Nikki Cook is the owner and operator of Shory Park horses, one of Australia’s largest and leading retraining operations.

Racing Victoria (RV) is pleased to launch the inaugural RV Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year Award, which recognises the outstanding dedication and achievements made by RV Acknowledged Retrainers in the last year. 

The Award is aimed at rewarding RV Acknowledged Retrainers for their continuing commitment to retraining and rehoming ex-racehorses as well as raising awareness of the important role they play inenabling the thoroughbreds to find secondary careers away from the racecourse.

A panel of five esteemed judges were tasked with narrowing down a competitive field of entries for the Award, including Olympian Amanda Ross, media personality and talented polo player Hamish McLachlan, Peter Horobin Saddlery Creative Director & Marketing Communications at the Australian Jumps Racing Association Marlee Horobin, esteemed trainer Bec Waymouth and RV’s Head of Integrity, Jamie Stier.

An impressive list of entries was received for the inaugural award, with judges making their final decision based on competitive or non-competitive achievements made with Off The Track (OTT) horses; dedication by the entrants to promoting the OTT program and the contribution they have made to increasing participation of riders taking on OTT horses in their new careers.

After a thorough judging process, three highly credentialed and dedicated Acknowledged Retrainers were chosen as finalists.
Jessica Schneider has been an RV Acknowledged Retrainer for six years, after she purchased a farm solely for the purpose of re-educating and campaigning retired racehorses. Known as Vengeance Performance Horses, the farm regularly has over 20 horses in full work, a large majority of which are Off The Track.

Jessica Schneider has been an RV Acknowledged Retrainer for six years

Nikki Cook is the owner and operator of Shory Park horses, one of Australia’s largest and leading retraining operations. Nikki won the prestigious Godolphin Stud and Staff Stable Award for Thoroughbred Care and Welfare in 2016, and her team retrain close to 100 OTT thoroughbreds each year. Nikki is one of Racing Victoria's longest standing Retrainers.

Amanda Porter runs the successful Forest View Thoroughbreds. Amanda has a small but dedicated team of experienced horse people working with her, including volunteers wanting to learn more about OTT thoroughbreds. Amanda prides herself on producing quality mounts suitable for a variety of disciplines, and currently sponsors a young rider competing aboard their retired racehorse.

Amanda Porter runs the successful Forest View Thoroughbreds.

The winner of the RV Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year Award will be presented at the annual Equestrian Victoria Awards, sponsored by RV’s Off The Track program, on Saturday 20 July 2019.

The winner will receive a cheque for $2500 to assist them in the continuing development of their OTT work. The two runners up will receive a $500 Peter Horrobin voucher courtesy of Peter Horrobin Saddlery.

This article was written in conjunction with Racing Victoria

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