It would be a lie to say that there are no UK Thoroughbreds going to slaughter, but I don’t know the actual number. What I can say is, as above, we do have a much better system of support in place in the UK than in Ireland. Maybe it’s, as I saw someone else say on social media, the fact that racing falls under Ministry of Agriculture (so horses are considered livestock) in Ireland but under DCMS (Dept of Culture, Media and Sport) in the UK - it means there is a different outlook on things. Fact of the matter is that Ireland is the 3rd largest producer of Thoroughbreds in the world (USA and AUS are 1,2) but they have one of the smallest racing programmes - to put into context, they produce around 9,000 foals (56% of which are declared as flat bred) per year but only have approx 900 2yos in training (figures for GB are 4500 foals (75% flat bred) with 3,000 2yos). Approx 45% of the 2yos in GB are Irish-bred compared to 15% of 2yos in Ireland being GB bred. So Ireland cannot cope with the number of horses they have and are therefore a net exporter. They are heavily reliant on owners/trainers from other countries buying their horses and that’s a really unstable position to be in.
This article is on RP which gives some numbers about Thoroughbreds going for slaughter in Ireland, though obviously it doesn’t include those exported for slaughter. https://www.racingpost.com/news/lat...ed-in-condemnation-of-panorama-footage/501421
This article has just appeared on RP, though it’s behind the paywall. I’ve taken screenshots as I can’t remember the web link to that archiving site that will store them in an available format. The article points out, as I mentioned earlier, that there is no coherent rehoming/retraining programme in Ireland and that needs to change.
The article mentions the funding to ROR. I’ve seen the breakdown for 2019 which is frankly embarrassing for certain sectors of the industry. Just £5,000 from the sales companies despite turning over tens of millions each year and less than £10,000 from breeders who have a voluntary levy of £12.50 per foal. The first thing to change is to make the goal levy compulsory and introduce a sales levy - in the US their is a voluntary sales levy of 0.05% or $5 in every $1,000 but all the major sales houses pay into it.
If an owner wants to send their horse to an abattoir, isn't that their right to do so. I think the above article is right in that owners should take responsibility and not leave it solely up to the trainers but i don't see a problem with an abattoir been an option for them. I imagine its the cheapest and easiest option.
In defence of breeders many of them organise their own rehoming schemes so may feel they already do their bit. The Godolphin scheme is a great example. They retrain then rehome large numbers but always retain ownership so that they cannot be sold on. Many years ago I contemplated rehoming one and was lucky enough to try out a beautifully bred gelded son of Dubai Millennium. Sadly he was too much horse for my abilities but I like to tell folk I’m one of a select bunch that got to ride a progeny of the great DM given he only ever produced 56 foals! https://www.godolphinlifetimecare.com/
The issue is more that the most humane way for a horse to be euthanised is at home in stress-free surroundings. It is of course an ideal and not always possible. One suggestion is that the cost of home euthanasia is prohibitive, if you add in the cost of disposal you’re looking at the best part of £500 over here. An option could be for BHA to hold a fund that can be called upon by owners to fund, in full or part, the cost of home euthanasia to ensure the highest welfare standards are upheld.
Shouldn’t it be that all race horses have to be insured and signed as not fit for consumption. The insurance would then cover end of life costs.
Most horses are only insured for third party liability. I don’t know if the premiums might be prohibitive to cover euthanasia and disposal.
Got to say the sales companies should be hanging their heads in shame at that miserable contribution. If they were to pay up 0.05% then that would generate millions for the rehoming charities and there would likely be tax advantages for them as they would be giving to charity. Making the breeder levy compulsory would also be a benefit - £12.50 is not a lot these days. I've seen social media about the Godolphin former racehorses and some of them really have interesting new careers including falconry and para dressage. Some of the horses to have been rehomed were pretty successful on the racecourse
