Off-Track Thoroughbreds in South Africa: Buying and Retraining

What to look for in a retired racehorse, what retraining realistically involves, and where former racehorses are rehomed in South Africa.

Breeds · 2026-01-15 · 7 min read

Thoroughbreds leave South Africa's racing industry every year and go on to second careers in jumping, eventing, polo, showing and general riding. Purchase prices are often lower than for purpose-bred sport horses, but the horse arrives part-trained for a very different job — the real cost is time. An off-track Thoroughbred suits a rider with experience, patience and access to good instruction; it is not a beginner's shortcut.

Why Consider an OTT?

• Purchase price is typically modest relative to purpose-bred sport horses, though retraining, livery and veterinary costs continue
• Athleticism and fitness base from race training, which many transfer well to jumping, eventing and polo
• Documented breeding and history, including a race record you can look up
• Steady availability as horses come out of training
• Versatility — with correct retraining, many go on to a range of disciplines. Suitability still depends on the individual horse.

What to Look For

Not every OTT is suitable for a second career. Here's what to assess:

• Soundness — get a thorough vetting; racing is hard on legs
• Temperament — look for horses that are calm in the stable and willing to engage
• Age — 4-7 years old is ideal; young enough to retrain, old enough to have matured
• Racing record — horses that raced successfully tend to have better attitudes than those that never performed
• Reason for retirement — 'lack of ability' is better than 'injury'

The Retraining Process

Months 1-2: Let Down

The horse needs time to decompress. Turnout, relaxation, and a reduction in high-energy feed. Let them be a horse.

Months 3-4: Groundwork & Basics

Lunging, long-reining, and basic flatwork. Teach them to go forward from the leg (not the whip) and accept a contact.

Months 5-6: Under Saddle

Gentle hacking, basic school movements, and exposure to new environments. Poles on the ground, different arenas, riding in company.

Months 7-12: Specialisation

Introduce your chosen discipline. Many OTTs take naturally to jumping. Dressage requires more patience but is absolutely achievable.

Where to Find OTTs in South Africa

• Racing yards — contact trainers directly; many are happy to rehome horses
• OTTTSA (Off-Track Thoroughbred Trust SA) — a dedicated rehoming organisation
• SAHorseSales — filter by breed 'Thoroughbred' and sort by price
• Polo yards — they cycle through Thoroughbreds regularly

Retraining a former racehorse well is rewarding, but treat it as a project with a realistic timeline and professional help rather than as an investment strategy. Resale value is never guaranteed.

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