Latest from Horse & Hound in The-racehorse-sanctuary

Racehorse sanctuary risks closure as it struggles to meet crippling £250k running costs

Sarah Radford — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 07:01:50 +0000

One of the UK’s original racehorse rehoming charities could face closure in the next two months if they are unable to raise the funds to carry on.

Graham Oldfield and Sue Collins started rehabilitating horses off the track 27 years ago, and founded their current charity, The Racehorse Sanctuary in 2005.

In the face of escalating costs, they downsized from their Surrey based to a more affordable plot in Somerset 15 months ago. But despite reducing the number of horses in their care from 30 to 15, Graham said the charity is still fighting to make ends meet.

“In an ideal world what we’re looking for is a fairy Godmother to give us enough to keep running or for someone who is prepared to give us premises on a peppercorn rent — we need somewhere, ideally in the south of England so we could still raise funds, with 12-15 boxes and sufficient acreage to cover that amount of horses.

“Donations have been coming in thick and fast since we appealed on our Facebook page, people are doing their best, but in two months time the bank account will be empty.”

A”difficult time for all charities” combined with a series of recent setbacks has left the sanctuary facing a deadline.

“We hoped the move the to West Country would save us a great deal of money but the move itself was expensive and ate into our reserves,” Graham explained. “Although we have a lot of support, it does take time to re-establish after re-setting up.

“We’ve had a shocking winter, which has meant more hay, feed, abcesses and vets’ bills and we also lost one of our major fundraising functions this year — our Christmas ball — when our sponsor dropped out.”

Despite other fundraising efforts in the pipeline, the sanctuary’s running costs of around £250k a year are still proving hard to maintain.

Around 4,000 horses leave the racing industry each year, and Graham said the charity was approached at least four or five times a week by people trying to find a home for them.

“We have some oldies but nine out of 10 of our horses are rehomed, we aim to move them on so we are able to take more in,” he said. “We retain ownership of all the horses and we are very fussy before we allow a horse to go to a home, I carry out every single initial inspection myself and spend a great deal of time on the road.

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New home for The Racehorse Sanctuary

The Racehorse Sanctuary has moved from West Sussex and 30 horses are now settling into their new home in Surrey

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“What we won’t do is work it on such a shoestring that the standard has to drop — we want everything done correctly and we don’t want to lower those standards”

He added that he hoped to raise enough funds to finance the sanctuary for a year to give them “breathing space” or at the very least time to rehome the current horses for which they have a duty of care.

Anyone wanting to donate to the The Racehorse Sanctuary can text HORS20 and an amount of £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10 to 70070. An example text would be: HORS20 £10, making sure to send this to 70070. Alterntively you can visit https://www.justgiving.com/racehorsesanctuary/donate

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9 reasons to rehome a racehorse — and what you need to consider first

Amanda Vlietstra — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 17:06:32 +0000

Find out why you should consider taking an ex-racehorse on and why you need to think seriously about your decision first

1. Ex-racehorses can excel in every discipline

“Retired racehorses are extremely versatile, intelligent and quick at learning new skills, therefore they can generally adapt to almost all equestrian disciplines,” says Gillian Carlisle, chief executive of The British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre. “It is however fair to say racehorses struggle with developing the same amount of collection and engagement and therefore higher level dressage can be a challenge too far for many retired horses. Over the years, retired racehorses have competed at the highest level in eventing. Obviously this needs enormous luck as well as the normal talent and dedication, but thoroughbreds are bred to compete and will always repay your efforts.”

2. …But you do need to have the right support

“Anyone who is thinking about taking on a retired racehorse must ensure they have adequate experience, suitable facilities and that they have sufficient time,” Gillian says. “It’s also preferable if they have a support network in place, whether that be an instructor or a retraining centre, so they’ve got someone to turn to if they require any help or advice.”

3. They can make great hacking horses

“There are horses who’ve never raced, or raced very lightly, and who are just too slow with low miles on the clock so will lend themselves well to an alternative career,” says Grace Muir, chief executive of racehorse rehoming charity HEROS. “They also make great hacks or leisure horses.”

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4. Many of them will already have been retrained

HEROS, for example, does a great deal of work with the horses before looking to rehome them. “We endeavour to iron out any initial common problems before we re-home our horses — standing to mount, hacking alone, turnout routines, different tack, different aids etc,” says Grace. “Each horse is different so the challenges can be very few with the horse adapting to a new way of life easily, while some take longer and can be more complex.”

5. …But they’re still not a good choice for a first horse

“A novice rider with little horse husbandry knowledge is not the right person to be thinking of taking on a racehorse. They’re not good first horses. Owners need to have an understanding of the amount of time and care required in caring for the horse,” says Grace. Graham Oldfield, co-founder of The Racehorse Sanctuary, adds the following common sense suggestions to the list of unsuitable candidates: “The very young, an elderly person who wants a quiet hack, and those who have ridden at their local riding school and have decided it is time to have their own horse.”

6. They’re very loving

“They can be extremely affectionate and thrive on human interaction,” says Gillian.

7. …But can be high maintenance

“Thoroughbreds need more frequent shoeing and dental care than many other breed,s but they amply repay this extra commitment because most thoroughbreds love the company of humans. A thoroughbred needs a purpose in life and they do not do well simply turned out in a paddock to fend for themselves,” Gillian adds.

