The Murrumbidgee Turf Club (MTC) is proud to sponsor three local riders and their horses to compete in this year’s Equimillion event hosted at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre from Friday 4 October to Monday 7 October.

The four-day event, hosted by Racing NSW, offers $1 million in prize money exclusively to Off The Track (retired) thoroughbred racehorses, who will compete in Dressage, Jumping, Eventing and Show Thoroughbred disciplines.

With close connections to the MTC, professional 5* event rider Jess Grosmann will compete with former Tim Donnelly trained Duchy of Cornwall, who finished his racing career in 2022. Jess, alongside her husband Matthew, operate Wadari Stables which is located 40kms out of Wagga. The couple and their young family manage racehorse spelling and pretraining, agistment and high-level performance horses.

Local trackwork rider and professional 4* event rider Bessie Dimery, will compete on former Tim Donnelly trained Participator who retired from racing in 2023. Living in Wagga, whilst pursuing a degree in Veterinary Science at Charles Sturt University, Bessie is an avid rider, training Off The Track thoroughbreds, as well as performance horses.

Euroa based horse trainer and professional 4* event rider, Sophie Fox, will compete on former Gary Colvin trained Cellar Champ and former Darrell Burnet trained I Am Richenuff. Sophie also pre-trains thoroughbreds for racing and enjoys schooling thoroughbreds in preparation for life after racing.  

MTC CEO, Jason Ferrario, is looking forward to seeing the sponsored riders and horses compete at the Syndey International Equestrian Centre in early October.

“The MTC is delighted to sponsor local riders and former MTC trained horses in the Equimillion event. The event is a great opportunity for retired thoroughbreds to have a career away from the racetrack after their racing has finished and for riders to compete with the thoroughbreds, showcasing their versatility.”

“The Equimillion event is a great initiative run by Racing NSW and highlights the importance of the retraining and rehoming of thoroughbred horses after their racing career, as well as showcasing their elite athletic ability.”

This year’s Equimillion event has new free entry classes on offer and will attract thoroughbred horses which have retired from racing in the last 12 months.

The MTC is proud to be associated with such a great initiative and will watch on with great interest, to see Jess, Bessie and Sophie test their skills in partnership with their much-loved retired thoroughbreds.