Retiring & Re-homing

Responsible re-homing

Responsible re-homing of thoroughbreds is an important issue for racing internationally. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing is committed to ensuring that as many of our horses as possible are retrained and re-homed for second careers as sport or pleasure horses. This includes horses that are bred but not deemed competitive early or late in their expected racing career, as well as retired thoroughbreds.

In 2019 it was apparent that NZTR did not have sufficiently robust data to trace our thoroughbred population in a comprehensive manner or to confirm the numbers of horses that are successfully re-homed at the end of their racing careers. Since 2020, NZTR has conducted a range of initiatives that aim to resolve this shortcoming. By the end of 2023, NZTR aims to be able to analyse data and publish highlights and findings.

NZTR has provided Trainers and Owners with additional guidance and requirements if they are rehoming their thoroughbred via a NZTR Acknowledged Retrainer.

NZTR Traceability Ambassador - Amanda Pottinger

Welfare concerns may arise where:

Owners do not have sufficient financial resources, facilities, or knowledge to properly care for horses that do not progress to, or are retired from racing or breeding
Horses are engaged in post-racing activities for which they are not physically suited due to pre-existing injuries or inherent capabilities
Uncompetitive horses become neglected or are thoughtlessly given away to unsuitable new owners.

NZTR attends the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR), which aims to promote retraining racehorses. We’ve also partnered with various groups to promote the versatility of thoroughbreds.

NZTR and Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) launched a joint initiative in 2014 called Thoroughbreds in Equestrian Sport (TiES), aimed at increasing second career opportunities for thoroughbred horses retiring from racing.

TiES holds annual national competitions offering prizes to the most successful thoroughbred in the following equestrian sports categories:

Show jumping and show hunter
Eventing
Dressage.

Other NZTR supported initiatives

NZ Show Horse Council

NZTR sponsors the Off the Track Show Horse series, which promotes the rehoming of thoroughbreds to a life after racing as show horses

Find out more

Beyond The Barriers NZ

Beyond The Barriers is a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to educate people in regards to the care of retired thoroughbreds, retrained as a pleasure or sporthorse.