Racing Victoria commits $25 million to radical plan to save retired racehorses

Following the devastating reports of the mistreatment of retired racehorses in recent days, the sport’s governing body will put $25 million towards a ‘landmark commitment’ to treat thoroughbreds with humanity.

Racing Victoria will splash $25 million on a radical plan to track retired racehorses, rehome them and set up a welfare taskforce to prevent cruelty.

The “landmark commitment” comes in the wake of devastating reports detailing how former gallopers are brutally treated in interstate abattoirs, and ahead of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Racing Victoria is demanding all sectors of the industry “step up and be accountable for treating thoroughbreds with the humanity they deserve in life and in death.”

The racing authority will provide for registered vets to “humanely” euthanise horses on Victorian farms before they are disposed of, in a bid to stop owners sending live horses to “meat sales” for as little as $250.

It is likely this could be subsidised.

The “landmark commitment” comes after devastating reports regarding the brutal treatment of retired racehorses.

The plan is to be rolled out alongside a Victoria Racing Club pledge to redirect 10 per cent of all public ticket sales from this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival and a 5 per cent of VRC membership fees to the club’s Equine Wellbeing Fund.

The VRC will tip in $1 million to kickstart the scheme, as Racing Victoria promises:

• An equine welfare taskforce

• A statewide rehoming program to transition retired thoroughbreds into second careers or homes

• Post-racing career options, including through an expanded Off The Track Program

• A statewide short-to-medium term foster program

• An advanced tracking system to monitor the location of retiring Victorian thoroughbreds to at least their first post-racing home

• Independent audits of the status of all thoroughbred and broodmares, and analysis of data on livestock sales; and

• Support for a national responsible breeding campaign led by Racing Australia.

Racing Victoria has promised a list of changes.

Racing Victoria chairman Brian Kruger says the organisation is committed to improving the treatment of racehorses.

Racing Victoria chairman Brian Kruger said it was clear that “we need to step up and do more”.

“The horses are the stars of our sport and no one will argue that they must be treated as such,” he said.

“The events and stories of the past 10 days have galvanised both public and industry opinion and created an opportunity to fast track initiatives already planned.

“There are many challenges to overcome, particularly when the racing industry has no jurisdiction or oversight of retired racehorses, however we are committed to making important steps in the interests of our equine stars and the sport more broadly.”

Racing Victoria also called on regulator PrimeSafe to assure the community animal welfare standards were maintained and compliance was strictly enforced in Victorian knackeries and abattoirs.

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The authority said anyone who breached laws that governed knackeries and abattoirs should be “prosecuted to the fullest extent” to deter those who do not take animal welfare seriously.

Racing Victoria also renewed its call for collaboration between the Federal and State Governments to develop a National Horse Traceability Database.

It will fund its action plan — a minimum $25 million over the first three years — through increased investment, the industry sustainability fund and an increase in the industry contribution from 1 per cent to two per cent of prizemoney.

VRC chairman Amanda Elliott said: “We want everyone to know that we are absolutely committed to the wellbeing of racehorses both on and off the track,”

“We are pleased to support the industry with our own substantial fund.