With the 2024/25 racing season completed, the final quarter report for the NZTR 1% Thoroughbred Welfare Levy has been compiled with a breakdown of allocated spend below. This allows us to reflect on some of the highlights made possible by you, as valuable contributors to the 1% Welfare Levy.
The 1% contribution from prizemoney plays a vital role in strengthening welfare outcomes for our horses before, during and after racing. The commitment to a whole-of-industry approach remains essential.
In the 2024/25 season the levy invested $1,142,488 across key welfare priorities – exceeding our budgeted total of $1,051,192 by $91,296. This increase was primarily driven by greater support for the Rural Guardian Equine Crematorium facility, which is now fully operational and providing an invaluable service to the equine community.
The NZTR Acknowledged Retrainers Network remains a cornerstone of our work. This season, 266 of the 287 horses admitted into the program were successfully rehomed. Over the past three seasons, more than 900 thoroughbreds have been placed into second careers through the dedication of the Retrainer Network. At the same time, I would like to recognise the many owners, trainers, and individuals who, outside of the 1% Welfare Levy, take direct responsibility for retraining and rehoming thoroughbreds in their care. Your contribution is vital, and the Levy cannot achieve these outcomes alone.
Our focus this year is balanced, with increased investment in post-racing pathways, horsemanship and education, combined with a targeted focus on reducing risk in racing.
Allocation has increased towards off the track thoroughbred event sponsorship such as TiES, polo, our inaugural $5k Eventer Stakes and the popular Know Your Thoroughbred Clinics. While our investment in wearable technology and injury-prevention research further demonstrates our commitment to the welfare of the horse and the sport of racing.
This edition also marks my final report, as I have now stepped down from my role as Head of Welfare and Sustainability at NZTR. It has been a privilege to serve the industry in this capacity and to work alongside so many who share the commitment to putting the thoroughbred first and at the centre of every decision.
I would like to thank my team, Tracey and Kristin. What we have lacked in numbers we have made up for in dedication and result focused action. Thank you also to every one of you – trainers, owners, retrainers, and industry partners – for the support, trust, and collaboration you have shown during my time at NZTR.
The progress made over the past few years has been possible because of our shared vision and commitment to our horses.
As part of this I’m excited to announce that later this year NZTR will take a lead role in National Thoroughbred Week, an Australasian initiative based on the concepts of NZ’s Open Farms and England’s National Racehorse Week. The event will give the general public the opportunity to get up close and personal with the horses and people that contribute to our industry.
As I take a step back from my role, I do so with pride in what has been achieved, and with confidence that the industry will continue to lead with welfare as a primary focus, just as our wonderful, versatile thoroughbreds deserve.
Justine Sclater
NZTR Head of Welfare and Sustainability
Acknowledged Retrainers Funding
Fourth Quarter Spend: $92,486 (YTD: $337,069 - Season Allocation: $300,000)
The final spend towards the NZTR Acknowledged Retrainer network was above the original budgeted $300,000 due to the increase in support via arrival and departure fees, the introduction of vet health checks on arrival, and the provision of additional feed due to several months of harsh weather conditions in the final quarter. We also provided additional support to those who had rehomed more than 30 horses over the 12 months.
During the season 266 of the 287 horses entering the network were rehomed. This was accounted for by 126 fillies and/or mares and 140 geldings.
We are in the process of re-signing our nine dedicated Retrainers to the network. Prior to the coming session, we have introduced an independent Welfare Assessment tool called FORM (Five Overall Racehorse Measures) to the network.
This is to ensure the IFHA’s welfare guidelines are being adhered to. FORM is a science-based thoroughbred welfare assessment encompassing the 5 Domains Model, the centre of our welfare guidelines and strategy. It will also provide us with valuable data that can be used to improve welfare outcomes and the general public’s perception of the industry.
