Each year, thousands of Thoroughbreds leave British racing—around 1,800, in fact. While many go on to successful second careers in eventing, showing, dressage, or as leisure horses, some encounter difficulties as they transition into a new stage of life. Livery yard owners are often the first point of contact for former racehorses and their new owners, and their role in supporting a successful transition into a second career for these horses is vital.
At Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), we are proud to support both Thoroughbreds and the individuals caring for them. While we may be best known for our competitions, RoR is first and foremost a welfare charity. In 2025 alone, we will dedicate over £1 million to our welfare and education work, helping to safeguard the wellbeing of every thoroughbred bred to race.
A national safety net for former racehorses
Although many former racehorses enjoy smooth transitions into new homes and careers, some are not so fortunate. In recent years, increased awareness of the breed’s versatility, coupled with the growth of RoR-exclusive classes and competitions, has helped drive demand. However, there remain horses who, through no fault of their own, fall through the cracks.
We have a national infrastructure in place to act as a safety net for former racehorses in need.
We work closely with accredited rehoming centres across the country, as well as working in partnership with major welfare organisations such as the RSPCA, World Horse Welfare, and the British Horseracing Authority.
Education and outreach
Prevention is a cornerstone of effective welfare. That’s why RoR is heavily invested in education, offering events for a wide range of stakeholders.
For those who own and ride former racehorses, we host ridden clinics and residential camps, and we regularly engage with equine colleges to provide talks and live demonstrations. Beyond the equestrian community, we also work closely with the racing industry to promote the importance of planning for every horses’ future post-retirement.
You don’t need to own a former racehorse to become a member of RoR or to join our educational events. By joining RoR for free, and opting into contact from your Regional Development Officer, you will receive updates about what’s going on in your region and how you can get involved.
Two of our flagship educational events that would be beneficial for livery yard owners to attend are Racing Insight Days and Introduction to Owning a Former Racehorse Days. More information on what these events are, and the structure of the days can be found by following the links below, and are also detailed on our regional Facebook pages:
Introduction to Owning a Former Racehorse Days
How Livery Yard Owners can help
Livery yard owners are often at the forefront of care for former racehorses, especially when these horses are in the early stages of retraining or adapting to life after racing. We recognise the demands this can place on yard owners and managers, and RoR is here to provide support.
For any help or advice regarding former racehorses, our dedicated Ask the Experts email address is the first point of contact, and we would encourage both yard owners and owners of former racehorses to get in touch, should a query regarding welfare or retraining arise.
It’s also important to ensure that all former racehorses on your yard are registered with RoR. Basic membership is free and gives access to our full range of educational opportunities, from online webinars to in-person training events. Registration also helps us track and support the welfare of every horse bred to race—regardless of whether they reached the track or not.
Working together for the future of the thoroughbred
Livery yard owners and managers are in a unique position to influence the lives of former racehorses. By working together, we can continue to improve the welfare of these remarkable horses and ensure they enjoy the second careers and safe futures they deserve.
If you are caring for a former racehorse—or supporting someone who is—please don’t hesitate to reach out. RoR is here to support you, every step of the way.