Meet Diana Jack: Giving Old Gold Racing’s Retirees a Second Career

Discover how Diana Jack retrains Old Gold Racing’s retired racehorses for team chasing, trail hunting, and fun rides beyond the track.

From the Track to the Country: How Diana Jack Gives Retired Racehorses a Thriving Second Life

When the final flag drops and the roar of the crowd fades, not every racehorse gallops into a peaceful pasture of retirement. For many, a new chapter begins—one filled with fresh challenges, greener fields, and an entirely different kind of thrill. For Old Gold Racing’s retired, uninjured racehorses, that chapter is often written by one woman: Diana Jack.

Diana is not your average retrainer. With roots in the team chasing world stretching back to the 1980s, she has carved out a reputation as a passionate, hands-on, and trusted figure in the post-racing world. Based in the lush countryside of Warwickshire, Diana takes Old Gold Racing’s ex-racehorses and gently, expertly rewires them for life after the track—whether that’s as a team chaser, family horse, or simply a fun ride for a lucky rider.

With five Old Gold Racing horses currently under her care, Diana is not just retraining horses—she’s rewriting their futures.

A Life in the Saddle

To understand how Diana Jack became such an integral figure in Old Gold Racing’s post-racing world, you need to rewind over four decades.

“I’ve been doing this since the 1980s,” she says, often downplaying the sheer breadth of her experience. A lifelong equestrian and fiercely determined competitor, Diana made her name in team chasing—a thrilling, fast-paced discipline that involves galloping across open countryside in a team of four, leaping over hedges, ditches, and natural obstacles. It’s as adrenaline-fuelled as racing, but with a different kind of camaraderie.

Through years of experience, she developed a deep understanding of horses’ psychology and the specific challenges that come with transitioning a racehorse from the regimented world of racing to the more varied, and often unpredictable, world of trail riding and team chasing.

That knowledge is what makes her so valuable to Old Gold Racing.

The Perfect Partner for Old Gold Racing

Old Gold Racing is proud to be one of the UK’s leading horse racing syndicates. Known for affordable racehorse ownership—where shares are just £60—and a vibrant, engaged community, the syndicate doesn’t just invest in horses for their racing careers. It also invests in their futures.

That’s where Diana comes in.

“Not every horse that finishes racing needs to retire due to injury,” explains Diana. “Many are sound, healthy, and young. They’ve simply finished their racing journey. My job is to give them the tools and time to enjoy the next phase of life.”

For five years now, Diana has been one of Old Gold Racing’s most trusted retrainers, regularly taking in their ex-racehorses once they’ve finished their careers. She’s built a thorough system that prioritises patience, structure, and a whole lot of love.

The Retraining Process: Patience, Pasture, and Progress

The journey from the racetrack to the bridle path isn’t instantaneous. Diana’s process is rooted in understanding the mental and physical shift that comes with stepping away from a life of speed, routine, and tight schedules.

Turnout TimeThe first step? Freedom. “I always give them time off. They’ve been in intense training, often since they were very young. So I turn them out, let them be horses again. They need to decompress.”In these early months, the horses are turned out in rolling fields, able to relax, graze, and shed their old routines.
Back to BasicsOnce they’ve had time to settle, Diana begins reintroducing them to gentle work. “We start with hacking. Lots of walking, then some steady cantering. The focus is on rhythm, balance, and teaching them that not every ride is a race.”She’s quick to mention how intelligent ex-racehorses can be—and how quickly they adapt when handled with care.
Jump Schooling with Homemade FencesOne of the more unique aspects of Diana’s training is her use of homemade fences to reintroduce horses to jumping. “I use natural materials, rustic logs, hedges, things they’d see out trail hunting or on a fun ride. It keeps it real and gets them thinking.”This helps prepare the horses for future trail rides, fun rides, and even events like team chasing—if they’re suited to it.
Finding the Right JobNot every horse is destined for competition, and Diana tailors each horse’s program to suit their temperament and ability. Some become reliable mounts for hire at trail hunts or riding clubs; others enjoy quieter lives as fun rides or family horses.

The Current Crop: Five Former Racers Living New Dreams

At present, Diana has five Old Gold Racing horses under her wing. Each one comes with a unique story and personality—but all of them share a common thread: they were once cheered on by thousands of racing fans, and now they’re enjoying a very different kind of stardom.

These horses are available to hire for:

Team Chasing
Low-level eventing
Pleasure rides
Fun rides across the countryside

Some have even returned to the spotlight in new disciplines, showing off their retraining progress on Diana’s popular Instagram account: @diana_3bs. There, followers can watch their development from lean racing machines into confident, balanced horses ready to take on cross-country courses or simply gallop through a field with their ears pricked forward.

A Community Around Every Horse

One of the most beautiful aspects of Old Gold Racing’s ethos is that ownership doesn’t stop at the track. Syndicate members stay invested in their horse’s life long after its racing career is over.

Thanks to Diana’s social media updates, photos, and videos, many Old Gold Racing shareholders get to watch “their” horses as they learn new skills, jump their first log, or simply enjoy a day in the sun. It’s a continuation of the journey—and a reminder that racehorse welfare goes far beyond winning and losing.

“I love how involved people stay,” says Diana. “They really care about these horses and it shows. There’s a real community feel. It makes my job even more rewarding.”

Why Retired Racehorses Make Brilliant Second Careers

It’s a myth that racehorses can’t adapt to new disciplines. In fact, Diana believes the opposite.

“They’ve been handled daily since they were yearlings, they’re used to routines, they’re fit, and they’re so willing. If you give them the right foundation, they can turn their hoof to anything.”

That foundation is what Diana has perfected over decades of experience. Whether it’s a bold jumper, a careful hack, or a fun ride mount, the transformation is not only possible—it’s inspiring.

What the Future Holds

Diana shows no signs of slowing down. With more horses always on the radar, her stable is a hive of activity. Her long-standing relationship with Old Gold Racing is stronger than ever, and her ability to give their retired stars a second act is unmatched.

Old Gold Racing, meanwhile, continues to lead the industry in racehorse aftercare. It’s not just about affordable ownership—it’s about responsible ownership. From partnering with retrainers like Diana to offering shareholders updates long after the final race, the syndicate ensures that every horse gets the retirement it deserves.

How You Can Get Involved

Whether you're already a shareholder or thinking about becoming one, the post-racing story of Old Gold Racing’s horses is just as exciting as their days on the track.

By purchasing a share, you're not just supporting a horse’s racing career—you’re becoming part of its entire journey. That includes the crucial retraining work of partners like Diana Jack.

Want to follow the lives of our retired heroes? Visit @diana_3bs on Instagram or head to oldgoldracing.com to learn more about our current horses, both on and off the track.

Final Thoughts: Beyond the Finish Line

Diana Jack isn’t just retraining horses—she’s restoring them. She’s showing the world that racehorses are not disposable athletes, but adaptable, intelligent, and loving animals with years of potential beyond the finish line.

Through her work with Old Gold Racing, Diana is helping change the narrative around racing’s end. In her hands, it’s not an end at all. It’s a new beginning—one hedge, one canter, one homemade fence at a time.