Following a hugely successful inaugural event, the second annual Off The Track Carnival has expanded to three days of competition and will welcome up to 500 thoroughbreds to Boneo Park on the Mornington Peninsula, cementing its place as the largest equestrian event dedicated to thoroughbreds in Victoria.
Due to insatiable demand, entries for last year’s Off The Track Carnival were filled well in advance of the closing date, so competitors are encouraged to secure their place early for the opportunity to compete for a share of more than $260,000 in prizemoney across 23 championship classes.
The elevated prizemoney pool, boosted by RV’s ongoing support as principal sponsor, ensures that the 2026 Carnival will also be the richest thoroughbred-exclusive equestrian competition in Victoria.
Entries for all classes are to be made on the Boneo Park website and close on 1 August 2026.
Importantly, the Off The Track Carnival remains accessible to all riders, with no membership required and entry fees capped at $100 per horse per class, inclusive of administration and facility fees.
Competitors will contest championship classes across Dressage, Combined Training, Show Horse and Show Jumping, with six standalone Rising Star classes introduced this year in response to strong competitor feedback from the inaugural event.
The Rising Star classes are designed to encourage the retraining and uptake of thoroughbreds recently active in racing, being those that have raced or officially trialled within two years of the event start date (from 11 September 2024 onwards).
Boneo Park Chief Executive Officer, Greta Cooper, said the opening of entries marked an exciting milestone in the countdown to this year’s Carnival.
“Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, we’re thrilled to officially open entries for what has quickly become one of the highlights of Victoria’s equestrian calendar.
“The 2026 Off The Track Carnival will be bigger in every sense — more days of competition, more championship classes, more prizemoney and more opportunities for retired racehorses and their riders to showcase their talents.
“With an enhanced spectator experience, and free entry, we encourage the wider community to be a part of what will be an exciting and entertaining event.”
RV General Manager – Equine Welfare, Melissa Ware, added: “The response to this event demonstrates just how passionate Australia’s Off The Track community is and reflects the increasing popularity of thoroughbreds within equestrian circles.
“With expanded competition, increased prizemoney and the return of so many popular event features, including the Celebrity Show Jumping Challenge, we can’t wait to see Boneo Park come alive again this September as hundreds of thoroughbreds and their riders compete at Victoria’s largest Off The Track event.”
Open to Off The Track (OTT) thoroughbreds from all states and territories, the Carnival showcases the versatility, athleticism and adaptability of the thoroughbred beyond racing, while highlighting the many successful pathways and positive outcomes available to horses once their racing careers have come to an end.
That was evidenced to great effect at the recent Melbourne International 3 Day Event, where OTTs accounted for 44 per cent of equine competitors across the long weekend including talented racehorse Wu Gok, who finished on the podium in the headline CCI4*-L (equivalent to Olympic standard).
For more information on this year’s Off The Track Carnival, visit the Boneo Park and Off The Track Community websites.
Click here to enter the 2026 Off The Track Carnival hosted by Boneo Park.
Source: Racing Victoria/Boneo Park press release
