With the first quarter of the 2023/24 racing season completed, NZTR’s Welfare team wanted to update industry participants on the 1% Levy on prizemoney.
As of 31 October, the 1% fund spend for the current season was NZ$250,025, we have outlined details of the funding allocation below.
One of the new initiatives the 1% Levy funded was the Kick Up for Kiwis workshops. These workshops were well attended by participants from a variety of roles in the industry and the feedback we received gives us confidence that people who attended gained some key learnings that they can take forth into their day-to-day activities.
We know that Thoroughbred welfare and protecting racing’s social licence are industry-wide responsibilities and the Kick Up for Kiwis workshops were a great way to start conversations and learn how to constructively defend our industry, while showcasing the positive side to animal welfare critics.
Second career sponsorship continues to be an important part of the 1% Levy. It is imperative we further incentivise Thoroughbred ownership as the sport horse breed of choice, this will drive demand for off-the-track Thoroughbreds giving them the opportunity for a purposeful second career.
To date this season there are over 470 Thoroughbreds registered for the Thoroughbreds in Equestrian Sports (TiES) Series. Particularly pleasing is that 93 of these were new registrations from August 2023.
After consultation with the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS), we will support ridden Thoroughbred show horse classes this season. An Accumulator Series which will be further developed in the 2024/25 season.
The RAS Horse Equestrian Executive felt that it was too late to pull together a full-on Series for the 2023-24 term but will aim to revamp the Series together with increased sponsorship going forward.
Polo continues to be a wonderful advocate for the versatility of Thoroughbreds. The summer calendar has been published with events across the country and I encourage you to head along to a tournament and see for yourself how well-suited Thoroughbreds are to Polo as a second career, you won’t be disappointed. You can find the calendar HERE.
I’d like to recognise the importance of our Acknowledged Retrainers network and the challenges they have endured this season. There has been decreased demand for off-the-track Thoroughbreds over the past year, with weather and the financial climate likely contributing factors.
NZTR Acknowledged Retrainers have continued to provide a valuable service to the industry despite these challenges and we can all do our bit to help mitigate some of these issues.
The onus is on us to ensure any horse consigned to an Acknowledged Retrainer is delivered in good body condition, recently shod, and with full disclosure of physical and behavioural history. If these initial needs aren’t met, the 1% Levy is used to help cover costs, meaning it is redirected from other areas.
If you require additional support, would like to share ideas or tell us your story about a Thoroughbred in its second career, please do not hesitate to reach out to NZTR’s Welfare team thoroughbredwelfare@nztr.co.nz.
Justine Sclater
NZTR Head of Welfare and Sustainability
Expenditure
Acknowledged Retrainers Funding
This quarter $61,088 of the 1% Levy has been allocated to the Acknowledged Retrainers network.
Increased support and funding recognising the benefits of horses having professional support during the transition from racehorse to sport horse.
So far this season, 165 Thoroughbreds have been rehomed via the Acknowledged Retrainers network. This is on target for the goal of 400 rehomed horses we set for season 2023/24.
NZTR acknowledges that there are pressures towards rehoming Thoroughbreds both domestically and internationally, with reduced sale prices required to meet the market. As a result, the revenue Retrainers receive from the sale of retrained Thoroughbreds has significantly declined.
The rehoming of Thoroughbreds is one aspect that puts racing’s social licence at risk, therefore Acknowledged Retrainers need to remain financially viable so they can continue to provide a valuable service to the industry.
Therefore, contributions to NZTR Acknowledged Retrainers have risen this year with $200,000 as the forecasted spend for the 2023/24 term.
This quarter the Acknowledged Retrainer funding went to the following areas:
Second Career Sponsorship
This quarter $54,857 from the 1% Levy has been allocated to second career sponsorship.
It is imperative we continue to develop opportunities and incentives for Thoroughbreds competing in athletic second careers to promote Thoroughbred ownership in the sport horse community.
We are currently working on developing more pathways and a strategic approach to the allocation of prizemoney across disciplines to ensure the sustainability of this funding.
TiES
The TiES Series received a boost for the 2023/34 season and $16,700 has been paid out as prizemoney this quarter.
There is over $76,000 from the 1% fund on offer to eligible competitors across the two Series this season.
Royal Agricultural Society
After consultation with the RAS, NZTR will support ridden Thoroughbred show horse classes this season as well as a three-show Accumulator Series that will include the South Island Premier Show, the New Zealand National Horse and Pony Show and the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show.
Thoroughbreds currently comprise a high percentage of horses competing in the show ring and NZTR is working towards Thoroughbreds being a recognised breed within the RAS.
NZ Polo
In the 2023/24 season, NZTR has committed $50,000 towards recognising the success of Thoroughbreds in Polo.
