Equine Welfare Bulletin Equine Welfare Bulletin
The health and wellbeing of all thoroughbreds is, and has always been, at the heart of our culture at the VRC. Our love and respect for horses has fuelled our involvement in the sport of horseracing and will continue to drive our future actions.
We are, all of us, the champions for happy, healthy, thoroughbreds, and we are proud to share these stories with you.
Equine welfare always has and always will be paramount to the VRC. The safety of the horses, along with all racing participants and racegoers, is our absolute number one priority.
Zakki's second act
From champion racehorse to up-and-coming eventer, Zaaki finds another pathway for athletic excellence.
When Annabel Neasham first met Zaaki at the end of 2020, she had no idea of the impact the Britishborn racehorse would have on her early years as a trainer. He arrived in Australia fresh from being trained in England by Sir Michael Stoute and he debuted down under in the 2021 Group 1 Doncaster Mile.
Finding a stable home
Stable ponies are the unsung heroes of the racing industry. Often a role taken on by racehorses after they finish their life on the track, each stable pony is carefully chosen to offer companionship and reassurance to younger horses. Their calm temperament and good nature are effective at soothing nerves in unfamiliar or highly-charged environments, such as the races.
READ MOREVRC Ambassador Amanda Ross takes on Cascadian
Amanda Ross, a renowned equestrian and former Olympic rider, has been a VRC Ambassador since 2020 and is thrilled to work with Cascadian. She praised his athleticism, movement, and temperament, stating he is well-suited to excel in equestrian sports. Ross looks forward to showcasing Cascadian in competitions, confident that his best years are ahead of him in this new chapter.
READ MOREHealing champions
Recovering after a serious injury is even tougher and we meet some of the experts that are there to help.
READ MOREThe rhythm of race day for Esti Feny
Race day for any stable with a horse running that day is a blend of excitement, meticulous preparation, and unwavering dedication. We followed Esti Feny to see what goes into a typical race day.
Equine Welfare Measures
A horse’s journey doesn’t end at the finish line after a race; it continues with a series of rituals designed to ensure their wellbeing and recovery.
Care on course
The Racing Victoria veterinary services team is committed to protecting equine welfare and maintaining the integrity of the sport. Each race day, General Manager of Veterinary Services Grace Forbes and her dedicated team care for the health and welfare of the equine athletes.
Beach benefits
From city lights to sandy beaches... dual training facilities are now becoming more common for many trainers, as they seek to offer their horses more variety in their care.
Emma Booth: Journey of determination
In the high-stakes world of para-equestrian sports, the path to success is often paved with unexpected challenges and moments of resilience. Emma Booth embodies this spirit of perseverance.
READ MOREThe importance of pre-training for young thoroughbreds
The breaking in and pre-training of young thoroughbreds is a crucial part of their racing career; Woodlow Equine, run by Sam Woods and Shenae Lowings, aims to improve that early equine experience
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