Rehoming your Racehorse
The following information pertains to industry participants looking to retire and rehome their beloved racehorses.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT REHOMING YOUR RETIRED RACEHORSE
Ensure that the appropriate retirement paperwork has been completed and your horse has been deregistered from racing.
Racing Australia Retirement Form
Identify a suitable pathway for placement of your horse from the list of options available. Consider the requirements for anyone taking on the horse as well as any special care needs that your horse may have.
- Use established pathways to place horses in their next home.
- Apply to enter the OTTWA Retraining Program.
- Advertise your horse for sale directly from racing on the OTTWA Website’s buy and sell page.
Undertake the necessary steps to place your horse, this may include taking current photographs for advertisements, organising spelling for a let-down period or recovery from any minor injuries, vetting and/or waiting until a placement is found for your horse.
If you are having trouble placing your horse or need assistance, please contact the OTTWA Retraining and Rehoming Coordinator for guidance for guidance by email at offthetrackwa@rwwa.com.au or call 9445 5371.
SALE DIRECT FROM RACING
Looking to sell a retired racehorse? OTTWA is here to help with a dedicated buy and sell page where your horse can be listed until a suitable buyer is found. Simply provide the information requested on this form, including pictures of your horse, and OTTWA will do the rest, at no cost to you.
If you’re not sure on how to best present your horse for sale, please view our ‘How to Present your Horse for Sale or Lease’ guide.
RETRAINED FOR EQUESTRIAN OR PLEASURE PURSUITS
Retraining a retired racehorse may increase its appeal for potential buyers in the equestrian market, and increase its suitability for a greater variety of riders. OTTWA can assist you in rehoming your horse via this route, by either applying to join the OTTWA Retrainer Program by emailing offthetrackwa@rwwa.com.au, or by contacting one of the Network Retrainers.
*Please note Network Retrainers operate independently of the OTTWA program unless otherwise specified.
Retrainers specialize in teaching retired standardbred or thoroughbred horses the necessary skills and experiences needed to transition from racing to their second career as a pleasure or performance horse. Retrainers can also help prospective buyers of horses to select a horse that is suitable for their abilities.
AVAILABLE AVENUES TO REHOME YOUR RETIRED RACEHORSE
There are many avenues available for rehoming your racehorse once it retires, including options where the horse remains within the racing industry, or where it moves on to equestrian or pleasure pursuits. The pathway chosen will depend on the suitability of each individual horse, however some common options include:
- Direct to stud or returned to breeder
- Industry sales
- Sale direct from racing
- Retrained for equestrian or pleasure pursuits prior to sale
Off the Track WA (OTTWA) provides support for thoroughbred and standardbred horses exiting the racing industry, through sale direct from racing or by retraining prior to sale.
OTTWA also provide ongoing support for owners who have purchased a retired racehorse by facilitating and hosting clinics and events, providing owners with educational materials to support their ownership journey, as well as access to a recommended panel of coaches with experience with retired racehorses.
Advertise on the Off the Track WA Buy & Sell webpage
Rehome through an OTTWA Network Retrainer
Submit Horse into the OTTWA Retraining Program