The allocation in this area can be broken down as:
- Retrainer Fees (Arrival and Traceability Fee): $40,670 (YTD: $151,070)
- Leg Up Grant (Arrival checks, farrier, teeth and injury): $44,949 (YTD: $166,811)
- Safety Gear Grants, Uniform and Miscellaneous: $6,868 (YTD: $19,188)
OTTB Versatility Sponsorship
Fourth Quarter Spend $45,714 (YTD: $239,101 – Season Allocation $250,000)
Know Your Thoroughbred Clinics
Fourth Quarter Spend: $20,748 (YTD: $42,379)
Our nationwide Know Your Thoroughbred Clinics have become an integral part of the 1% Levy. They were developed to support and upskill individuals who have chosen a thoroughbred as their horse of choice - empowering riders with improved horsemanship, greater understanding of thoroughbred traits and versatility, upcoming thoroughbred events, plus education on pedigrees, traceability, and industry career opportunities.
Over 250 horse and rider combinations have benefited from these clinics this season, the demand demonstrating it is important to support riders on thoroughbreds in the equestrian community via the 1% Levy.
TiES (Thoroughbreds in Equestrian Sports)
Fourth Quarter Spend: $1,291 (YTD: $84,238)
NZTR’s relationship with Equestrian Sports New Zealand has continued to make positive developments and we have celebrated another successful year of the TiES initiative this season. The spend this quarter was dedicated to purchasing rugs for the finals of Endurance and Eventing.
There are currently 337 thoroughbreds registered for TiES , excluding casual memberships and new season registrations.
We increased our commitment to supporting the discipline of eventing, recognising this as an area where thoroughbreds continue to excel. Monica Spencer and her Windsor Park-bred ‘Max’ have showcased Event Stars graduates and over the past seasons the New Zealand thoroughbred on the world stage, a priceless advertisement for our product.
Endurance Winner: Christine Tidy riding Rubys Luck (Jimmy Choux / Madam Rouge) completing 315km
Eventing Winner: Stephanie Vervoort riding Zachariah O’Herr (Reliable Man / Lazulia)
Sponsorship of Independent Events
Fourth Quarter Spend: $14,003 (YTD: $53,295)
Inaugural $5K Eventing Stakes
The inaugural $5K Eventers Stakes was a new initiative and was held at the Randlab Matamata Equestrian Group Horse Trial in March. It provided an opportunity for owners and breeders of the horses competing to network and catch up with the horses and their riders at our Rose and Racehorses function.
We are looking forward to growing this concept, which is aimed at bridging the gap between the equestrian and racing communities. Top honours this season went to Alena Dorotich riding Fifty Shades (Sweynesse x Les Silk), who received $3,000. The support of the event by riders and the community indicate that it will become a date to mark on your calendar. The total allocation to this event was $10,000 including prizemoney, dress rugs and the jumps sponsored in the showjumping and cross country.
Polo
Fourth Quarter Spend: $2,171 (YTD: 34,786)
Polo continues to provide an important pathway for thoroughbreds in their second careers as they are valued by players as brave and versatile competitors on the field.
During the 2024/25 season 590 thoroughbreds were registered for polo and identified for traceability, while 73 Best Playing Thoroughbred prizes were awarded around the country.
The pre-purchase of the dress covers to be presented in the 2025-26 season fell into the final quarter spend.
Anna Rehab
Fourth quarter spend: $7,500 (YTD: $24,402)
Anna Rehab received their final season payment this quarter. We have enjoyed seeing them out and about in the community promoting thoroughbreds as Equine Assistance Horses. Anna was recently interviewed by Women's Day and RNZ, highlighting the amazing work they do and thoroughbreds excelling in a non-athletic second career.
Welfare Assistance
Fourth Quarter Spend: $11,189 (YTD $46,111) – Season Allocation $50,000)
Two neglect cases were closed out in this quarter. There were also the final costs of the horses that were uplifted by the RIB to a SPCA approved home in April to account for. The spend also covered the cost of euthanasia for a thoroughbred found in critical condition, all efforts to contact the owners were unsuccessful and it was determined that her quality of life was irreversibly compromised.
