RoR Unveils Five-Year Strategy to Transform Life After Racing for Former Racehorses
From the racecourse to the riding club, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) has unveiled an ambitious five-year strategy to ensure former racehorses are supported throughout their lives, with plans to improve traceability, prevent welfare issues and create more opportunities beyond racing.
Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), British racing’s official aftercare charity, has launched its strategy for 2027–2031, placing lifelong welfare, owner support and greater opportunities for former racehorses at the heart of its plans.
Unveiled at a reception at the House of Commons on Tuesday 10 November, alongside the Horse Welfare Board’s A Life Well Lived, the strategy sets out how RoR intends to work with British racing, horse owners and the wider equestrian community to improve the lives of horses once their racing careers come to an end.
Endorsed by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) as the industry’s official aftercare strategy, the five-year plan also includes an ambitious funding target, with RoR aiming to increase its annual income to £4.5 million by 2031.
Keeping former racehorses visible throughout their lives
One of the greatest challenges facing the aftercare sector is maintaining contact with horses once they leave the regulated racing environment.
While a Thoroughbred’s movements during its racing career can be tracked, following its progress through subsequent homes and careers becomes more difficult. Horses may change ownership several times, move into different equestrian disciplines or spend their retirement as companions.
RoR aims to strengthen registration, data sharing and digital services to improve traceability and ensure more horses remain connected to the support available throughout their lives.
The strategy also marks a shift towards earlier intervention, with greater emphasis on providing owners with trusted advice, education and practical guidance before welfare concerns arise.
Rupert Arnold, RoR’s Interim Chief Executive, said: “Every horse bred to race deserves a future in which they are visible, valued and cared for beyond racing. That is the ambition at the heart of our new strategy.
“We have made significant progress in recent years, but there is more to do. We need to strengthen our connections with former racehorses and their owners, make it easier to access trusted guidance and support, and do more to prevent welfare problems before they arise.”
Four priorities for the future of racehorse aftercare
The RoR Strategy 2027–2031 identifies four key areas of focus:
- Visibility and traceability: Improving registration and data sharing to maintain connections with former racehorses throughout their lives.
- Welfare, education and lifelong support: Helping owners access advice, practical guidance and preventative support.
- Participation and demand: Creating more opportunities for former racehorses and encouraging their transition into new homes and careers.
- Funding and organisational resilience: Securing sustainable investment to support the charity’s long-term ambitions.
RoR also intends to strengthen its evidence gathering and impact reporting, helping the charity demonstrate progress and ensure funding is directed towards the areas where it can make the greatest difference.
Celebrating the versatility of the Thoroughbred
For many Thoroughbreds, retirement from racing marks the beginning of an entirely different career. From dressage and eventing to showing, hacking and riding club activities, former racehorses have demonstrated their ability to succeed across the equestrian disciplines.
RoR’s new strategy recognises the importance of increasing demand for these horses, not only as competition prospects but also as leisure horses and companions.
The charity will continue developing participation and educational opportunities to showcase the versatility of the Thoroughbred, while supporting owners through the retraining process and beyond.
Brant Dunshea, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, said: “RoR plays a vital role within British racing’s welfare structure, helping former racehorses remain connected to support, guidance and opportunities after they leave training. This strategy sets out an ambitious and practical roadmap for strengthening that work, and the BHA is pleased to endorse it as the sport’s industry strategy for aftercare.
“Together, we can build on the progress already made and ensure former racehorses enjoy fulfilling lives beyond racing.”
Coneygree, Frodon and Native River to parade at Cheltenham
The strategy’s launch celebrations will continue at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday 14 November, during its November Meeting, with a special parade featuring some of National Hunt racing’s most recognisable former stars.
Among those confirmed to take part are Cheltenham Gold Cup winners Coneygree and Native River, alongside 2020 King George VI Chase winner Frodon.
The parade will also feature Dashel Drasher, Duc Des Genievres, Elegant Escape, Falloway Dubreau, Melon and Regal Encore.
Taking place following a joint media briefing hosted by RoR and the Horse Welfare Board, the parade will offer racegoers an opportunity to see familiar names enjoying life beyond the track.
It will also demonstrate the shared ambitions of both organisations’ new strategies, highlighting the importance of supporting horses at every stage of their lives, whether they are still in training, embarking on a second career or enjoying retirement.
The RoR Strategy 2027–2031 and its accompanying summary are available on the RoR website.