As part of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s (NZTR) ongoing commitment to Thoroughbred welfare we are seeking expressions of interest from people who currently retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds and are interested in becoming an NZTR Acknowledged Retrainer.

NZTR, with support and advice from Beyond the Barriers NZ, has identified several key areas to assist retrainers and to develop the Acknowledged Retrainer Network.  Once selected, Acknowledged Retrainers will have access to a range of marketing, business, and financial support options as well as unique education and training opportunities.

NZTR General Manager, Welfare & Sustainability, Martin Burns expects the Acknowledged Retrainer network to form a crucial step in promoting lifetime welfare for Thoroughbreds in New Zealand.

 “We are fortunate in New Zealand to already have several people who do an exceptional job of assessing, adding skills and finding new homes and careers for Thoroughbreds when they have finished racing. The Acknowledged Retrainer network aims to support and assist these people, whilst also enabling others who have the ability and aspiration to develop into this field,” he said.

Many horses are earmarked by their trainer or owners for a second career long before their racing days are over.  It is expected that a great proportion of Thoroughbreds will continue to be responsibly rehomed on this basis.  However, for some horses the appropriate rehoming opportunity is not immediately obvious. The creation of a network of NZTR Acknowledged Retrainers will provide a further option to such a horse’s life after racing. 

An Acknowledged Retrainer will be able to objectively assess each horse’s suitability and character, matching this to the skill and aspiration of a prospective owner and therefore ensure it is best placed for future success in a new home.

Responsibly rehoming independently or placing a Thoroughbred with an Acknowledged Retrainer will satisfy the accountable person’s duty of care to ensure that the horse is rehomed appropriately. This, along with the submission of a completed SR24 form, ensures that both traceability requirements and horse welfare are at the forefront when a horse is retired.

Applications to become an Acknowledged Retrainer will close on Wednesday 30 June.  For further information, including about the application process and Acknowledged Retrainer criteria, please email alice.riggins@nztr.co.nz

To learn more about the proposed Acknowledged Retrainers’ network watch this video: https://loveracing.nz/News/33338/NZTRThoroughbredRe-TrainersClinic.aspx