ACKNOWLEDGED RETRAINERS
Acknowledged Retrainers have gained their ‘Acknowledged’ status based on being held in high regard within the industry, as well as for their skill and track record in successfully retraining and rehoming Thoroughbreds.
Thoroughbred Traceability
It is difficult for New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing to maintain reliable information on the location and ownership of horses that have been retired and re-homed with unlicensed owners, which is why it's encouraged to rehoming through an Acknowledged Retrainer.
Each horse’s accountable person must still submit a completed SR24 form when consigning a retired horse to an Acknowledged Retrainer.
Acknowledge Retrainers FAQs
Following the launch of the NZTR Acknowledged Retrainer network, follow the link to find a list of the most frequently asked questions. These answers have been collated to assist all industry participants in better understanding how the network can be utilised to assist horses transitioning to a second career post-racing.
NZTR’s guidelines to Accountable Persons
Guidelines for the retirement of racehorses via NZTR Acknowledged Retrainers can be found here.
Incoming Horse Information Form
This form is to be completed and sent to the Acknowledged Retainer prior to your horse arriving on their property. An SR24 form must also be completed and submitted to NZTR upon retirement of any horse.
Acknowledged Retrainer Contacts
Eventstars Ltd - Cambridge
Gina Schick | 021 224 6870 (text is best) | eventstarstbs@gmail.com
1030 Kaipaki Road, Cambridge, New Zealand, 3495.
Having originally both ridden trackwork and competed Thoroughbreds (primarily in eventing), I saw the need for a good system for placing retiring racehorses in appropriate homes, and moved from producing a few horses through to a full time operation in 2008.
Based in Cambridge, we operate out of 10 acres with an arena, cross-country paddock and access to great hacking.
EventStars has 3 full-time staff members and we have rehomed hundreds of horses successfully over the years, both within NZ and internationally. We have been lucky enough to be entrusted with some very good Gr1 racehorses too, such as Fritzy Boy, Sangster, Start Wondering, etc
Tracey Stobie - Taupo
Tracey Stobie | 021 254 2989 | traceystobienz@gmail.com
We are a Kinloch based Retrainer for horses who have raced in New Zealand as well as those returning from Hong Kong via International Thoroughbred Retirement. Along with my partner Steve Clark we have an extensive background in equestrian activities. We are active members of the Taupo Hunt Inc and I compete at Dressage. We have excellent facilities and access to extensive farmland to ride over, which gives the horses I handle an opportunity to be exposed to a great variety of situations and gives me a good indication of where their next career may be.
Stevens Sporthorses - Taupo
Kelly Stevens | 027 200 5171 | stevenssporthorses@gmail.com
1901 Tutukau Road, Ohakuri
https://stevenssporthorses.com/
I’ve been passionate about horses as long as I’ve been alive, and over the last few years I’ve developed a particular fondness for thoroughbreds and their straightforward approach to life and willingness to adapt and learn. I run a successful schooling/sale on behalf business plus compete in show jumping (mainly) but also dressage and eventing in order to get young/green horses the exposure they need to transition to sporthorse life.
Based north of Taupo I have developed an equestrian specific property with stables, yards, arena etc and have access to various farms and the National Equestrian Centre close by so I can offer OTTB’s lots of variation. Being a decent size property of 25 acres I am also able offer horses turn out time on the hills when required.
I have produced many OTTB’s to be great competitors and put a strong focus on matching them to the right kind of human/home.
LK Sporthorses - Tokoroa
Lana Korsten | 021 160 1719 | lanakorsten@gmail.com
I have had a passion for horses all my life and in the last few years I have created a successful business offering schooling services, lessons, and rehoming off the track Thoroughbreds alongside competing my own horses in eventing. I thoroughly enjoy working with Thoroughbreds and am passionate about finding suitable homes for the next chapter of their life off the track.
I operate from our family owned dairy farm based in Tokoroa, South Waikato. Here we have a large arena, stables, yarding, equine safe fencing and ample hacking land, as well as only being a 20-minute drive to the equine forestry exercise block. A lot of variety is available for these horses to find out what they are best at/enjoy most, to find the best suitable homes.
