Amanda Benson crowned QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year

By Andrew Smith

Such is Amanda Benson’s love for all the former racehorses she has retrained, she struggles to single out one that has stood above the rest over the course of her career.

And the Dulong-based retrainer could not contain her joy and excitement when speaking about the benefits of the Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT) Program.

Benson was crowned the QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year at the 2025 Queensland Thoroughbred Awards last month.

It was second time lucky for Benson after finishing as runner-up for the award at last year’s ceremony, beating out fellow finalist Gemma Creighton.

“It's a huge honour,” Benson said after receiving the trophy at The Star Brisbane.

“I just love retraining all these beautiful horses that trainers and owners send me, and it’s a massive honour to win this.”

Growing up on a 12,000 acre cattle and wheat property near Goondiwindi, horses have been a huge part of Benson’s life from a very young age through mustering cattle and attending pony club.

She achieved her dream of becoming a professional eventing rider after finishing school in 1991, partnering with off-the-track horses from the very start of her career.

Moving to the outskirts of Sydney in 2000 to be closer to the bigger competitions, Benson competed up to 4-star level in eventing, while establishing a large and successful equestrian business that provided agistment, horse training and coaching services.

The 52-year-old relocated back to the Sunshine Coast Region in 2021, where the QOTT Program caught her eye in 2023.

“When I could see what Racing Queensland were doing with the QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers Program, I thought that would be something amazing to get involved in,” Benson said.

“And then I looked into it and could see the incredible support that Queensland Off-The-Track and Racing Queensland gives to all the retrainers, and then I started to get involved, and now I can't stop!

“There are so many beautiful racehorses, and it's just so nice to find amazing homes for them when they've retired from racing.”

Benson has 13 off-the-track horses in her care at the moment, having successfully retrained and rehomed 33 retired racehorses since joining the QOTT Program.

The Chris Waller-trained Desert Icon has been one of her biggest success stories.

After taking home almost $800,000 in career stakes on the track, the thoroughbred retired from racing at Ipswich last year.

The eight-year-old is now kicking goals in dressage and showjumping competitions with his new 13-year-old rider Ruby.

Benson said she got the greatest satisfaction from hearing updates about her retrained racehorses.

“I love hearing from the new owners when they send photos and videos about the horses that we've sold them,” she said.

“Just telling me how much they love their horses and how perfect they are for their new jobs, it’s extremely gratifying.

“It's a wonderful thing for racing, and it's just great that life after racing has been promoted for all these horses.

“They're bred to be world-class racehorses, and if they can be world-class racehorses, they can excel in any other role like dressage, jumping or camp drafting.

“They can just have amazing careers and other lives after racing, so it's very important.”

The property Benson shares with husband Brett features top-level equine infrastructure including three floodlit arenas, grassy post and rail yards and five turnout paddocks.

The horsewoman was keen to thank the people who had helped her along the journey in the retraining space.

“I would love to thank my husband, Brett, who does lots of work at home with fencing, and he has an endless list of jobs,” Benson said.

“He has his own earthworks business, but he's also constantly doing my list of jobs (laughs).

“Also thanks to a wonderful girl called Amy, who's 16 and has left school, and she comes and helps me every day with the horses and rides them and competes them.

“We're a great team, and it would be really difficult without Amy's help.”

“Obviously, the more retrainers there are, then the more horses we can all take after they retire from racing, and the more horses we can take in, the more horses that find beautiful futures after racing.”

RQ Senior Animal Care Manager Kim Duffy said the Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year Award recognised excellence in the care, retraining, and rehoming of retired racehorses in Queensland. 

“It celebrates our dedicated network of Acknowledged Retrainers working behind the scenes to give these horses meaningful second careers across a wide range of disciplines,” Ms Duffy said. 

“This award shines a light on the vital role that retrainers like Amanda play in helping racehorses successfully transition into life beyond the track. 

“I congratulate Amanda on this well-deserved win, which is a testament to the exceptional skill, dedication, and consistently high-quality outcomes she delivers.

 “Her ability to match horses with the right homes and to support them as they develop in new roles speaks volumes about her values, professionalism, and depth of experience.

 “Retired racehorses deserve every opportunity to thrive in their lives after racing. Amanda’s achievement is a clear reflection of the progress being made through the Acknowledged Retrainers Program in delivering those outcomes across Queensland.” 

Click here for more information on the QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers Program.