A comfortable retirement
Successful Go Racing galloper No Return has unfortunately had his Australian racing career cut short with a tendon injury.
Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller is gutted. “He was such a consistent horse on the track and was a real stable favourite. But unfortunately this is a fairly typical injury in a good horse.”
Says Racing Manager Albert Bosma, “The welfare of our retired horses is a priority for us. For several years now, Racing NSW has operated a wonderful initiative to transition retired racehorses to new homes largely funded by a 1% tax on stake money.”
The Thoroughbred Horse Rehabilitation Trust (established in 2011) is a not-for-profit charity set up to assist in the rehabilitation, re-education and rehoming of retired NSW Thoroughbred racehorses.
“When thoroughbreds finish their racing career, their future can often be uncertain. Not all horses are suitable for a breeding career, and their potential off the track often goes unrealised,” says Bosma.
No Return’s comprehensive rehab programme begins with four weeks of boxing so the injury heals. Then he will be hand walked twice daily for 15 minutes at a time. After 2-3 weeks this will be increased to 30 minutes. At three months he will be able to be ridden but only for 10 minutes at a time. This will be increased slowly so that at the six month mark he can be ridden at a trot, canter or light gallop. From there he will be re-homed.
In a win-win for the broader community, the Trust partners with Corrective Services NSW. Inmates from the St Heliers Correctional Centre work with the horses in the early stages of the retraining process.
The program provides inmates with skills, training and prospective employment opportunities in the thoroughbred industry, through the completion of relevant tertiary qualifications.
Says Albert, “We are extremely grateful for this initiative. Our owners can be assured their horses are well cared for beyond racing.”
Learn more about the Trust here.