Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) has announced that it is updating its eligibility criteria to allow all Thoroughbreds who have been bred for racing and who live in Great Britain to register with them free of charge. 

The change has been made in order to improve traceability within the industry and allow RoR to track and support these horses throughout their lives. It will also help to ensure that they have access to the necessary welfare and education programmes where and when needed.

In the past, RoR’s registration system only included former racehorses that had either been in training with a licensed racehorse trainer or had raced under a recognised racing authority, including point-to-pointers.

Horses who trained or raced outside of Great Britain were assigned NR (not raced) numbers, while those who raced in Great Britain received membership numbers without prefixes.

From now on, all Thoroughbreds can register with RoR regardless of whether or not they have been in training.

They will be placed into one of the following categories:

  • Not been in training (NT): Thoroughbreds bred for racing but never entered training with a licensed trainer
  • Not raced (NR): Thoroughbreds that have been in training but did not race or have raced abroad but not in Great Britain
  • Raced in GB: Thoroughbreds that have raced in Great Britain, including point-to-pointers

Keeping track

To ensure traceability, all horses registered as NT will still be required to have an official racing passport, such as a Weatherbys’ passport registered with the General Stud Book (GSB) or an equivalent international racing authority.

“RoR’s expanded eligibility to register with RoR underscores our continued commitment to safeguarding the wellbeing of all former racehorses, including Thoroughbreds bred for racing as outlined in the RoR Strategy 2024-2026,” said David Catlow, managing director of RoR.

“This ensures they receive the necessary support to lead a well-supported life beyond racing.”

All owners of Thoroughbreds registered with RoR will have access to a range of educational and welfare programmes designed to help these horses transition to second careers. These include training camps, clinics and events.

Currently, there is no change to RoR competitions and those Thoroughbreds that have not been in training will not be eligible to compete. 

Image © RoR

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