Dear Stakeholders,
With the first quarter of the 2024/2025 season completed, this edition of The 1% will provide an update on the spend of the Equine Welfare Levy to date.
The total spend this quarter was $223,672 with each allocation outlined below.
The total budget for the 2024/2025 season is $1,051,192. This financial allocation is an increase on the previous season which reflects the growth in stakes nationwide.
We continue to have a strong focus on strengthening relationships between the thoroughbred and equestrian communities. I’d like to thank the stakeholders and participants who have given their support for this collaborative approach, which works towards the overall sustainability of our industry.
Likewise, the continued support of a variety of equestrian disciplines via the 1% levy has been greatly appreciated by the sport horse community. This is an evolving partnership which is under constant review, and we welcome feedback and ideas for new initiatives.
One such initiative is the popular education clinics “Know Your Thoroughbred”. These subsidised workshops aim to improve horsemanship, promote Thoroughbred versatility and help those who choose to have an off the track thoroughbred increase their knowledge base to assist with the transition of racehorse to sport horse.
I’m pleased to report the population analysis project is nearing completion and we look forward to sharing the traceability report in the new year.
Challenges around rehoming persist and I would like to recognise the NZTR Acknowledged Retrainer Network and others in our thoroughbred community who work tirelessly to ensure the right homes are found so our Thoroughbreds can lead a purposeful life after racing. There is no one-size-fits-all approach and the Retrainers’ dedication and expertise is to be applauded.
Our team has also been navigating difficult situations that require us to provide support when Thoroughbreds require assistance. Unfortunately, the outcomes are not always as we would wish, however the satisfaction gained when we find solutions and positive outcomes outweigh the challenges.
The 1% Levy provides an opportunity for us to support a range of thoroughbred welfare initiatives. Not only is this good for our horses and those who have built their lives around caring for them, but the 1% levy contributes to ensuring the longevity of our industry in an environment where we must continue to protect our social license. For that we are grateful, and we look forward to building on the great initiatives we already have in place.
On behalf of the Animal Welfare Team at NZTR, I wish you and our four-legged equine friends all a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
Justine Sclater
NZTR Head of Welfare and Sustainability
Acknowledged Retrainers Funding
First quarter spend: $84,593 (Season allocation: $300,000)
NZTR Acknowledged Retrainers will still be a major spend of the 1% levy this season and can be divided into several areas.
This quarter $38,700 was allocated to Retrainer fees. This term we have introduced a split payment approach to support the network. This payment is $500, being $300 on arrival and $200 on completion of the traceability paperwork.
A robust process has been put in place to ensure all the necessary information is received and completed for a Retrainer to qualify for this fee.
This has resulted in improved data collection and a greater oversight of the network. It is now standard practice that horses received through the network must have their retirement paperwork (SR24 forms) completed by their authorised person.
To qualify for the $300 arrival fee the Horse Arrival form is completed so the Welfare team is fully aware of how many horses are arriving at any given Retrainer and their condition (feet, teeth etc).
Once the Traceability form has been completed, Retrainers receive the $200 Traceability fee. This enables us to provide clear data on what discipline horses are being rehomed into and furthers our commitment to lifetime traceability with Companion Animals New Zealand.
The Leg Up Grant spend of $41,250 includes the introduction of the vet checks that were piloted at the end of last season. The vet checks have resulted in successfully identifying horses that should not yet be admitted to the programme. We then work closely with the racing connections to ensure they are assisted to find the best possible outcome for the horse, including exploring rehabilitation, and other responsible rehoming opportunities.
Safety Gear grants of $1,068 were paid to Retrainers requiring approved helmets, back protectors and safety stirrups.
$3,575 was allocated to cover contractual Retrainer provisions such as equipment and rebates for horses sourced from Acknowledged Retrainers that attended eligible education clinics.
South Island NZTR Acknowledged Retrainer Jamie Meilach of Ardlussa Equine, on Chuggatai (Mongolian Kahn x Up A Ghia). Champion Novice Hack, Reserve Champion Hack, 3rd in the NZTR Ridden Thoroughbred Class at the West Otago A&P Show. (Photo: Supplied)
Second Career Sponsorship
First Quarter spend: $33,108 (Season allocation: $250,000)
This quarter’s allocation includes our $10,000 commitment to Royal Agricultural Society by sponsoring the NZTR Thoroughbred A & P Show Series during the 2024/25 season.
The series includes approximately 35 shows around the country, culminating in a finale at the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show in March 2025.