Research
Fourth Quarter Spend: $20,179 (YTD $87,352 – Season Allocation $65,000)
The spend this quarter includes final costs for the season of the Equine Mortality Review Panel, covering postmortem costs and the independent review of EMRP for 2024-25 season to be completed by the Massey University. 27 horses were reviewed by the panel this year. This included 15 raceday, 7 trial fatalities, and 5 training fatalities.
The EMRP provides an insight into the circumstances of fatalities, helping to gather data and information for injury prevention strategies. The ongoing goal is to contribute to international data-sharing frameworks, supporting the development of a global biobank and advancing equine welfare research through the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities Equine Safety and Technology Task Force.
The final payment for the Equimetre wearable technology was also made. This is used to gather preliminary data and highlighted the need for future resourcing to collate the required information. We are now rationalising what wearable technology we invest in and waiting for the recommendations of the American Association of Equine Practitioners Studies to be completed on benchmark wearable technologies.
Traceability
Fourth Quarter Spend: $2,240 (YTD: $25,565 - Season Allocation: $4500)
The ID MY TB mobile app, developed in-house by the NZTR IT team, helps identify thoroughbreds via a microchip reader paired via Bluetooth to your phone. As part of the trial, we identified and purchased an affordable microchip reader that was recognised for usability and effectiveness. To date, we have scanned 346 thoroughbreds in the field as part of the trial, which provides their real-time location to our central database.
We are continuing to develop the app and its capability, so it becomes a valuable tool for the industry, assisting with traceability. It has the potential to be relevant to health outcomes by being able to record temperature following the introduction of biothermal microchips in the 2025 foal crop.
The app will be used to identify any horse sent to the equine crematorium, ensuring we have 100% traceability of all thoroughbreds cremated at the facility.
Over 280 retired thoroughbred horses have been registered with the New Zealand Companion Animal Register this season, an initiative the 1% levy supported. Work continues to ensure a seamless process for the 2025 foal crop to be registered with NEIT.
Horse Ambulance
Fourth Quarter Spend: $61,707 (YTD: $251,732 - Season Allocation: $246,192)
The fourth quarter spend is the standard instalment for the Horse Ambulance to attend trials, jump outs, and racedays. The addition of the equestrian sponsorship this year has been noticed across the equestrian community and interest has grown in having the horse ambulance attend more equestrian events.
The ambulance was required on 57 occasions to transport an injured or unwell thoroughbred safely. This number includes horses in training, broodmares, and sport horses. 25 of the deployments were on a race day and two were at an equestrian event.
Many of the NZ Horse Ambulance Trust’s employees attended an Animal Emergency Incident Network conference at Massey University in Palmerston North which covered how to manage incidents involving horses or riders who were trapped. This will lead to collaboration with the RIB, race day vets and racecourse staff to create a coordinated approach to race day incidents, and the equipment required for Technical Large Animal Rescue.
Communication and Education
Fourth Quarter Spend: $33,065 (YTD: $55,558 - Season Allocation: $95,000)
Our Thoroughbred Ambassadors, Donna and Elise Edwards-Smith, continue to be an asset to the OTTB community. Their involvement in the Know Your Thoroughbred clinics, combined with their advocacy for the thoroughbred within the wider equestrian sector is invaluable. Both are passionate competitors on thoroughbreds, while also dedicating their time to coaching and encouraging riders who choose to partner with the breed.
The Foundation Rider magazine has also introduced a dedicated section celebrating thoroughbreds in their second careers, with this initiative now supported through the 1% Welfare Levy.
During the final quarter spend was also allocated to a new initiative -National Thoroughbred Week. Held across Australasia from the 20–24 November 2025, racing stables, stud farms and aftercare facilities will open their doors to the public. Visitors will be able to experience everything from morning trackwork to hands-on welfare education gaining insights into life after racing.
This initiative reflects the increasing public interest in animal welfare and industry transparency. By providing opportunities for direct engagement, National Thoroughbred Week helps to build trust, strengthen understanding, and foster more informed perspectives about our industry.
