Race Club sponsors local horse for Equimillion adventure

A retired Narrandera racehorse will represent both his hometown and the importance of life after racing when competing at this year’s Equimillion with the support of Narrandera Race Club.

For the first time, the club will sponsor a horse and rider, with Yanco horsewoman Debbie Hone to partner retired Narrandera galloper-turned-show hunter Out Of Kilter.

Equimillion showcases the versatility and suitability of thoroughbreds for careers after racing and returns to the Sydney International Equestrian Centre over the October long weekend in 2026, with more than $1 million in prize money on offer across a range of disciplines.

Known fondly as Gus, the 12-year-old Street Cry gelding boasts an elite pedigree, being out of 2007 Crown Oaks winner Arapaho Miss.

Racing success, however, proved harder to come by for Out Of Kilter, recording one win and four minor placings from 20 starts. His lone victory came in a maiden at Balaklava in 2018.

After retiring from racing in 2019, Gus found a new home with Hone and has flourished as a show hunter, where horses are judged on their substance, bone, steady manners and ability to comfortably carry a rider through a full day of hunting.

Funnily enough, Gus was never bought with the intention of competing and was initially a hack for Debbie’s partner.

“This horse was never meant to be a show horse or compete,” Hone laughed.

“I bought him on temperament alone, to teach my non-horse partner to ride, and then I started riding him and worked out he wasn’t half bad.

“I started taking him on the float and to a few shows, and he was absolutely incredible.”

Gus wasn't always destined to be a show hunter, and before arriving in Narrandera, he competed in showjumping, but injury brought that chapter to an end.

“We keep him mainly on the flat events, as after he came off the track, he did a few years of jumping and got a little shoulder injury, and his previous owners were advised that he shouldn’t jump anymore,” Hone said.

“They didn’t want him going to someone who would jump or event him, and we bought him as a plodder.

“After 12 months plodding around and getting him 100 per cent sound again, he’s come good. As it is with a lot of thoroughbreds, he's nervy if you leave him on his own. We were taking his little friend away to shows, and I thought, ‘we can’t keep doing that’, so he started coming on the float too.”

Gus has only been competing this year but has already qualified for the Thoroughbred Spring Fair in November, impressing judges at his very first outing.

Fit and in form, Hone had been considering Equimillion for Gus before the scales tipped when she read Narrandera Race Club would be sponsoring a rider.

“He’s a beautiful horse with that classic show hunter movement,” Hone said.

“He just exceeded my expectations; at his very first show, he qualified for the ridden Off The Track final at the Spring Fair.

“And when I saw on Facebook about the Narrandera Race Club's Equimillion sponsorship, I thought I had to try and give him that opportunity while he is fit and healthy.

“A lot of the horses competing are going to be from the metro or outer regions, but when you are out here, it takes a full day to get a horse there, then a couple of days to settle, then a day to come home after competing.

“It’s a big thing, and the opportunity for this sponsorship is so beneficial, and we appreciate it a lot.

“We would have been on the fence about going because we have to go to Spring Fair in November, and now we have this sponsorship; it makes it a lot easier to get to Equimillion.”

The club hopes its support of Debbie and Gus will further promote the importance of life after racing and encourage more people to consider retraining thoroughbreds.

“Narrandera Race Club is very aware of its responsibilities in facilitating the transition from racing to the next stage of a horse’s life,” Racing Manager Michael Bailey said.

“We want to encourage local horse people to pursue the retraining of OTT (Off The Track) horses for an equestrian future by offering this sponsorship to offset the expenses of entering and attending the Equimillion event in October.

“We are very excited to have Debbie as our 2026 representative at the upcoming Equimillion. She shows great love for the horse, dedication to their training, and a thorough understanding of the welfare of retired racehorses.”

Debbie and Gus beat off a strong field of applicants to earn the Narrandera Race Club sponsorship, with Bailey delighted by the level of interest shown by local riders.

“We had a good field of local applicants, and the choice was difficult, which is a great sign for the concept,” Bailey said.

“As this is Narrandera Race Club’s first time being involved (with Equimillion), we hope a successful campaign will see our involvement grow in the coming years.

“We look forward to working with Debbie to promote the concept, her equestrian career and the showcasing of a well-retrained and cared-for ex-racehorse.”

From a one-win racehorse to a show hunter representing his local race club on one of Australia's biggest Off The Track stages, Gus' second career is proving every bit as rewarding as his first.

Those wanting to meet Debbie and Gus can do so at Narrandera Racecourse on Saturday, August 15, where the pair will parade between races during the TC Lee Memorial Community Race Day.

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