Eventer Chrissy Grear and off the track Thoroughbred Dalis. Image: Lisa Grund Photography.

OTT exclusive 1* class in the spotlight at MI3DE

An exciting new addition to the 2024 eventing calendar is a CCN1*S class at Melbourne International Three-Day Event, run exclusively for off the track horses. This new initiative is part of Racing Victoria's renewed long-standing partnership with Equestrian Victoria.

Thoroughbreds have been synonymous with eventing in Australia since the early beginnings of the sport here. Countless Thoroughbreds have carried Australians to Olympic eventing medals in years gone by, and despite the rise in purpose-bred horses, many rides still swear by the endurance and tenacity of the Thoroughbred – especially on cross country day! 

In recent years, we’ve seen a rise in the number of off the track Thoroughbreds (OTTs) eventing here in Victoria, from the grassroots through to the elite level. At the 2022 FEI World Championships, two of the Australian team horses – WillingaPark Clifford (Hazel Shannon) and Bold Venture (Shenae Lowings) – were OTTs.  

As an event director and eventing aficionado, Janet Houghton has noticed just how many OTTs are out there competing and moving through the levels. “A couple of years ago for Spring Horse Trials [at Werribee Park] we started to identify the OTTs. I looked at the one-star entries and we actually had enough to run a class just for them,” she explains. That Spring Horse Trials class was run just as the competition world began emerging from the pandemic, and then Wandin International Horse Trials followed suit and also ran a one-star class exclusively for OTTs.  

“One-star is a level where we have quite a few off the track horses; they start off at EvA65 and are coming through preparing for FEI,” explains Janet. Reflecting on the success of the one-star classes for OTTs in recent years, it was decided that a CCN1*S class for OTTs would be added to the 2024 Melbourne International Three-Day Event (MI3DE) programme.  

“Our relationship with Racing Victoria’s Off The Track program has been going for quite a long time, they have worked really well in partnership with Eventing Victoria,” explains Janet. General entry numbers across the FEI classes at events have been a little lower since the pandemic and coupled with increasing numbers and enthusiasm for the OTTs coming up through the levels, it was a natural fit to introduce an OTT CCN1*S at MI3DE. 

“MI3DE has always had a really good relationship with Thoroughbreds. Shenae Lowing’s horse, Bold venture, won the CCI4*L a couple of years ago. Teegan Ashby’s lovely Thoroughbred, Magic Mushroom TAE, won the CCI3*L last year,” notes Janet.  

“There are some really nice Thoroughbreds coming through the ranks. The work that Off The Track are doing for the horses in Victoria… encouraging participation at all levels through putting prize money and effort into these events, it’s really paying off. It’s good to see the OTTs are well recognised.” 

With a lot of interest already in the new MI3DE class, Janet expects that entry slots will fill up and therefore they will likely be balloted based on prior performances at one-star level. “It’s the fairest way to do it. It’ll be a class comprised of the horses that have received the best results coming through, and therefore it’ll be a real showcase.” 

With Off The Track already inviting racing owners and trainers to MI3DE to watch and follow their past horses’ journeys in new careers, the inaugural OTT CCN1*S will add another layer of interest and excitement.  

“It's not all about winning the class. It's about the journey with these horses,” says Janet. “I'm really looking forward to it. I think it's really going to be a great addition to the event.” 

For those who are interested in aiming for the OTT CCN1*S at MI3DE next year, be sure to follow Off The Track and MI3DE on socials for further updates next year. 

Published 27 March 2024.

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