Racing Victoria introduces new program to improve traceability of retired racehorses
Racing Victoria (RV) has today announced the introduction of a new Acknowledged Rehomer Program to its suite of post-racing initiatives to help improve the visibility of thoroughbreds transitioning to new post-racing careers.
This program will incentivise those rehoming more than two Off The Track thoroughbreds a year to become an Acknowledged Rehomer, by providing a one-off $150 reporting payment for each thoroughbred reported to RV via the Off The Track Community.
The one-off payment for each thoroughbred is also a way to recognise the important work of the Acknowledged Rehomer before transitioning the horse to its new owner.
Since launching the Off The Track Community in 2021, RV has improved its visibility of Victorian retired racehorses, with close to 6,000 claimed and more than 3,000 Full Circle emergency contacts registered on the platform.
The new Acknowledged Rehomer Program builds on this by improving visibility and further traceability for retired racehorses that are being sold directly to suitable new homes rather than those being retrained and rehomed.
The Acknowledged Rehomer Program is open to those that meet the minimum standards set out in the program’s terms and conditions. This includes the appropriate screening of prospective owners including their previous horse experience, retraining experience and where the horse will be kept.
Current Acknowledged Retrainers will also be able to hold both titles simultaneously.
The Acknowledged Rehomer Program differs from the Acknowledged Retrainer Program in two important ways:
- An Acknowledged Rehomer does not have to perform any ridden assessment or retraining under saddle before rehoming; and
- An Acknowledged Rehomer does not have to keep the thoroughbred in the care of their home, for example, this means they can rehome on behalf of owners and licensed trainers.
Similarly to the Acknowledged Retrainer Program, an Acknowledged Rehomer will have access to a variety of benefits including:
- A one-off payment for every Off The Track thoroughbred rehomed upon being reported to RV via the Off The Track Community;
- Access to exclusive learning opportunities, including webinars and training days;
- Business promotion opportunities via the Off The Track Community and industry publications;
- Complimentary Off The Track thoroughbred ads in Horse Deals magazine;
- Promotion via Off The Track social media channels;
- Tickets for special events (such as the races, polo and equestrian events); and
- Access to exclusive Off The Track merchandise and signage.
RV’s suite of equine welfare programs cater for all horses retiring from racing to have a successful first transition post-racing. In addition to the new Acknowledged Rehomer Program, this includes our:
- Acknowledged Retrainer Program;
- RESET and PRESET Programs;
- Acknowledged Retirement Farm Providers;
- Clerk of Course Subsidy Program;
- Retired Thoroughbred Companion Program;
- Short Term Assisted Recovery Program;
- Emergency Aid;
- Full Circle (Emergency Contact) Program; and
- Onsite Humane Euthanasia Program.
For more information on RV’s post-racing programs, visit ottcommunity.com.au
Quotes attributable to RV General Manager - Equine Welfare, Melissa Ware
“The Acknowledged Rehomer Program aims to elevate RV’s visibility of retired racehorses being rehomed directly to new owners, resulting in greater overall awareness of the movement of retired racehorses outside of those being retrained and sold to new owners via our Acknowledged Retrainer network.
“This provides an incentive for each retired racehorse reported to RV via the Off The Track Community. It also recognises the critical work done by rehomers in supporting Victorian racing’s efforts to place retired racehorses into successful post-racing careers.
“This program will play an integral part in RV’s post-racing framework to further support the successful transition of a retired racehorse from racing into appropriate new careers.”