Sponsorship includes the Best Playing Thoroughbred prizes for each grade at tournaments across New Zealand throughout the Polo season including the following tournaments:
- The Savile Cup (27 February – 3 March 2024)
- The New Zealand Open (13 - 18 February 2024)
- The Mystery Creek Ladies Tournament (23 – 24 February 2024)
Prizemoney for the Best Playing Thoroughbred at The Savile Cup and New Zealand Open is as follows:
- High Goal - $3,000 NZD incl. GST
- All Other Grades - $1,500 NZD incl. GST
Welfare Assistance
$4,687.91 has been spent this quarter helping one Thoroughbred who was found to be in a state of neglect.
NZTR are notified of Thoroughbreds in need of assistance via the SPCA, MPI, RIB and selected rescue groups.
NZTR is working towards a more strategic approach with the SPCA and MPI to have a Regional Temporary Care Network throughout the country.
Equine Research
This quarter $35,157.44 has been spent on equine research.
The majority of this allocation is funding the NZTR Equine Mortality Limb Retrieval Programme which is contracted to Massey University. Previously this was underwritten by the New Zealand Equine Trust.
The research focuses on post-mortem work of equine fatality in racing, trialling, and training to identify any changes present in the limb that may have predisposed the horse to an injury that required euthanasia.
It is important to generate New Zealand data to reduce potential injuries and provide transparent information to the industry and the general public.
This quarter the Equine Mortality Review Panel conducted reviews of six fatalities of which five were raceday starters.
NZ Horse Ambulance
This quarter $47,451 was allocated to the Horse Ambulance.
This is in addition to the funds that the Trust raises to cover capital and other operational costs so it can be present at every raceday and trial meeting. In the first quarter of the 2023/24 season, the Horse Ambulance has been deployed nine times on Thoroughbred racedays.
Population Analysis and Traceability
This quarter $19,081.78 has been spent on population analysis and traceability.
Collection of data and providing reporting systems are vital to ensure NZTR can provide up-to-date statistics to the industry and public. The data analysis provides useful information and reporting, we are looking forward to the completion of this project which is estimated to be the end of December and sharing the information with our stakeholders in the New Year.
Communication and Education
This term $27,701.29 has been spent on communication and education.
Kick Up for Kiwis
At the beginning of the season the Welfare team reached out to Kick Up for Racing’s Vicky Leonard and as a result, hosted three workshops held in October. The workshops took place in Auckland, Matamata and Palmerston North and were attended by approximately 160 people from a range of roles in the industry including Clubs, Trainers, Jockeys, Stud and Stablehands, Media, Administration, University Students, NZTR Acknowledged Retrainers, Owners, Breeders, Track Managers and members of the RIB.
Each three-hour workshop covered the psychology of social change and what this means for Kick Up. Topics covered included how to respond to criticism of racing in person and online, as well as how content marketing, research and language all affect the conversations about racing. Participants were also made aware of where they can access accurate and fact-checked information to defend racing against its critics and provide a balanced view of false claims about the industry.
NZTR is currently working on formulating New Zealand-specific facts and figures that can be circulated to industry participants so they can feel confident when refuting mistruths. The industry needs to be transparent about statistics, showcase success and use the science available to prove what it does works with the natural evolution of the Thoroughbred.
We encourage the New Zealand industry to have a strong relationship with Kick Up for Racing and support the work they do, as they are a huge asset to have when protecting racing’s social licence.
There has been some great feedback and the workshops were a good launch pad going forward when working to protect racing’s social licence. We are grateful to Vicky and the time she dedicated towards presenting our workshops.
For more information on Kick Up head to their website HERE.
Animal Welfare Network Aotearoa
This quarter Justine represented NZTR at the Animal Welfare Network Aotearoa/Social Licence Workshop. Her presentation was under the banner of ‘Animals in Recreation’ and looked at providing a balanced view of false claims and mistruths around Thoroughbred racing and breeding.
There was a variety of speakers from various organisations that included DOC, Landcare, Rodeo, Greyhound Racing and companion and farm animals. Networking and hearing other organisations’ challenges and solutions to welfare issues is a valuable experience that can only benefit NZTR and the industry.
Equifest
The NZTR team was on site at the three-day Equifest in Taupō this October promoting the use of Thoroughbreds as sport horses and the educational opportunities in the industry. This is always a popular event and a great way to connect with the equestrian community.
This year the stand had a constant stream of visitors learning about Thoroughbreds in their lives after racing, riding the mechanical horse and taking home LOVERACING.NZ merchandise.
Your feedback is always welcome. Please email Justine Sclater at Justine.sclater@nztr.co.nz.