For all the success, the region's trainers have also had to say goodbye to a number of horses who have retired throughout the year.

It's a crop that includes much-loved veterans such as Budderoo Knight, Captain Manering and Jarrett, as well as talented mares including Tochi, Gemmahra and Liveinthefastlane.

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Rehoming retired racehorses is a process stables take seriously, but also one that is increasingly difficult.

"Finding the right homes is top of your list," Theresa Bateup said. "Horses like Jarrett, you've had them since they were yearlings and they become part of the family.

"They've got so much character, they're part human. The last thing you want to see is them sitting in a paddock doing nothing. A lot of horses enjoy having a purpose.

"It's good when you find good homes, but it's becoming increasingly difficult."

The ideal home for a retired horse depends on a range of factors.

Many mares are placed on a fast-track to the breeding barn, with the Price's Tochi currently in foal after being paired with All Too Hard, while former stablemate Liveinthefastlane had a date with Wootton Bassett.

The path to the breeding barn isn't always smooth.

Gwenda Markwell's Gemmahra broke down in a race at Kembla Grange in August, fracturing her right front leg.

The mare had always been set for a future as a broodmare, however vets initially feared the worst.

Gemmahra underwent surgery and had 10 screws inserted into her leg. The procedure was a success and she will become a broodmare once fully recovered.

Markwell spends considerable time finding homes for her retired horses, working with equine therapist Rebecca Booth to identify potential owners.

Among the crop Booth has recently re-homed include Captain Mannering, Miss Jenny and Jeteye.

"Most of the horses that I re-home, I've treated while they were racing," Booth said. "I know them quite well and try as much as possible to re-home to people I know or who know people I know.

"It's easy to find them homes, but it's not easy to find them good homes. You really want to make sure you're setting them up right.

"A lot of things can happen to a horse when it moves out of the racing environment into another environment. People need to be able to be dedicated to supporting them no matter what shows up."

While a large number of mares end up in the breeding barn, this option is not available for geldings.

The alternative paths are, however, extensive. Some are perfect companion horses, others thrive as working animals on farms.

A small number are used in Equine Assisted Learning programs, while others are used for trail rides.

It's also common for thoroughbreds to transition from racing to the show ring.

It's no surprise animals that are agile and fleet-footed excel in the equestrian world, however much of their success depends on the level of retraining provided.

The likes of Miss Jenny, Old Man's Angel, Noble Boy and Jarrett are currently completing this transition, hoping to follow in the footsteps of Markwell's Group 1 winner Grand Zulu.

The gelding has enjoyed a successful career in equestrian, recently winning a number of jumping competitions.

Noble Boy's transition to eventing is a bittersweet one for Bateup. The stakes winner spent six months at the stable for one disrupted preparation.

Ultimately, the trainer recognises retirement was the best path forward.

"He'll be an excellent equestrian horse," Bateup said. "He's a beautiful natured horse, a lovely big, strong horse. He was lovely to do anything with.

"Nothing went right for us that prep. He'd been such a good horse, the last thing we wanted to do was continue running him where he wasn't quite up to the grade. He'd done so well, I hate seeing older horses going around for the sake of it."

While a number of the recently retired horses enjoyed long racing careers, it is not always the case.

Horses are often retired on medical grounds, including Bateup's Aphro Man who saw his career finish after bleeding from the nostrils for a second time.

He has not moved far, one of Bateup's employees purchasing him for her daughter to ride in pony club.

"It was a shame, but he's going fantastic at his new home," Bateup said. "He's become quite the family horse, my staff-member's daughter does a lot of work with him and has already taken him out to pony club."

While racehorses follow a variety of paths once they retire, there's one thing all trainers can agree on.

Saying goodbye is always difficult.