FEATURE RETRAINING OF RACEHORSES
What happens to racehorses when they finish racing? While big winners will take up a place at stud or enjoy a comfortable retirement, what about the horses without as much ability? Giving horses a second chance
T he good news is there are many different activities and events designed for former racehorses – whatever their level of ability on the track. Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), the charity for retired racehorses, has developed an infrastructure of events from dressage to polo, from showing to endurance. For the 10,000-plus thoroughbreds registered with RoR, there is an abundance of opportunities to compete in disciplines such as dressage and showing, as well as bespoke series and classes in another dozen activities. Consequently, there is now an increasing demand for former racehorses among the wider equestrian community. Many of the series run by RoR include attractive targets for their riders to aim for, such as the chance to compete in the main arena at Hickstead in a showing class, be part of the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park, or ride a dressage test in front of Blenheim Palace. Not forgetting The Jockey Club- sponsored RoR National Championships at Aintree, home of the Grand National. Due to the work of RoR enabling thoroughbreds to compete to a high level in a range of equine disciplines, and thanks to the support of key sponsors
Thistlecrack with Alice Gillard: the winner of the 2016 Stayers’ Hurdle and the King George VI Chase at Kempton, Thistlecrack is now enjoying a busy retirement of hunting, cross-country schooling, show jumping and arena eventing
generated by the creation of opportunities for owner-riders to compete and enjoy their horses. For example, in showing alone there are 170 RoR classes a year and there are bespoke series in 15 equestrian disciplines. “One of the most heartwarming aspects of my role remains seeing those horses that have seemingly limited ability when they leave racing, go on to excel in a wholly different discipline. To witness first hand the rider’s enjoyment of taking part in activities, and all involved with that horse’s second career, is a great pleasure.”
such as The Jockey Club and Tattersalls, the finals of these series take place at prestigious events and locations that riders desperately want to compete at. Di Arbuthnot, Chief Executive of RoR, says: “There is little value in investing in the retraining and rehoming of former racehorses if there isn’t a long-term purpose or role for these horses beyond the first stage of aftercare. “To meet the supply of horses leaving racing, there has to be a genuine demand, a commercial demand, among the wider equine community for former racehorses. That demand has been
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