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Population Traceability

Individual thoroughbreds can be easily identified by their brands and microchips listed in the New Zealand Stud Book.

However, it is difficult for New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing to maintain reliable information on the location and ownership of horses that have been retired and re-homed with unlicensed owners, given unlicensed owners are not subject to NZTR regulatory oversight.  Attaining ‘whole-of-life traceability’ for the New Zealand thoroughbred population is an objective which faces practical limitations.

Ensuring there is no shortfall in data submission and reporting is a priority for NZTR. To achieve this objective, full support from stakeholder groups and full compliance by trainers, owners, and/or racing managers is needed to ensure that death and retirement records are comprehensive, both in terms of detail and by providing a return for every horse.
 

Notification of Death or Retirement of Thoroughbred

Comprehensive Traceability

All owners or trainers must submit an 'SR24 Notification of Death or Retirement of a Thoroughbred' return for every horse so NZTR can maintain full traceability on all thoroughbreds for the period between foaling and either death or retirement from racing and/or breeding, whichever is earliest. This known as ‘comprehensive traceability’.

Download SR24

Request for Identification of Thoroughbred

Identifying your Thoroughbred

NZTR is able to identify your Thoroughbred from its brands and, for horses born since 2004, by its microchip.      

Use the 'SR22-Request for identification of a Thoroughbred form' to request a search.  Please provide as much information as you can - the more information provided, the greater the chance of finding your horse.  There is no charge for this service.

Download SR22

FREE lifetime registration

NZTR’s Commitment to Lifetime Traceability

At NZTR we are dedicated to ensuring the wellbeing of thoroughbreds throughout their lives.
To support this, we are focused on securing traceability for all thoroughbreds, including those that retire from racing or breeding. NZTR has partnered with Companion Animals New Zealand (CANZ) to offer free lifetime registration on the New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR).

In August 2025, the New Zealand Equine Health Association (NZEHA) are launching the National Equine Identification and Traceability (NEIT) system. CANZ is providing the back-end software for NEIT. Horse guardians will be able to participate in both systems without unnecessary duplication, creating a user-friendly solution for managing equine and companion animal records. By registering, you’re ensuring you’re more likely to be reunited with them should they get lost, and you’ll be prepared to protect your horse and contribute to the future of equine traceability in New Zealand.

Find Out More Register Here