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Racing Victoria has announced a change to the classification of its Off The Track program which will see the number of horses eligible to compete in OTT events increase by as much as 25 per cent.

The OTT program promotes thoroughbred horses to the equestrian and pleasure industries, and helps facilitate their placement in post-racing careers.

Effective from August 1, any horse bred to race that has been Stud Book-registered, either domestically with the Australian Stud Book or internationally, will be eligible to compete in OTT events in Victoria.

Historically, OTT events have been restricted to thoroughbreds who had competed in a race or an official barrier trial.

Already a highly-successful program, this change of classification will expand the reach of OTT and open events up to a range of new competitors.

Through the OTT program, RV has sponsored more than 500 equestrian events in which over 11,000 retired racehorses have competed.

RV Executive General Manager – Integrity Services, Jamie Stier, said the change to the classification is a strong indicator of how well the OTT program is received in the equestrian community.

“This is a huge step in the right direction for encouraging people to invest in Off The Track thoroughbreds,” Stier said.

“The objective of this change was to create a more inclusive community that enables a wider number of horses to qualify for Off The Track events.”

Equestrian Victoria CEO, Matthew Brown, believes the expansion will be well received from all disciplines within the EV program.

“We look forward to further developing our relationship with RV in supporting thoroughbreds in all disciplines,” Brown said.

“This is a great evolvement for the OTT program and is a fantastic expansion of what is already a comprehensive initiative from RV, recognising and catering for the full versatility of our thoroughbreds.”

With the change due to come into effect from 1 August, unraced OTT thoroughbreds competing in this year’s prestigious Garryowen at the Melbourne Show, in which retired racehorses have won the past seven years, will now be eligible.

Thoroughbreds are the ideal equestrian athletes and are suitable for a range of disciplines including eventing, showing, polo, pony clubs and other sport horse events.