Without A Fight heads 500-horse field as Off The Track Carnival expands
The three-day Boneo Park program offers more than $260,000 across 23 classes, with competition places filling within hours of entries opening.
Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight will headline more than 500 retired racehorses at Racing Victoria’s second Off The Track Carnival, which runs at Boneo Park from September 11–13.
The Mornington Peninsula event has expanded from two days to three, with more than $260,000 in prizemoney available across 23 championship classes in Dressage, Combined Training, Show Horse and Show Jumping.
Competition places filled within hours of entries opening. Entry fees are capped at $100 per horse per class, while admission and on-site parking are free for spectators.
The expansion follows an inaugural carnival in 2025 that attracted more than 380 retired racehorses. That edition offered $235,000 across 17 championship classes, meaning this year’s field has grown by more than 120 horses while the prizemoney pool has risen by at least $25,000.
Without A Fight, who completed the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double, will be joined by former Group 1 performers Hartnell, Eduardo, Communist and Lion’s Roar.
Horses that raced in Hong Kong, Ireland, Germany and Singapore are also entered, while the field includes thoroughbreds bred in eight countries. Eligibility is open to horses registered in the Australian or an international Thoroughbred Stud Book.
Racing Victoria General Manager of Equine Welfare Melissa Ware said demand for places reflected the growth of competition opportunities for retired racehorses.
“To see all 500 competition spaces taken within hours of entries opening demonstrates not only the affordability and popularity of the Carnival, but also the continued growth of the Off The Track community and the strong relationship that exists between the racing and equestrian sectors,” Ware said.
High Torque will contest the Rising Star Dressage and Combined Training classes with former trainer Dean Grass. The country galloper won the Yulong Rising Stars Challenge at the Melbourne International 3-Day Event earlier this year, only days after his final racetrack start.
The carnival has introduced six standalone Rising Star championships for horses whose last race or official-trial appearance was within the preceding two years. Seymour Racing Club is supporting High Torque’s campaign after appointing Grass as its inaugural Off The Track Ambassador.
The MRC Foundation Celebrity Show Jumping Challenge will return on Sunday, with Jamie Melham and Olympian Amanda Ross among nine riders. Ross will partner former Caulfield Cup fourth-placegetter Constantinople.
MRC Foundation will donate $500 to KIDS Foundation for each rider who clears the optional Melbourne Racing Club Joker Jump as part of a clear round.
