This week marks the official public launch of National Thoroughbred Week (NTW), an Australasian initiative inviting the public to step inside stables, studs, and retraining centres from 20–24 November 2025.
More than 70 venues are already confirmed, with events spanning every Australian state and key New Zealand Thoroughbred regions, including Northland, Auckland, Waikato, the Central Districts, and Canterbury. A national public campaign will now ramp up through October and Melbourne Cup Week, urging people to register for a free visit to see Thoroughbreds up close, meet the people who care for them, and learn more about the industry.
Timed strategically for the week following the Melbourne Cup and NZ Cup Week, the initiative seeks to harness heightened public interest in racing while proactively addressing the scrutiny and misconceptions that often surface during this period of mainstream attention.
Invite the public in
National Thoroughbred Week has been developed by a volunteer Steering Committee comprising representatives from both sides of the Tasman. NTW co-founder and Kick Up director Vicky Leonard said the event represents a shift from reactive defence to proactive engagement
“Every year during Spring racing, the conversation inevitably turns to negative assumptions about welfare, and most often it’s shaped by people who’ve never been inside a stable,” Leonard said.
“This year, instead of arguing online, we want to invite people in. When someone says, ‘horse racing is cruel,’ our response can be: Have you ever actually been to a training stable or stud farm? If not, here’s your chance - everyone is invited.”
“As an industry, we have a great deal to be proud of - the care, the professionalism, and the people behind it. National Thoroughbred Week is our chance to show that pride to the public, and it aligns perfectly with Kick Up’s mission to give racing its voice back.”
Leonard said the event was designed as a national demonstration of transparency and unity.
“This is a practical, coordinated way to show what really happens behind the scenes - the hours, the care, the teamwork that most people never get to see.”
‘Bring Five Mates’: a call for industry-wide participation
The campaign’s success, Leonard said, will depend on participation from across the racing and breeding communities.
“We’re asking everyone in the industry to bring five mates who’ve never been behind the scenes before - friends, colleagues, family members - anyone who only knows horse racing from television or social media,” she said.
“If every person working in the industry brings five newcomers through the gates, the ripple effect will be extraordinary. It’s a simple concept, but it’s how we’ll reach thousands of Australians and New Zealanders who’ve never seen the reality for themselves.”
Industry participants are also encouraged to volunteer at local events or support the initiative financially. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help cover signage, marketing, visitor resources, insurance, and logistics.
“This week will only succeed if everyone plays a part. Whether you’re a bloodstock agent, a stud hand, a trackwork rider, a vet, or an owner, there’s a role for you. Volunteering at your local event is one of the most powerful ways to help people see the care and dedication that define our industry.”
“National Thoroughbred Week is a team effort. We need people from every corner of the industry to get behind it and welcome visitors, guide them through the tours, and explain what really goes on each day. Every volunteer helps shift a perception,” Leonard said.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and local industry participants have embraced the opportunity to show what makes New Zealand’s breeding and racing sectors so special, with 24 hosts already secured including, training centres, historic breeding farms, aftercare facilities and veterinary clinics.
NZTR Chief Executive Officer Matt Ballesty says the week represents a practical way to bring transparency, education, and community together.
“National Thoroughbred Week is a chance for the public to see the care and passion of our industry in action. It’s about opening our doors, showing the professionalism behind the sport, and building genuine understanding of what Thoroughbred life really looks like in New Zealand.”
“Across regional New Zealand, racing and breeding is woven into the fabric of local communities. They create jobs, sustain businesses, and bring people together through a shared love of horses.
“By opening our gates, we’re helping people understand the role Thoroughbreds play in those communities and hopefully sparking inspiration in the next generation, whether that’s a future jockey, vet, farrier, or simply someone who loves horses and wants to be part of their world,” Ballesty said.
With registrations still open, organisers are encouraging more farms, trainers, retrainers, and racing Clubs to join the programme in the coming weeks. Registrations can be made at Thoroughbredweek.co.nz.