I’ve been waiting for this update for a little while, I knew it couldn’t be too far away!
The Hunter and Benson families have been great friends forever. We all went to Mungindi Pony Club Camp in Western New South Wales in the 1980s. I was at boarding school with Scott’s sisters, and we all evented together for many years.
Scott Hunter, who now lives in the NSW Hunter Valley, contacted me early in the year and asked me to let him know the next time we had a horse here that was a way above average jumper, as his children are now competing, and he wanted to be able to join them.
As soon as I saw ‘Sightseer’ (a 6yo by I Am Invincible) jump, I told Scott we had his horse.
Scott took Sightseer home in February and he’s been everything he hoped for. Scott is incredibly appreciative of the Queensland Off The Track (QOTT) retraining program which has enabled him to find exactly the horse he was looking for.
Scott said ‘Prince’ (renamed by Scott’s young children ‘because he looks like a Prince’ 👑), “Is a versatile all rounder built to perform. He’s adapted to his new career like a duck to water. He is successfully completing jump club days at 90cm with a lot of potential. We are looking forward to the future. Thank you Amanda and thank you Racing Queensland.”
Scott also took home Bejeweled who he is telling me is an even better jumper than Prince. I can’t wait for the next update!!
Forest View Thoroughbreds
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Amanda Benson: 2025 QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year
2024 Runner Up Retrainer of the Year
Retraining and rehoming retired racehorses.
https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/animal-care/off-the-track/acknowledged-retrainers/amanda-benson
These are 4 of our very classy latest arrivals enjoying time in the ‘chill-out zone’ last month.
Reggie’s Folly
Impaler
Oakwood Target
Galifianakis
It’s incredible seeing the transformation from when the horses arrive straight from the track, spend 6 weeks in a little herd in this 20 acre paddock, and then come into work.
They are always so ready and willing and happy to begin their new careers. Almost like wise old stock horses ☺️.
10/06/2026
There is a great article here about all the OTTs who starred at Melbourne International 3 Day Event, particularly Wu Gok, ridden by Zachary Thorne. They finished 2nd in the CCI4*-L - equivalent to Olympic standard!
Wu Gok is by Sebring, the same sire as our Pretty Little Lass.
Lassie is leaving for her new home next week. Her new owner is an extremely excited, and very very lucky teenage girl 😌.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JLT6na3fp/?mibextid=wwXIfr
🏇 From earning more than $800,000 on the racetrack to standing on the podium at one of Australia's premier eventing events, Wu Gok continues to showcase the versatility of the Thoroughbred.
Ridden by Zachary Thorne, the former racehorse climbed from 11th after dressage to finish second in the feature CCI4-L* at the 2026 Melbourne International Three-Day Event, while also claiming the Best Performed Off the Track Thoroughbred award in the class.
But Wu Gok wasn't the only Thoroughbred making headlines at Werribee. Read the full story to see how other retired racehorses performed across the weekend. 👇
www.ottcommunity.com.au/ott-news/eba05d02-d8da-5abc-9391-1ca9b367b6d5
📸 Racing Photos
07/06/2026
An awesome show jumping training day yesterday, brilliantly organised by Buderim Horse and Pony Club.
We took 3 of our Queensland Off The Track retraining horses. It was so good for them and they were very well behaved.
Hector de Maris, Roman Heir and Mr Casino, all very much ready for their new homes.
06/06/2026
Hector de Maris jumping at home this week. Imagine if the jumps had fill 😂😂.
He is very forward and he’s also quite sensitive. So he won’t be for everyone. But with that forward and sensitivity comes the most careful and incredible jump you could ever imagine.
He is a SERIOUS jumper, so much scope, and a beautiful technique.
With time and patience Hector has already come so far. He will suit an ambitious and experienced rider.
Hector is by Camelot. He was born on 17/1/18 in Ireland and is 16hh.
05/06/2026
Embezzled Heart (Boss) doing cattle work with Holly at Linda Hingst - Elite Performance Horses on Sunday and working at home with Aimee during the week.
He is SO cute, and so keen to put 💯 into everything we ask him to do.
You name it, he’s happy to give everything a go, and always with a smile on his face.
Boss is 5yo, 15.3hh, was born in New Zealand and is by Embellish. He only raced a few times (last race was in 7/9/25) - we don’t think he was built for speed 😆, but his jump is WAY above average 😊.
Hollywood North and Imogen King at COTS CAMP proving to the world just how versatile thoroughbreds really are.
At home North does dressage and jumping, but you can see he’s also extremely good at chasing cattle…… and…… not long ago, he was a racehorse - $287,990 prize money 😲.
I wonder what else he is capable of 🤔!!
North is by Vancouver. It’s interesting that his dam (Holy Moly) is by Holy Roman Emperor (the same sire as our Roman Heir). They both have incredible temperaments and are such stunning looking horses.
02/06/2026
Look at Roman Heir 😍.
Roman is an 8-year-old by Holy Roman Emperor. He has the most beautiful temperament you can ever imagine and begs to be caught any time we go anywhere near his paddock. He is always happy 😊.
His trot is amazing and his canter just floats!
Roman was trained by DG Murphy Racing and finished racing at the end of last year. We LOVE him!!
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