Calm, easy to handle, and has a love for work – Jasper – is the ideal equestrian horse, according to rider Suzie McLean.
Pinball Player, as Jasper was known when representing Belhus Racing on the track, is enjoying his newfound eventing career.
The son of Magnus had 16 career starts, breaking maiden status at Albany in May 2023.
Despite only notching the one career victory, Suzie says Jasper is thriving off the track.
“The reason I chose him is because I wanted to do some low level jumping and I like the forward energy of the thoroughbreds,” Suzie told Racing WA.
“He has a really nice aura and a lovely temperament. He’s a lovely horse, very gentle and easy going and has a working mentality, he likes to have a job to do.”
OTTWA helps to support and promote retired thoroughbred and standardbred horses in their life after racing.
The Racing WA welfare-based initiative has been operating for a decade, with the aim to promote the value of retired racehorses for performance, pleasure, or companionship homes.
Double Bangers, a team in the 2019 edition of Racing WA’s Own The Dream, acquired a share in Pinball Player as a yearling, based on the group’s punting formula of selecting horse with two words starting with the same letter.
Suzie has a strong involvement in the industry and praises the OTTWA initiatives for helping these athletes in the next step of their life post-racing.
“I have shares in racehorses and have had off-the-track-horses in the past, so I’m familiar with the program, and was really happy when it started and for all it offers,” Suzie said.
OTTWA provides clinics as education opportunities for retires racehorses to compete and retrain into their second careers after racing.
The clinics are exclusive to retired racehorses with an OTTWA Passport, which were implemented in 2020 as the first traceability initiative in Australia for retired racehorses.
The OTTWA Passport provides access to clinics with an accredited equestrian coach and eligibility to compete in sponsored events, as well as discounts on products and services from partnered businesses through OTTWA Herd Heroes.
Off the Track WA Marketing Coordinator Leanne Chilton said the resources offered were terrific assets for retired racehorse owners.
“OTTWA Clinics are great teaching opportunities and give owners access to expert tuition when it comes to retraining a horse post-racing,” Leanne said.
Another key element of the program is the sponsorships OTTWA offers. These include events, regional clinics, clubs, and interstate riders which all help to improve the perceived value of owning a retired racehorse.
The program provides sponsorships of roughly 150 events, offering prizing and support for events that offer specific OTT classes, exclusive to retired racehorses.
This allows them to compete in events against horses with similar life experiences for prize incentives provided by OTTWA.
Pinball Player is a regular attendant at OTTWA clinics.
“OTTWA Clinics are great because you can go to them and continue with his re-education, and you get exposure to lots of different instructors,” Suzie said.
Pinball Player now enjoys life on Suzie’s property, embracing a life after racing and preparing for a future in cross country and low-level jumping events.
“I’d absolutely recommend acquiring an off the track horse,” Suzie said.
“OTTWA is certainly creating a career path for these retired horses beyond racing.
“It’s such a great initiative and so good to see these horses having a structured way of retirement, or a further career and to be supported through that as well.”
In its 10 years, OTTWA has grown to be one of the most recognisable brands in the WA equestrian community.
“The positive impact OTTWA has is significant to retired racehorses– with Pinball Player a prime example,” Leanne said.
“He gave so much enjoyment to his owners during his racing career and now he is continuing to so in his post-racing career.
“I’m proud of OTTWA’s role in connecting retired thoroughbreds and standardbreds to their new careers, given they provide so much joy.”