In a bid to improve the welfare and traceability of racehorses once they retire from the sport, the Horse Welfare Board of British Racing, in partnership with Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) and Hartpury University, has launched Britain’s first-ever Thoroughbred Census. This initiative is part of the board's five-year welfare strategy, "A Life Well Lived," which aims to achieve and maintain the highest standards of equine welfare across the sport of horse racing. The link to the census can be found at the end of this article.
Why is a Thoroughbred Census Necessary?
The census comes in response to an identified gap in data due to low levels of equine identification document updates once thoroughbreds leave racing and enter private ownership. This lack of data makes it difficult to trace thoroughbreds and ensure they are receiving the appropriate care and support after their racing careers. The census is set to be carried out over a six-month period, from 28 June to 31 December 2023, and all owners of former racehorses are invited to participate. This data will enable British Racing and its official aftercare charity, Retraining of Racehorses, to build more informed and helpful communities, better support owners, and provide access to educational resources and routes to compete if desired.
According to the Horse Welfare Board, data for former racehorses reduces significantly when they leave racing and go into private ownership, with general passport compliance at an average of 20% across the equine world. This lack of data makes it difficult to know what happens to horses once they leave racing, and whether they are receiving appropriate care and support. The census's long-term goal is to enable informed and helpful communities to be built to support thoroughbred owners, as well as to provide opportunities for retired horses to continue to compete in the equine industry. The census is an important milestone, helping to build a more sustainable and welfare-focused racing industry.
Final Thoughts
The Thoroughbred Census launched by British Racing, in partnership with Hartpury University and Retraining of Racehorses, is a significant initiative aimed at improving the welfare of racehorses beyond their racing careers. The census's focus on data collection and traceability will make it easier to track the whereabouts and welfare of racehorses after they leave racing. If thoroughbred owners complete the census, it will enable British Racing and its aftercare charity to provide better support, access to educational resources, and routes to compete if desired. With Thoroughbred Census, British racing is taking a proactive approach to ensuring the long-term welfare of former racehorses, and it is a significant step forward for the sport.
TO FILL IN THE CENSUS CLICK HERE.
