The Animal Health Trust, which carries out equine disease surveillance and specialist veterinary research for the Thoroughbred racing industry, will wind up after being unable to secure significant enough funds for a viable future.
The British Horseracing Authority, Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Racehorse Owners Association met on Friday with the Racing Foundation and the Horserace Betting Levy Board, during which it was agreed upon that the BHA would lead the racing industry's efforts to maintain surveillance and testing capability.
Racing provides annual funding of around £700,000 to the AHT, of which the HBLB provides some £400,000. The current HBLB research investment is around £2.8-million. An additional £700,000 was allocated by the HBLB in 2020 after financial difficulties at the AHT became apparent. This was a conditional grant which has not yet been paid but is available if a solution for providing the essential disease control and veterinary research services can be agreed.
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