Dear Stakeholders,
The 2023-24 season is now complete and this edition of the 1% newsletter will provide an update on the final quarter (May-July 2024) as well as the overall spend for the term.
The total spend in the fourth quarter was $172,309 with the largest allocation directed towards the NZTR Acknowledged Retrainer Network.
Finding suitable homes and second careers for thoroughbreds out of racing continues to prove challenging. Aftercare must be recognised as a shared responsibility between owners, breeders, participants and authorities.
This was also highlighted at the recent International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses held in Sapporo, Japan as an increasingly important issue for the thoroughbred industry to address. It is an unavoidable challenge that must be met to sustain the sport. This is despite the various rehoming programmes and thoroughbred ownership incentives offered by different jurisdictions around the world.
A total of $908,000 was budgeted for the 1% fund for the 2023-2024 season and as of 31st July 2024 the final spend was $789,625. The excess was directed to the Welfare Reserve Fund.
$200,000 from the 1% Reserve Fund has gone towards supporting the development of the Equine Crematorium. You can read more on this below and I truly believe this will be a real asset for our industry, allowing us to provide our horses a dignified end of life and allow for improved research opportunities.
The allocation of each dollar of the 1% fund is given serious consideration and I firmly believe the spend was directed to areas that contribute to our goals of creating a sustainable industry that we can be proud of and holds up to social license scrutiny.
It has been wonderful to see Anna and Maria Baigent recognised with AnnaRehab recently featured on 7 Sharp and Anna awarded the Dedication to Thoroughbred Welfare Award sponsored by Entain. To support such worthy individuals and the meaningful work they do via the 1% is something the industry should be proud of. We look forward to continuing our support of AnnaRehab and the special work they do creating awareness of the wonderful qualities our thoroughbreds have as therapy horses.
As always, do not hesitate to contact either myself or Tracey if you have any feedback or would like to share a story of your thoroughbred in their second career.
You can contact us at thoroughbredwelfare@nztr.co.nz
Justine Sclater
NZTR Head of Welfare and Sustainability
Acknowledged Retrainers Funding
$56,111.78 was allocated to the Acknowledged Retrainers during the fourth quarter (YTD = 219,398.05).
Of this, over $11,000 was spent on the Leg Up Grant, provided to support retrainers when a horse arrives in a condition where it is unable to start work straight away.
This cost will be reduced if owners, trainers and responsible persons ensure horses arrive in good condition and with recent farrier and dental work done.
This quarter, the vet & health check pilot programme was established. 22 horses received a check on arrival at a retrainers, two were rechecked after a week, costing $2730.42. The two that were rechecked, had a week off and then passed fit ready for education.
It is essential we continue to support the retrainer network as they provide a pivotal service in enabling thoroughbreds to gain exposure and education before making the transition from racehorse to sport horse.
As well as successfully rehoming thoroughbreds, the NZTR Acknowledged Retrainer Network provides a link between the racing and equestrian communities.
The reality is that not all thoroughbreds are suitable for rehoming, nor will they be able to find suitable homes. We need to continue to work on solutions that meet not only welfare standards but also uphold our social license.
The investment in the NZTR Acknowledged Retrainer Network has been rewarded with 388 thoroughbreds successfully rehomed following their time through their system. Credit must also go to the wonderful owners and trainers that have their own system and resources that provide suitable homes and purposeful careers for their horses on the completion of their racing careers.
There were 10 NZTR Acknowledged Retrainers during the 2023-24 season with plans to extend the network so there is a better regional representation.
Second Career Sponsorship
$17,133.43 was allocated to showcasing off the track thoroughbred versatility in the fourth quarter (YTD= $198,057.12).
We have been working with different equestrian disciplines, groups and recreational sports to encourage the use of thoroughbreds and promote ownership of the breed.
Bridging the gap between the thoroughbred and equestrian communities is mutually beneficial. We continue to explore opportunities and solutions to stimulate the demand for the ever-versatile thoroughbred but also ensure that we are supporting, educating, and improving the horsemanship skills of those for whom the thoroughbred is their breed of choice.
We ran two over-subscribed thoroughbred education clinics – “Knowing Your Thoroughbred” - in July. There was one each in the North and South Islands and the feedback was very positive from both riders and instructors. We plan to make these clinics available on a regular basis in the new season and will collaborate with Equestrian Sports New Zealand and the New Zealand Pony Club Association to deliver on this initiative.
