By Jordan Gerrans
The Queensland Off-The-Track Board was established in 2020 and is governed by Racing Queensland and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission.
It was established to operate and manage the QOTT Program and will be responsible for the policies, programs and reporting relating to the retirement of horses from racing and breeding activities.
Racing Queensland has taken a closer look at two former equine stars who are enjoying their new lives as off-the-track horses.
Even seven years on from his last race start at Redcliffe, Everydays A Sunday is still turning heads up on the peninsula of Brisbane.
Hours before the first race on a Wednesday afternoon at Redcliffe, a club staff member wandered past Felicity Reinke (pictured) and asked if the horse she was holding was in fact Everydays A Sunday, a winner of 10 career races.
“See,” Reinke points out.
“He is a bit of a star.
“He loves to have something to do and be the centre of attention.”
Seven years on from his last race start as a quality standardbred pacer around Australia, which included racing in New South Wales and Queensland, Everydays A Sunday is loving life with Reinke at her Wondai home.
Racing was bred into Reinke, who trains and drives in her own right, as well as working a couple of jobs and running her own farm.
Everydays A Sunday had 68 starts between 2011 and 2014 before he eventually made his way to Wondai.
“I received a phone call from someone I used to work for, they had a nice horse in the paddock that was looking for a new home,” Reinke said.
“I happened to remember him from his racing days and my partner said to me 'you always wanted a chestnut with white' – so he came home with me.
“This fella has been very, very special.”
Everydays A Sunday is one of quite a few racehorses Reinke has taken on over the years.
A few years ago, Reinke decided to give Everydays A Sunday a long period in the paddock to “just be a horse” she explains.
As a gelding who has been around people and routine for much of his life, Reinke says he hated living in a paddock, so he was soon back into his second lease on life.
Instead of racing at Redcliffe and Albion Park, Everydays A Sunday now spends his time taking out events like the 2020 Track To Hack series, which is sponsored by Racing Queensland.
He also competes successfully at agricultural shows, including Brisbane’s Ekka, and open company shows.
He also claimed the Standardbred Association of Queensland Versatility Award for 2020.
“We can do everything with him, my 10-year-old daughter rugs him and rides him occasionally, he is a real character to have around,” Reinke said.
“He is always there waiting for me every afternoon.
“The Off-The-Track program is fantastic, these horses deserve to have a second life because they are all beautiful, lovely, forgiving horses and they just want to be your friend.”
Reinke implored anyone that was interested in taking on a former racehorse to contact the Standardbred Association of Queensland Rehoming and Adoption program, who should be able to point them in the right direction of a loving horse.