Following the success of last year’s Jump Off, a reality television series that celebrates the versatility of thoroughbred racehorses, Racing Victoria (RV) has announced its commitment to Jump Off Series Two.
The series, which will air on the Seven Network from this Sunday, 29 September, is being produced by Showmakers with RV’s Off The Track program a major sponsor.
Jump Off Series Two features an exciting format that will give more retired racehorses a new home and more riders the chance to compete for Australia's richest show jumping purse of $100,000.
The eight-episode weekly television series is this year open to retired thoroughbred racehorses Australia-wide and will feature three competition classes. They are:
- Just Raced - open to any retired thoroughbred that has raced or trialled within the last two years from the date of their last official race or trial;
- Have Jumped - open to retired thoroughbred racehorses which are ranked with less than 30 Equestrian Australia (EA) points; and
- Have Jumped Open - open to any retired thoroughbred racehorse.
A total of 190 rider and horse combinations have registered to compete at one of three qualifying rounds across Australia for the chance to secure a berth in the lucrative final, to be filmed in front of a live audience in Victoria on Lexus Melbourne Cup eve.
The Jump Off Series Two qualifiers and final are:
Qualifiers
- Round 1: Wednesday, 2 October - Sydney International Equestrian Centre, New South Wales - 12pm;
- Round 2: Saturday, 12 October - Northern Victorian Showjumping Club, Shepparton, Victoria - 4pm
- Round 3: Saturday, 19 October - Sunshine Coast; and Showjumping Club, Nambour Showgrounds, Queensland - 12pm.
Final
- Monday, 4 November (night) – Boneo Park Equestrian Centre, Victoria.
RV’s Chief Executive, Giles Thompson, said the industry is delighted to be a major sponsor of Jump Off Series Two and has embraced the new format of the second series.
“The inaugural series of Jump Off was very popular among the racing and equestrian communities, showcasing the versatility of thoroughbreds in one of the many pursuits that retired racehorses embark on in their life after racing,” Thompson said.
“The popularity of last year’s series, and the launch of Jump Off Series Two, has seen a strong demand for retired racehorses across the state which is pleasing to see, and also complements the work being done by our Off The Track program and its acknowledged retrainers.
“We’re excited to partner with Jump Off Series Two as the new format provides the opportunity to showcase more retired racehorses in their life after racing and even more competitors with the opportunity to compete for an impressive prizemoney pool.
“We’re looking forward to following the television series on the Seven Network from this Sunday and are particularly excited to see the final being filmed in front of live audience here in Victoria during the biggest week of the year in Australian racing.”
Among those competing will be the recently crowned RV Off The Track Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year, Nikki Cook, who will be partnering retired galloper Dessert Rain.
Cook operates the Geelong-based Shory Park Horses, one of Australia’s leading retraining operations that retrains close to 100 Off The Track thoroughbreds each year.
“Our philosophy is that there is a home for every healthy thoroughbred after racing, and we are working with both the racing and equestrian communities to use every avenue to rehome retiring racehorses in Victoria,” Thompson added.
“Through our Off The Track program, Racing Victoria has sponsored more than 700 equestrian events in which over 15,000 retired racehorses have competed and we’re pleased to extend that sponsorship this year to Jump Off Series Two.”
Off The Track drives demand for the thoroughbred as performance and pleasure horses, as well as providing education on the various post-racing options, versatility and appropriate care and retraining of the breed.
For more information on Off The Track, visit racingvictoria.com.au/offthetrack or to register interest in attending the Jump Off Series Two final at Boneo Park, visit facebook.com/jumpoffaus.