Welfare Assistance
$4,319.35 was allocated to supporting thoroughbreds found in a situation where they needed assistance during the fourth quarter (YTD = $12,456.01).
This spend supported five horses, these were continuations of horses supported in previous quarters with no new applications received.
We would like to acknowledge those who play a role in ensuring these horses are cared for, and in most cases, are given another opportunity to lead a purposeful good life.
It should also be noted that the annual spend for welfare assistance was a marked drop on the spend during the 2022-2023 season which was $100,212.93.
For clarity, the NZTR Welfare Team does not investigate non-compliance with rules or policies or welfare complaints. It is not our role to lay charges, we refer these to the appropriate agency; RIB, SPCA or MPI.
Our role in these situations is to provide support when required or necessary with these agencies as outlined in the relevant Memorandum of Understanding.
Animal Welfare & Research
$36,137.50 was allocated to Animal Welfare and Research in the fourth quarter (YTD = $81,443.58)
This spend went towards the administration of the Equine Mortality Review Panel which reviewed 18 raceday fatalities during the season.
The panel met nine times during the season and where possible, post mortems were undertaken by Massey University.
Understanding the contributing factors of a fatality are complex. The panel’s broader purpose is to use findings and information gathered to recommend measures that may mitigate future risk and to educate all stakeholders in equine fatality prevention. We have engaged Massey University to conduct an independent review which will be released shortly.
Traceability
$11,042.57 was allocated to Traceability in the fourth quarter (YTD = $51,852.32).
This spend contributed to the Population Analysis project which will provide better reporting of data and therefore allow better planning.
Once the final figures for the 2023-24 season have been analysed, the Population Analysis project will release its findings. We have already identified that industry participants need to improve processes and need to be more diligent, completing SR24 retirement forms in a timely manner so the retired racehorse population data is more accurate.
Horse Ambulance
$47,451.27 was allocated to the supporting the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust this quarter (YTD = $192,332.41).
This season, a horse ambulance was deployed 74 times for a thoroughbred in racing, breeding, or off the track. Many were safely transported to an equine referral clinic or hospital for specialist care, giving them the best chance for a positive recovery.
A tenth horse ambulance is nearly completed and will be deployed to Cambridge in September. This gives nationwide coverage with six ambulances in the North Island and four in the South Island. The new horse ambulance was funded through a TAB Rejuvenation Fund grant.
The Trust also attended 29 self-funding equestrian events and demonstrations to raise awareness about the charity’s purpose to safeguard equine welfare and well-being for racing and sport horses.
Communication and Education
$1,270.56 was allocated to Communication during the fourth quarter (YTD = $34,355.64).
Promoting what the NZTR Welfare and Sustainability department do and why it is important continues to be a focus of the 1% fund.
This quarter Raceform has featured stories promoting responsible ownership and the Genetics Workshop. The Owners Magazine has also published relevant information for their readership.
It is also important to continue with our commitment sharing facts and figures to our industry and the general public to improve education and engagement around our sport.
Equine Crematorium
$200,000 from the 1% Reserve Fund has gone towards supporting the development of the Equine Crematorium.
When owning any animal there are responsibilities and, at times difficult decisions, that need to be made around euthanasia. As such, providing a dignified end of life is at the forefront of our industry responsibility to our thoroughbreds.
Horses will not be euthanised at the crematorium, when deemed necessary this will happen at their location to minimise stress for the horse.
The welfare fund holds a ‘reserve’ and this, along with other industry stakeholders, has supported the establishment of the first dedicated Equine Crematorium. This will provide the means and opportunity for a dignified end of life for our horses and ensure responsible carcass disposal.
It will operate under The Rural Guardian Trust which has been approved for charitable status. A large portion of profit will be reinvested into equine initiatives and research.
Resource consent for the Rangiriri facility was granted in August. The next step is to apply for building consent. Among other things, The Rural Guardian Trust are also developing Safe & Standard Operating Procedures, Health & Safety documents and working to recruit contractors to operate the facility.
There are also plans to establish a similar operation in the Canterbury region.
Your feedback is always welcome. Please email Justine Sclater at Justine.sclater@nztr.co.nz.
