The MyRacehorse Horse Super Fund
To achieve Equine Utopia, MyRacehorse are proud to introduce a retirement fund for our horses. Introducing the Horse Super Fund (HSF)!
With every micro-share purchase, a portion will be dedicated to the HSF, enabling owners to actively contribute to the welfare of their horse. Additionally, MyRacehorse will match this contribution. At the end of the horse’s racing career the funds raised in the HSF will be drawn upon to support the horse’s transition to a post-racing career. Together, we’re creating sustainable horse racing ownership, and safeguarding the future well-being of our horses.
100% of funds raised are put toward transitioning, retraining and rehoming MyRacehorse owned horses to ensure they have a valuable life after racing.
Annual Transitioned Horse Audit
Our Equine Welfare consultant, Jen Krawczyk, has finalised the MyRacehorse equine welfare, post racing tracking audit. Please note this audit will occur annually and be completed up to the end of the previous racing season July 31.
View the MyRacehorse Annual Transitioned Horse Audit 2023 here.
Our Equine Welfare Consultant
Introducing, MyRacehorse’s equine welfare consultant, Jen Krawczyk, who holds Masters degrees in equine science and animal welfare and ethics. Jen has dedicated her career to safeguarding racehorses following their racing career having led the development and delivery of Racing Victoria’s Equine Welfare Strategic Plan, their world leading post-racing framework and the expansion of their Off The Track Program.
As a committee member of the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) and recently recognised as the 2023 Victorian Wakeful Club Lady of Racing for her commitment to improving post-racing outcomes, she is well qualified to support our horses as they transition from their racing careers.
Our Mission
Horse welfare and responsible ownership is a non-negotiable for MyRacehorse and we know this is important for our owners too.
The MyRacehorse approach to horse welfare spans their entire life cycle. This starts with the way we identify and select our horses, the trainers we partner with, and importantly the commitment to supporting their transition after racing.
At MyRacehorse, we strongly believe that racing is a first career of many for thoroughbreds and it is important that our decisions and processes support this. We understand that horses can live into their late 20s and beyond while the majority of horses retire from their racing careers at 5 years old, leaving a world of opportunity for one or more happy homes for each horse. MyRacehorse is committed to supporting the best possible first transition from racing and staying in touch with our horses into their first post-racing home and beyond. Well educated horses find, and stay, in good homes and that is our ultimate aim.
As well as supporting the welfare of our own horses, MyRacehorse wants to model sustainable racehorse ownership. We want to demystify the post-racing landscape for our owners, engage them in the transition process and embrace it as a core piece of the ownership experience.
When you own with MyRacehorse, not only can you be assured that your horse(s) will be given the best possible opportunities post-racing but you will develop a deep understanding of responsible racehorse ownership and the standard you should expect through any future ownerships.
The Commitment
There are four focus areas for the MyRacehorse post-racing commitment:
We know that decisions that support good post-racing transitions start a lot earlier than retirement from racing. That is why we are committed to working with elite industry professionals who share our commitment to post-racing outcomes. Beginning with horse selection and acquisition, we partner with reputable bloodstock agents (Belmont Bloodstock), likeminded and the best trainers, in addition to getting an independent vet approval to be deemed fit for racing.
For example, MyRacehorse trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy cross train their horses with dressage during their breaks from racing, this helps them prepare for their next career by learning new skills and building different muscles – the bonus is that this supports them in their racing career too!
Thoroughbreds retire from racing with many desirable attributes and our aim is to support them to develop complementary new skills to take them into their second career and beyond.
We understand that all horses are individual and there are many possible avenues for post-racing careers. The Individual Assessment is conducted in consultation with the trainer (and vet where appropriate), considers the horse’s physical and behavioural attributes and determines the horse’s most appropriate pathway for a successful transition. From a MyRacehorse perspective our Equine Welfare consultant, Jen Krawczyk, is heavily involved in this process, she is well qualified to support our horses as they transition from their racing careers.
Following the assessment process, MyRacehorse carefully selects the most suitable retrainer from the relevant State-based accreditation program and works with them to tailor a retraining program that fits the horse’s transition prospects and needs. Some horses may require spelling and/or rehabilitation which will be factored into their pathway.
Equally importantly, we will work with the retrainer to ensure each horse is rehomed appropriately for their ability to ensure the horse’s welfare, suitability and longevity in their new home.
We do also understand that as with any horse, there may be those that are not physically or behaviourally suitable for a second career. On the rare occasion that a horse is not suitable for a second career they will be retired to a paddock for the remainder of their lives while in good health.
Staying in touch starts by ensuring that all new owners of MyRacehorse horses, whether that is continuing or following their racing career, know of our commitment to their post-racing welfare, the transition pathways available and our active interest in any future ownership transitions.
Staying in touch continues with regular check-ins for the remainder of the horse’s life even if they transition to second, third and more homes post-racing.
MyRacehorse will actively encourage new owners to share their updates on Racing Victoria’s Off The Track Community so owners can follow them there.