$2,208 was used to sponsor individual events. This included $1,000 to the New Zealand Show Horse Council who ran their nationals at Taupo in November. The Thoroughbred classes were hotly contested with the overall winner qualifying to attend the Show Horse Council Championships in Australia in 2025.
The welfare levy also supported a promotion to celebrate thoroughbreds in polo in the NZ Polo Association’s yearbook for the cost of $1000.
$9,280 was allocated to supporting AnnaRehab. This included their final instalment for the 23/24 season, first instalment for the 2024/25 season and supplying branded and named halters for each horse to wear when on outings around the community.
This quarter 28 students completed the work experience course run by AnnaRehab which included a field trip for 10 students visiting working studs and racing stables.
24 students completed the Stand Tall (Anti Bullying sessions) which was made possible with assistance from syndicators Go Racing.
AnnaRehab have taken the horses out to various calf club days and community events to raise awareness of the work they do and the versatility of thoroughbreds. Anna also attended the Entain Young Leaders Day at Ellerslie.
Other allocations in the Second Career Sponsorship area included $9,707 spent on merchandise used to create prize packs for events and $194 for the TiES endurance prize.
Rounding out this category was the $721 spent on the South Island Know Your Thoroughbred Clinic. The support and demand for these clinics was strong and will therefore become a regular part of welfare and sustainability programme.
Recognising the increased interest in thoroughbreds performing in their second careers, NZTR have created a dedicated webpage to report results. This can be found HERE
Tracey Oakes, Justine Sclater and OnTrack's Andy Cowan at AnnaRehab's Industry Day.
Welfare Assistance
First quarter spend: $27,911 (Season allocation: $50,000)
This spend has provided assistance to navigating several difficult cases involving breeders and trainers.
In one case of neglect a horse was immediately uplifted and the licensed trainer has subsequently been charged by the RIB and received a lifetime disqualification. While this was a situation no one wants to occur, it was an example of good collaboration between the RIB and NZTR.
Another case involved MPI who seized several horses from an owner who was disqualified under the Animal Welfare Act from owning horses.
We hope education and expectations continue to decrease the number of cases requiring support.
Research
First quarter spend: $3846 (Season allocation: $65,000)
The first quarter spend went towards the annual subscription of Equimeter Wearable Technology. This equipment collects speed, heart rate and stride data which goes towards information to reduce injuries and increase the health and performance of horses.
We are currently working together with Massey University and several horse trainers to gather data on workload and training surfaces. We continue to work with Massey enabling them to gather data for various research projects aiming to produce better outcomes for thoroughbreds in training and in their second careers.
Traceability
First quarter spend: $11,000 (Season allocation: $45,000)
This quarter’s allocation was dedicated to providing the industry with an understanding of thoroughbred population dynamics and gain indications of proportions of horses that do not race, have racing careers, and each horse’s reason/circumstance when leaving the racing population.
Called ‘Knowing Our Numbers’, the in-depth independent data analysis study that was commissioned in the middle of 2023 is near completion. The data will provide a better framework and greater understanding of retired Thoroughbreds and the potential rehoming population.
It has highlighted areas of improvement for the industry and confirmed our concerns about the lack of completion of SR24 forms.
Horse Ambulance
First Quarter spend: $61,555 (Season allocation: $246,192)
Supporting the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust continues to be a significant spend and benefits not only the racing community but also equestrian sports. A horse ambulance has attended four equestrian events this quarter sponsored by NZTR as part of the TiES initiative, including the Springston Trophy in Rangiora, Eventing Canterbury and the Puhinui International FEI Horse Trial in Auckland.
It also had good exposure when on display at Equifest in Taupō, with the LOVERACING.NZ-branded tow vehicle.
NZTR will continue to sponsor a horse ambulance to attend equestrian events throughout the season, helping increase the chances of positive outcomes for all horses when needed.
Communication and Education
First Quarter spend: $1,659 (Season allocation: $95,000)
This spend includes funding a Gene Editing and Genetics Information Workshop held in August that was a collaboration between NZTR’s Stud Book and Welfare & Sustainability teams.
An international genetics expert was engaged to help us gain an understanding of what the future holds for our breeding and racing industry due to the developments in animal reproductive and genetics science.
Funding also went towards professional photography, raceday medication posters and written communications to promote and celebrate our thoroughbreds in their second careers.
Your feedback is always welcome.
Please email Justine Sclater at Justine.sclater@nztr.co.nz.