Quentin Wallace, Founder of International Horse Transport Company IRT, Passed Away

Dressage

Australia

Quentin Wallace, the founder of international horse transport company IRT, has passed away.

A pioneer and a visionary, and a true gentleman, Wallace was more than the creator of one of the world’s most trusted names in equine transport. He was a man who built bridges across continents, always with horses at heart and excellence as his guide.

Quentin’s story began in the UK, but it was his first trip to Australia in 1966 that would set the course for a lifetime of innovation and adventure. After a brief stint as a jackaroo in western Victoria, he returned home with a clear vision and a pioneering spirit. Recognising a growing demand for horses in Australia, he began shipping them by sea, forging the first links in what would become a truly global enterprise.

Like many great stories, Quentin’s path wasn’t without challenge. In 1972, equine disease halted sea transport, seemingly closing a door. However Quentin saw opportunity. With determination and foresight, he turned to the skies, becoming involved in the airborne transport of horses between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, in doing so, pioneering the Shuttle Stallion business. This was not just a new chapter — it was the beginning of a revolution in the industry.

Armed with deep knowledge of international routes and a profound understanding of the animals he served, Quentin began to chart new territory. He wasn’t just moving horses — he was creating an infrastructure, a system, a promise: that horses could travel across the world with safety, care, and professionalism.

Over time, IRT grew from Quentin’s one-man vision to a team of over 100 staff, with dedicated offices in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, the UK, and Germany. Quentin’s ambition was never about size, it was about standards. He worked tirelessly to refine the transportation process, to reduce risk and travel time, and to ensure every horse, no matter where they were going, received the highest standard of care. IRT recently celebrated its 50th anniversary as a global leader in horse transportation.

By collaborating with government bodies and key industry partners, he turned complex logistics into a seamless, trusted service. What Quentin built wasn't just a company, it was a benchmark. He wasn’t driven by recognition, but by results. By making things better. By doing things right.

Wallace and IRT setting the standard for horse shipping

The result is a legacy that stretches far beyond business: countless horses moved safely around the world, relationships built on trust, and a company that continues to set the standard for international equine transport.

To those who knew Quentin personally, he was a mentor and a friend. His passion for logistics, horses and the people who care for them was evident in every decision he made.

Wallace lived a life with purpose, pursed a vision with courage, and was a man whose work changed an industry forever. He leaves behind not just a global company, but a global equine community, one that will carry his vision forward with pride.