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ABOUT US

OUR STORY

ITR International Thoroughbred Retirement was founded in 2017 by Amy Taylor, as a new initiative to help facilitate the retirement of internationally based, retired racehorses.

Our mission is to give a Thoroughbred not just a new home, but a successful and healthy future beyond the racetrack. ITR’s nationally recognized Thoroughbred Adoption program is tailored to each individual horse’s needs – dedicated to ensuring the highest quality of care & training that delivers on Horse Welfare, Well-being and Integrity.
Creating Futures – Tracked for life.

MEET OUR FOUNDER

The creator of ITR, Amy, has personally dedicated her time to the re-homing and re-education of over 100 Thoroughbred Race horses at her property Affinity Park in Australia. This was recognized in 2015 when she was awarded one of the prestigious HH Sheikh Mohammad’s, Godolphin Awards, for Thoroughbred Care and Welfare.

Her vision is to expand this program, using her 15 + years of experience in the Racing Industry as a Jockey, Trainer and Owner, to ensure your Racehorse has the best chance at a quality life after racing. Utilizing a dedicated network of Experienced Re-trainers throughout Australia and New Zealand, this program combines their efforts to achieve a diverse range of new careers depending upon the individual needs of the horse.

Now residing in Hong Kong, Amy has developed ITR so that Overseas horses have excellent retirement opportunities irrespective of their location. The ITR program is designed not just to find a horse a new home, but to ensure each horse receives a re-education program and a future home suitable for their personality, attributes and potential to enjoy a new career. This process is designed to consider the welfare of the horse as the first priority and maintain maximum transparency.

AMYTAYLOR-racehorse retirement program award

MEET OUR FOUNDER

The creator of ITR, Amy, has personally dedicated her time to the re-homing and re-education of over 100 Thoroughbred Race horses at her property Affinity Park in Australia. This was recognized in 2015 when she was awarded one of the prestigious HH Sheikh Mohammad’s, Godolphin Awards, for Thoroughbred Care and Welfare.

Her vision is to expand this program, using her 15 + years of experience in the Racing Industry as a Jockey, Trainer and Owner, to ensure your Racehorse has the best chance at a quality life after racing. Utilizing a dedicated network of Experienced Re-trainers throughout Australia and New Zealand, this program combines their efforts to achieve a diverse range of new careers depending upon the individual needs of the horse.

Now residing in Hong Kong, Amy has developed ITR so that Overseas horses have excellent retirement opportunities irrespective of their location. The ITR program is designed not just to find a horse a new home, but to ensure each horse receives a re-education program and a future home suitable for their personality, attributes and potential to enjoy a new career. This process is designed to consider the welfare of the horse as the first priority and maintain maximum transparency.

OUR RE-TRAINERS

Silver Sky Equine

Silver Sky Equine

Skye Liikanen grew up riding horses from a young age. As a teen, Skye was very competitive to National level in both Dressage and Showing, being a member of the QLD Young Rider Squad and a HOTY winner. Skye spent over four years as a trick rider/performer at the Australian Outback Spectacular whilst studying to be a school teacher. Skye made the decision to follow her passion of horses to North America.

For two years she was working as an assistant trainer to the incredibly talented Dan James of the Double Dan duo, who is based in the United States at the Australian Equine Performance Centre in Kentucky. Working for Dan and Elizabeth James was an incredibly rewarding experience, where Skye was able to travel extensively throughout America assisting with clinics, expo’s and performances as well as learn from some amazing coaches and trainers who came to the Centre to teach.

One of Skye’s main goals in America was to take part in the Retired Racehorse Project’s TB Makeover. Skye found her partner Brumby for this in April of 2018 and had six months prepare him for the Freestyle and Dressage components of the competition in October. Brumby showed the true versatility of the TB by winning the Dressage Championship and placing 4th in the Freestyle in a field of over 100 competitors. Skye was also able to successfully take out clients’ dressage horses who had been started under saddle at the centre to their first competitions with wins and placings.

