event Partners of the Melbourne International 3 Day Event, which will help shine a light on the ability of OTT horses to transition into secondary careers once they have been retired from racing.

“The Melbourne International 3 Day Event is one of over 200 events that RV’s Off The Track Program supports across the state to drive demand and position retired racehorses as the breed of choice in the equestrian community.

“With thoroughbreds making up more than 50 per cent of the horses competing, the Melbourne International 3 Day Event provides the perfect platform to showcase the intelligence and adaptability of these amazing animals.

“We wish all competitors the very best of luck this weekend and look forward to crowning the winner of the second Off The Track CCN1*Long competition.”

For further information on MI3DE, please visit the website at https://m3de.com.au

For more info on the benefits of the OTT program, head to https://www.ottcommunity.com.au