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Together for the Thoroughbred

Thoroughbred Welfare Strategy

Every Thoroughbred is tracked, cared for, and supported for life.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s Thoroughbred Welfare Strategy – Together for the Thoroughbred sets a clear, whole-of-industry approach to welfare across the full life of every Thoroughbred.

The strategy brings together the work already underway across breeding, racing and life after racing, and strengthens it through clearer standards, better traceability, stronger accountability and a shared commitment across the industry. It is grounded in evidence, transparency and the belief that welfare and performance go hand in hand.

Download the Welfare Strategy

1) It Starts Here

A strong foundation from the very beginning

Good welfare starts well before a horse reaches the racetrack. It Starts Here reflects the importance of responsible breeding, early care and clear oversight from the beginning of a Thoroughbred’s life.

The strategy takes a full lifecycle approach, helping ensure horses are tracked, cared for and supported from birth through to life after racing.

What this means:

  • A whole-of-life approach to welfare
  • Better traceability from birth
  • Greater focus on responsible breeding and ownership
  • Clearer expectations across the industry

2) Care in Action

Welfare delivered every day

Welfare is reflected in the daily care, environments and decisions that support Thoroughbreds throughout their racing careers. Care in Action focuses on how welfare is delivered across training and racing.

The strategy strengthens this through clearer standards, more consistent practices, and continued investment in safer racing and training environments.

What this means:

  • Safer racing and training environments
  • Continued focus on reducing injuries
  • Better use of data, research and technology
  • Clearer welfare standards and accountability

3) Voice for the Horse

A science-led and transparent approach

Voice for the Horse reflects NZTR’s commitment to welfare that is evidence-based, transparent and centred on the horse’s wellbeing.

Grounded in the Five Domains Model, the strategy supports a broader view of welfare across physical health, behaviour and mental wellbeing.

What this means:

  • Welfare guided by the Five Domains Model
  • Greater focus on mental wellbeing
  • Stronger transparency and reporting
  • Clearer visibility of welfare outcomes

4) Life Beyond Racing

Support that continues after a racing career ends

Welfare does not end when racing does. Life Beyond Racing focuses on strengthening retraining, rehoming and retirement pathways for Thoroughbreds after their racing careers.

The strategy supports earlier planning, better tracking beyond racing, and more opportunities for horses to move into second careers.

What this means:

  • Stronger retraining and rehoming pathways
  • Earlier planning for retirement
  • Better visibility after racing
  • More support for second-career opportunities

A shared responsibility

Welfare is owned by the whole industry.

Together for the Thoroughbred reinforces that welfare is a shared responsibility across the industry.

Breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys, clubs, industry bodies and participants all have a role to play in achieving good outcomes for horses. The strategy provides clearer expectations, stronger education and a more consistent approach to help support that shared commitment.

It also recognises the care and dedication already shown by people across the industry every day, while setting a clear direction for ongoing improvement.
 

Building trust and confidence

The strategy responds to changing public expectations by making welfare clearer, more consistent and more transparent.

By strengthening traceability, accountability and public reporting, NZTR is working to provide greater confidence in how Thoroughbreds are cared for throughout their lives.

This is about being open about what is expected, clear about the progress being made, and committed to delivering high-quality welfare outcomes across the industry.
 

What this strategy will deliver

Together for the Thoroughbred will support:

  • Better traceability across the full life of every Thoroughbred
  • Clearer welfare standards and expectations
  • Stronger accountability across the industry
  • Safer racing and training environments
  • Improved retraining, rehoming and retirement pathways
  • Better use of data, research and technology
  • Greater transparency and public reporting
  • A more consistent, whole-of-industry approach to welfare
     

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Thoroughbred Welfare Strategy?
The Thoroughbred Welfare Strategy – Together for the Thoroughbred sets out NZTR’s whole-of-industry approach to delivering high standards of care for Thoroughbreds across their entire lives, from breeding through to life after racing.

What is new or different about this strategy?
The strategy brings existing welfare work together into a clearer and more consistent framework. It strengthens the focus on lifecycle care, traceability, accountability, transparency and mental wellbeing.

Why is it called Together for the Thoroughbred?
The name reflects the shared responsibility across the industry. Everyone involved in breeding, owning, training, racing and caring for Thoroughbreds has a role to play in supporting good welfare outcomes.

What does traceability mean?
Traceability means being able to track Thoroughbreds from birth, through racing and beyond. This includes stronger systems to identify where horses are, who is responsible for them and how they are being supported throughout their lives.

What is the Five Domains Model?
The Five Domains Model is a science-based welfare framework developed in New Zealand. It considers nutrition, physical health, environment, behaviour and mental wellbeing, giving a more complete view of animal welfare.

What is being done for horses after racing?
The strategy strengthens the focus on life after racing by supporting retraining, rehoming and retirement pathways, encouraging earlier planning, and improving visibility of horses once they leave the racing system.

How will success be measured?
Success will be measured through data, reporting and real-world outcomes across the Thoroughbred lifecycle. NZTR has committed to delivering 54 initiatives over the next five years.