One of the highlights of working for Dan was being his travelling groom at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon USA with the reining stallion Don Magnum as part of the Australian team. Since returning to Australia, Skye has been working with various client horses and has made a great partnership with International Thoroughbred Retirement where she re-educates thoroughbreds who return from Hong Kong and helps find suitable homes for them. She has been competing in various dressage competitions on her own and client horses with great success. Skye also enjoys various western/cow horse disciplines and hopes to become competitive in these events in the future.

Mark Lilley & Paul Austin

Paul Austin & Mark Lilley

Stately Park – Tamborine QLD, Australia

Meet Paul Austin from Paul Austin Equitation!

Show rider, handler, judge, instructor… Brisbane based Paul Austin has worn many hats throughout his career. However, one thing is for sure.

For years, his name has been synonymous with the highest echelons of showing and he is well known throughout Australasia for his vast knowledge of the sport and his meticulous attention to detail. He has been involved with many of the modern show ring greats both as an instructor and as a competitor.

Consistently taking the often unbroken or green horse right through the ranks up to wins and Champions at Royal Show level. Paul is admired for his work ethic and tact with the somewhat fragile children that get nervous and feel the pressure.

Paul brings much passion to the horse world and along with that knowledge and skill. Paul is available to conduct clinics anywhere in Australia and New Zealand.

Caroline Price-horse trainer

Caroline Price

Advika Park - Melbourne, Australia

Introducing Caroline Price! Caroline really needs no introduction to the horse world. Based in Melbourne, Victoria, Caroline has been heavily involved in the Racing Industry.

She has extensive experience with Re-Training Retired Race horses and is also a Racing Victoria acknowledge Re-Trainer. She has produced quality horses in the Show Jumping arena with horse going on to compete around the World.

Her eye for Turnout as well as Conditioning and Training a Thoroughbred will be a massive asset to our Re-Homing Program.

Leesa Banicevich

Leesa Banicevich

Regent Park - Cambridge, New Zealand

Leesa Anderson from Regent Park, Cambridge New Zealand has cemented herself as one of New Zealand's prominent Show Horse producers.

Leesa is heavily involved in the New Zealand Show Horse council and produces some of New Zealand's top show horses off the track as well as breeds the odd Thoroughbred to Race or sell as Yearlings.

Her knowledge in training an Off the Track Thoroughbred is unquestionable and we are excited to be working with her.

Tracey & Steve Stobie

Taupo, New Zealand

Tracey and Steve work out of their gorgeous property located not far from the famous Taupo Lake.

They have extensive knowledge in the Thoroughbred industry as well as being very successful in training their own horses for Hunting/Jumping.

Their location provides the perfect setting for our Rehab horses, with undulating hills, quality grazing and plenty of space to give each horse the best start before beginning the re-training process.

Julie Legg - Tui Lodge - International Thoroughbred Retirement Retrainer

Julie Legg

Tui Lodge

Originally from New Zealand, Julie moved to Australia many years ago, where she set up Tui Lodge in Merryvale QLD. She quickly gained a great reputation for the work she does with rehoming Thoroughbreds off the track. Julie and her wonderful group of young riders compete locally and interstate at events, and Julie herself has competed internationally.

Tui Lodge offers many services from breaking and training to sales and advertising. Julie's experience in a variety of disciplines and her understanding on how to correctly re-train a Thoroughbred, makes her a great asset to our team of Re-Trainers.

Shory Park - Horse Retrainers

Shory Park

Victoria Australia

Shory Park is one of Australia's leading thoroughbred retraining and rehoming groups based in Victoria, Australia. Producing large quantities of thoroughbreds trained to the highest of standards to fantastic new homes after racing.

With an amazing team of riders, with experience in a range of disciplines, Shory Park pride themselves in matching horses and ponies with suitable homes to ensure enduring lifelong partnerships.

“I would love to be able to make a retirement program for every racehorse in Australia and Hong Kong. As well as guaranteeing the future for every racehorse it would assure the public that it isn’t the end, but the beginning, for these horses once their racing careers are over.”

Amy Taylor – Founder ITR