Retirement

It is compulsory for owners to notify Racing Australia on the retirement of their horse. The form specifically designed for this purpose will require the owner to indicate where the horse is destined. This allows the continual tracking of Thoroughbreds even when they have finished their racing career.

Where a registered horse has been retired from racing or a decision has been made to not race the horse, the owner or trainer of the horse at the time of its retirement must, within one month of the horse’s retirement, notify the Registrar by lodging the relevant form prescribed by the Registrar.

RWWA’s Off the Track program continues to be an active voice within the racing and equestrian industries, positioning retired racehorses as the preferred choice for equestrian disciplines and other pursuits. The program’s activities increase the demand for and support the placement of retired thoroughbred and standardbred racehorses in second careers via sponsoring of events, sharing success stories, promoting re-trainers and re-homing services, and holding education clinics for horses off the track. The program is widely recognised in the equestrian community as being a conduit for the successful transition of horses from the race track to alternative pursuits.

Off the Track has supported the equestrian community through the sponsorship of more than 200 equestrian events, including horse shows in which over 6,000 retired racehorses have competed, and hosted Education Clinics.

RWWA has been recognised by the Retired Racehorse Project as one of Australia’s leading equine welfare organisations through its Off the Track program.