QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer honoured alongside racing industry legend

By Andrew Smith

Being acknowledged for your dedication to retraining retired gallopers is special enough, but for Alex Kelly, receiving congratulations from an industry legend in Bruce McAvaney was the true icing on the cake.

The Queensland Off-The-Track Acknowledged Retrainer took home the Thoroughbred Care and Welfare Award at last night’s Australian Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (ATIEA) ceremony on the Gold Coast.

Formerly known as the Stud and Stable Staff Awards, the ATIEA celebrate the people whose work sustains Australia’s world-leading thoroughbred industry.

Kelly has been part of the QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers Program since April 2024, and was quick to pay tribute to the team who help her juggle work and motherhood alongside her care of retired racehorses.

“I was so excited, and it was just amazing watching all of the participants and nominees up there,” Kelly said.

“It's not just a win for me either - it's a win for everybody who works with me and supports me, from my husband Jack to the feed man Glen, and our vets and farriers.

“Every day Jack is doing something to make sure that I can put in the time, and in at the feed shop talking to Glen and asking him what I should do and where we're going here and what we're doing with this horse.

“There's so many moving parts to this - I have more commitments than just the horses, and people have moved mountains to make sure that I could get there last night.

“We even had the girls drive two and a half hours just to look after the baby for me for a couple of hours, just so we could go out and go to the awards night.”

The night also included the presentation of the inaugural ATIEA Lifetime Achievement Award to legendary racing broadcaster Bruce McAvaney.

Kelly said receiving recognition from the industry doyen had been the highlight of her extraordinary evening.

“I got back to the table, and I said, 'Oh my gosh guys, Bruce McAvaney hugged me, I can't go and have a shower now,’” Kelly said with a laugh.

“I've been watching him call the Melbourne Cup since I was very young.

“That was so exciting just to be in the same room as him.”

The QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer was not the only Queensland-based winner on the evening.

Brett Killion, who runs master trainer Chris Waller’s Gold Coast satellite stable, took home the Dedication to Racing Award.

Awards were also presented in the categories of Leadership, Dedication to Breeding, Administrative and Ancillary Services, Newcomer and Horsemanship.

Kelly, who took home a $10,000 cash prize, said the gong had provided some extra motivation for future retraining plans.

“The ATIEA is incredibly important - I think the horse industry in general, we don't do it a lot of the time to be showcased,” Kelly said.

“To have that recognition, it lights a bit more of a fire in your belly too.

“We have already been discussing what's next for us - how we can make this bigger and better, where are we improving, and how can we try and affect and help within that industry?

“It also inspires those young people coming up through the ranks too.”

The 30-year-old currently houses 13 horses on her 20-acre hobby farm at Widgee, just west of Gympie.

Five of those horses are currently being retrained as part of the QOTT Program.

Kelly said her biggest thrill as part of the program came from receiving updates on how retired thoroughbreds and standardbreds formerly in her care had progressed in their new lives.

“We are able to make a positive change for these horses and set them up so that they can go and do anything,” Kelly said.

“So to hear that they're being successful down the track is great, and it doesn't necessarily mean that it's competition success.

“It's just that they're someone's best friend, and they are super valuable in that next life.”

RQ Senior Animal Care Manager Kim Duffy said the Thoroughbred Care and Welfare Award provided important recognition for individuals with an exceptional commitment to the care, retraining, and welfare of thoroughbreds beyond racing.

“Alex embodies everything this award represents and is a wonderful example of the positive impact retrainers can have on the welfare and future of retired racehorses,” Ms Duffy said.

“Her recognition on the national stage is incredibly well-deserved and reflects the dedication, patience and care she invests into every horse that comes through her retraining program.

“Behind every successful transition are countless hours of hard work, consistency and passion, and Alex continually goes above and beyond to give her horses the best possible foundation for life after racing.

“Alex’s success is a testament to the important role retrainers play in creating positive post-racing outcomes for retired racehorses, and we are incredibly proud to have her as part of Queensland’s Acknowledged Retrainer community.”

Click here for more information on the QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers Program.