From January 2025, a recent mandatory levy will be levied on sales companies, sellers and buyers at British auction houses across the board. This will provide critical additional funding for the aftercare of racehorses through British racing's official charity Retraining of Racehorses (RoR).
A contribution of £6 will be made to the RoR by Goffs UK, Tattersalls and ThoroughBid from every ticket sold. A further £3 will be collected from the seller of each lot and £3 from the buyer. This also includes online sales, with the respective sales companies providing the framework to collect this money on behalf of the RoR.
The additional funding will be used to “achieve ambitious goals for 2024-2026, including traceability of horses bred for racing, improved owner education and expanded welfare programs to ensure no racehorse faces an uncertain future after racing.” , said a statement released by the RoR on Wednesday.
The charity's chief executive, David Catlow, said: “This recent funding agreement is a crucial step forward for RoR and the thousands of former racehorses we support.” The generosity of Goffs UK, Tattersalls and ThoroughBid underlines their shared commitment to our mission. With this increased funding we are better positioned to achieve the objectives set out in the RoR Strategy 2024-2026.”
He continued: “This funding sets a benchmark for racehorse welfare that we hope all other stakeholders in the industry will follow.” It also strengthens RoR's role as an agreed provider of aftercare support and allows us to continue our Improve our ability to achieve our strategic goals.
“Further funding announcements involving other key racing stakeholders are expected in early 2025, reinforcing collective efforts to secure the future of former racehorses.”
Tim Kent, managing director of Goffs UK, which completed 11 UK sales in 2024, said: “Goffs UK is proud to support RoR through this improved funding model, ensuring that sellers and buyers are involved in the critical work of retraining and rehoming ex-racehorses. Together with Tattersalls and ThoroughBid, we are helping to ensure a sustainable future for these horses after their racing careers end.”
Tattersalls has just drawn the curtain on a record-breaking year of trading at Park Paddocks in Newmarket, which saw 1,785 horses offered during the December auction, transacting the equivalent of £141 million in nine days. Edmond Mahony, Chairman of Tattersalls, commented: “Tattersalls continues to support RoR’s Showing Series and this recent 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. With this initiative, Tattersalls reaffirms its commitment to the long-term care and retraining of racehorses, ensuring they have the opportunity to succeed in recent careers.”
James Richardson, CEO of ThoroughBid, which runs monthly online auctions, added: “We are delighted to be part of this collaborative effort to improve funding for RoR. Online blood sales play an equally critical role in supporting the welfare and future careers of former racehorses and we are proud to lend a hand ensure they can thrive in their post-racing lives.”
