From January 2025, a new mandatory levy will be collected from sales companies, vendors and purchasers across the board at British auction houses. This will provide vital extra funding for racehorse aftercare through British racing's official charity Retraining of Racehorses (RoR).
A £6 contribution will be made to the RoR from Goffs UK, Tattersalls and ThoroughBid from each lot sold. A further £3 will be collected from the vendor of each lot as well as £3 from the purchaser. This includes online sales, with the respective sales companies providing the framework to collect this money on behalf of the RoR.
The extra funding will be used to deliver “ambitious objectives for 2024-2026, including the traceability of horses bred for racing, enhanced educational outreach to owners, and expanded welfare programmes to ensure that no racehorse faces an uncertain future after racing”, according to a statement released by the RoR on Wednesday.
The charity's managing director David Catlow said, “This new funding agreement is a vital step forward for RoR and the thousands of former racehorses we support. The generosity of Goffs UK, Tattersalls and ThoroughBid highlights their shared commitment to our mission. With this increased funding, we are better positioned to deliver on the goals outlined in the RoR Strategy 2024-2026.”
He continued, “This funding sets a benchmark for racehorse welfare that we hope all other industry stakeholders will follow. It also strengthens RoR's role as the agreed provider of aftercare support, enabling us to enhance our capacity to meet our strategic goals.
“Further funding announcements involving additional key racing stakeholders are anticipated in early 2025, reinforcing the collective effort to safeguard the future of former racehorses.”
Tim Kent, managing director of Goffs UK, which staged 11 sales in Britain during 2024, said, “Goffs UK is proud to support RoR through this enhanced funding model, ensuring vendors and purchasers play a part in the essential work of retraining and rehoming former racehorses. Together with Tattersalls and ThoroughBid, we are helping to create a sustainable future for these horses once their racing careers have ended.”
Tattersalls has just brought the curtain down on a record-breaking year of trade at Park Paddocks in Newmarket, resulting in 1,785 horses being offered during its December Sale, which turned over the equivalent of £141million in nine days. Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony commented, “Tattersalls continues to support RoR's Showing Series, and this new funding model further cements our commitment to RoR. We are pleased to be part of this industry initiative. RoR's work is fundamental to the Thoroughbred industry, not only in promoting welfare but also in demonstrating the versatility of these horses beyond racing. Through this initiative, Tattersalls reaffirms its dedication to the long-term care and retraining of racehorses, ensuring they have the opportunity to thrive in new careers.”
James Richardson, CEO of ThoroughBid, which hosts monthly online auctions, added, “We are delighted to be part of this collaborative effort to enhance funding for RoR. Online bloodstock sales play an equally important role in supporting the welfare and future careers of former racehorses, and we are proud to help ensure they can thrive in their lives after racing.”
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