Additionally, MyRacehorse will register as the ‘Full Circle’ emergency contact for all MyRacehorse horses past and present on Racing Victoria’s Off The Track Community.
The Full Circle program is a safety net that will support MyRacehorse to stay in touch and ensure the horse always has an option, if they ever need further assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
To achieve Equine Utopia, MyRacehorse are proud to introduce a retirement fund for our horses. Introducing the Horse Super Fund (HSF)!
With every micro-share purchase, a portion will be dedicated to the HSF, enabling owners to actively contribute to the welfare of their horse. Additionally, MyRacehorse will match this contribution. At the end of the horse’s racing career the funds raised in the HSF will be drawn upon to support the horse’s transition to a post-racing career. Together, we’re creating sustainable horse racing ownership, and safeguarding the future well-being of our horses.
100% of funds raised are put toward transitioning, retraining and rehoming MyRacehorse owned horses to ensure they have a valuable life after racing.
There are four elements to the MyRacehorse post-racing commitment:
1. Considered Preparation – A successful post-racing transition starts with decisions made well before a horse commences racing, from breeding to early education, on to race training, retirement decision and finally the transition from racing.
2. Initial Assessment – Once a decision is made to retire a horse from racing, an assessment is made in consultation with the trainer and, where necessary the vet, to determine the best transition pathway.
3. Successful Transition – The transition pathway may include retraining, spelling, rehabilitation, rehoming and/or paddock retirement.
4. Staying in Touch – Staying in touch starts by ensuring that all new owners of MyRacehorse horses, whether that is continuing or following their racing career, know of our commitment to their post-racing welfare, the transition pathways available and our active interest in any future ownership transitions. Staying in touch continues with regular check-ins for the remainder of the horse’s life even if they transition to second, third and more homes post-racing.
All horse’s that have previously been owned by MyRacehorse are eligible for our post-racing commitment.
It is the responsibility of all racehorse owners to provide for a successful transition from racing so it is likely that the horse’s new racing owners will have their own post-racing provision. However, MyRacehorse will stay in touch to ensure that this is the case and can support where necessary.
There is not a set amount dedicated to each horse. Some horses will require more support than others so the HSF is a central fund that is accessed on a case by case basis and managed by MyRacehorse.
It is important that horses are valued and so it is our ethos that all MyRacehorse horses will be sold for a price based on their abilities. But the money is not the driver, the horse will be sold to the most suitable home even if that’s not the highest price.
When it has been determined that a horse is suitable for an equestrian or pleasure home the price will be set by MyRachorse in discussion with the retrainer. Depending on the horse’s abilities, the price will likely range between $1k-$5k, maybe a little more for exceptional horses.
As a responsible ownership group, MyRacehorse will make a decision in consultation with our professional team of industry experts, which includes Equine Welfare consultants, bloodstock agents, trainers, retrainers and vets. Owners will be kept up to date through the retirement, transition and beyond.
Absolutely! This is something MyRacehorse encourages for all our owners. It can be so rewarding to follow your horse into their post-racing life regardless of whether that is into a leisure or competitive home or even paddock retirement.
MyRacehorse will actively encourage new owners to share their updates on Racing Victoria’s Off The Track Community so owners can follow them there.
Additionally, MyRacehorse will register as the ‘Full Circle’ emergency contact for all MyRacehorse horses past and present on Racing Victoria’s Off The Track Community.
The Full Circle program is a safety net that will support MyRacehorse to stay in touch and ensure the horse always has an option, if they ever need further assistance.
All horses are individual and depending on their physical abilities, previous education and planned pathway, the transition can range between 3-12 months. The HSF allows flexibility to provide the time the horse needs.
The majority of retiring racehorses will make an excellent transition into a second career however, as with any horse, there may be those that are not physically or behaviourally suitable for retraining. On the rare occasion that a horse is not suitable for a second career they will be paddock retired.
At MyRacehorse, we strongly believe that racing is a first career of many for thoroughbreds. Horses can live into their late 20s and beyond while the majority of horses retire from their racing careers at 5 years old, leaving a world of opportunity for one or more happy homes for each horse.
Like any retiring athlete, there are new skills to be learned to support a successful transition. Thoroughbreds retire from racing with many desirable attributes and retraining supports them to develop complementary new skills to take them into their second career and beyond.
Well educated horses find, and stay, in good homes and that is our ultimate aim for our horses.
Euthanasia is an uncomfortable topic but an important aspect of responsible horse ownership. In certain circumstances, euthanasia can be the most compassionate and kindest outcome for a horse.
For MyRacehorse horses, this decision will not be taken lightly, it will be made in consultation with vets, equine welfare consultants, trainers/retrainers and MyRacehorse management, and always be in the interests of the best welfare outcome for the horse.
Horse welfare charity Project Hope have an excellent guide if you would like to understand this topic more.
If you still have questions you can email our equine welfare consultant on equinewelfare@myracehorse.com.