Jump Start - Palmerston North
Dana Sutton | 021 638 352 | jumpstartretraining@gmail.com
Horses are welcomed into ridden work and given a wide range of training opportunities. Each horse is assessed on its abilities, performance and behaviour with this information then available for potential new homes.
The grazing block is adapted for turnout grazing if horses require a spell before completing the training or rehoming process.
Jump Start accommodates pleasure and performance rehoming and we're a small operation based in Palmerston North, Manawatu.
The facilities include purpose-built Equiwire paddocks (8), yarding and group one portable stables, an arena, log/xc training paddock and hunting spas, incorporated within a working dairy farm over 380 hectares to allow hacking and education.
Dana is passionate about thoroughbreds, having educated and competed them across all disciplines at a national level.
She holds her national certification in stable management and sport horse, a diploma in veterinary nursing, is an accredited equine bit fitter and a NZPCA coach.
Hunter Road Stables - Hawera
Sarah Brosnahan | 027 558 2650 | hunterroadstables@gmail.com
Hunter Road Stables is based in South Taranaki and run by Sarah and Jon. Both have a long history of producing Thoroughbreds off the track particularly in the hunting and show jumping disciplines. The property is well set up to provide a varied start to sport horse life with an all-weather arena.
The farm is fully set with hunt spars and different obstacles and only a 10-minute drive to the beach. The focus at Hunter Road Stables is ensuring that horses are matched with the right homes and are the right fit for their new rider.
Jess Land Equestrian - Rangiora
Jess Land | 027 848 4484 | jess@jesslandequestrian.com
At Jess Land Equestrian we focus on re-homing Thoroughbreds off the track, sale on behalf and competing a team of horses out Show Jumping up to FEI 1* 1.40m level.
Based in Rangiora Canterbury we are lucky to have a great set up with an all-weather arena, XC paddock, round yard, covered tie ups, and plenty of yards and stables. We average on selling 125 horses per year and in our spare time can be found travelling both the South and North Islands for shows.
Bennington Park - Oxford
Sarah Dring | 021 355 591 | benningtonpark@gmail.com
I have had 30+ years of experience retraining Thoroughbreds into a variety of sport horse careers. This developed into my Rehab and Pre-training involvement with racing, which also included training a small team myself.
Having developed the Bennington Park Equine Hydrotherapy Centre with its quiet location and varied facilities, I’m looking forward to combining this with my retraining passion alongside raising my two young riders to take the reins later on!
Melissa Douglas Equestrian - Invercargill
Melissa | 027 815 8031 | melissa.douglas99@gmail.com
I am based in Invercargill where I work as a trackwork rider. I grew up eventing, with parents that were very involved in both harness racing and thoroughbred racing. I bought my first thoroughbred in 2015 (I still have her) and never looked back!
I have been rehoming thoroughbreds since 2020 – something that I have always dreamed of doing. I am very lucky to be based at a great property that allows me to retrain thoroughbreds, and I love nothing more than seeing them thrive in new homes that love them as much as I do!
Pinoaks Park - North Canterbury
Lisa Wilson | 027 829 7416 | lisa@pinoakspark.co.nz
Pinoaks Park was established in 2022 by Lisa Wilson for primarily rehoming off the track thoroughbreds into sporthorse careers. Lisa has over 14 years experience in the thoroughbred industry in New Zealand from yearlings, racehorses, breeding, stud work and during this time since immigrating, Lisa has rehomed many off the track.
Pinoaks Park is based in Ohoka, North Canterbury where we are lucky to have excellent on site facilities, and great off farm facilities close by if we wish to venture out.
Ebony Turner - Southland
Ebony Turner | 027 871 1489 | turnerracing98@gmail.com
My name is Ebony Turner and I am thrilled to be working alongside NZTR as an acknowledged re-trainer. I am a Southland-based registered Thoroughbred trainer and work full-time as an Equine Veterinary Technician at Vet South Invercargill.
In my "spare" time I enjoy producing Off The Track Thoroughbreds and finding them their special person.