8. The idea that thoroughbreds suffer more from ulcers and injuries than other breeds is a myth

“The ailments and injuries referred to can be associated with all equines,” points out Graham Oldfield. “Sadly the thoroughbred is believed to be worse than others, although personally I don’t think that this is the case. It’s spoken about more frequently with the thoroughbred due to the sheer numbers of horses coming out of training. These problems need to be dealt with when they occur as would be the case with any other breed.”

9. …But they may already have wear-and-tear from their racing career (that may cost you in vet’s bills)

“The National Hunt horses in general are more straightforward and level-headed, but can so often come with a history of injuries. The two, three and four-year olds coming straight from flat racing can be a lot more flighty, particularly the two-year olds physiologically as they’ve covered so much in their short lives and are still babies at heart,” says Graham.

New home for The Racehorse Sanctuary

Caroline Bankes — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 07:55:44 +0000

Thirty ex-racehorses are now settling into their new home in Surrey.

The Racehorse Sanctuary moved from West Sussex to nearby Stilemans in Surrey last month (27-28 July).

The charity — which won a Countryside Alliance Rural Hero award in 2011 — had been looking for new premises since being made homeless from its old home in Bridge Hill in Cowfold earlier this year.

It had been forced to sell its old property after a supporter, who helped buy the farm in the first place, asked for their money back sooner than expected.

New trustee Jane Kindred said: “We had so many offers of lovely places but decided on Stilemans because the facilities are exceptional and it is on sandy soil.”

The new site has a sand-school, extensive hacking in the woodland on the 140-acre estate, and 30 roomy brick-built stables.

The other new trustee is racehorse owner and trainer Carrie Zetter-Wells.

Founded by Graham Oldfield and Sue Collins in 2006 to give injured or retired racehorses a life after racing, the Sanctuary has an active re-homing scheme.

The horses, depending on their ability and state of health, are re-homed as hacking, competition horses or companions.

Possible homes are vetted and horses, which remain the property of the charity, are inspected regularly.

“We have a huge waiting list but following the move we are hoping to reduce this,” added Jane Kindred.

Visit the new website

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (14 August, 2014 issue)

Racehorse charity is first equestrian “Rural Oscar” winner

Amy Mathieson — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:18:25 +0000

The Racehorse Sanctuary in Cowfold, West Sussex, is the first equestrian business to win a “Rural Oscar”.

The charity, run by Graham Oldfield and Sue Collins, was nominated for a national Countryside Alliance award for its “selfless commitment to animal welfare, rehoming and giving therapy to retired racehorses”.

It scooped the Rural Hero award at a ceremony at the House of Lords last week (30 March).

This is the sixth year of the “rural Oscars”, set up to celebrate the “characters, produce, traditions and enterprise” of the countryside.

The Racehorse Sanctuary, which was formed six years ago, was nominated by members of the public and selected by judges.

“We’re absolutely thrilled and didn’t expect it at all. We’re very proud,” Graham told H&H.

“Racing is not normally recognised outside the sport, so this is brilliant. We’re currently looking for a new property as we’re at capacity with 25 horses, but have a waiting list of 60.”

Countryside Alliance chief executive Alice Barnard said: “Graham, Sue and their team are heroic, using their lifetime’s experience and love of horses to really make a difference.”

Other winners included Nursey of Bungay, Suffolk, producers of specialist equestrian saddles, which won The Daily Telegraph Traditional Business award.

Other winners included:

The special lifetime achievement award — The Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire for “sparking the local food movement in the UK”.

Local food award — Farrington’s Farm Shop, Farrington Gurney, Bristol

Village shop/post office award — Yarpole Community Shop Association and Post Office, Yarpole, Leominster, Herefordshire

Enterprise award — Growing Well, Low Sizergh, Kendal, Cumbria

Butcher award — SW Doughty, Doddington, Kent

Hunter rural hero (age 15 and under) — Tom and Lottie Sweet, Lampeter, Ceredigion.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (7 April, 2011)

No sign of missing racehorse after helicopter search

Amy Mathieson — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:10:08 +0000

A racehorse that went missing on a military firing range 10 days ago has still not been found, despite continued search parties.

Yesterday (Sunday 17 January) a helicopter from Redhill-based Charter-a carried out an air search of the 22 sqkm area in Camber Sands, Kent, looking for missing racehorse Zimbabwe.

The helicopter was chartered by an anonymous supporter of The Racehorse Sanctuary and Re-homing Centre in West Sussex.

Trainer Philip Sharp accompanied the pilot but there was no trace of Zimbabwe. The trainer last week told H&H he fears the worst.

“Unfortunately no signs of the horse were found throughout the intensive search,” said Graham Oldfield, chairman of trustees at The Racehorse Sanctuary.

“While this was very disappointing all involved were heartened by the fact that he wasn’t found to be suffering or badly injured in this very sensitive environment.

“Our commiserations go to Phillip Sharp who is currently suffering the trauma and upset which goes along with losing his horse under very difficult conditions.”

The Racehorse Sanctuary & Re-Homing Centre hosts open day

Horse & Hound — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:32:06 +0000

The Racehorse Sanctuary & Re-Homing Centre is hosting its first official open day at its new premises in West Sussex this weekend.

Gates will open at 1pm on Sunday 9 August at Belmoredean Stud, Maplehurst Road, Cowfold, West Sussex.

Horses parading will include the resident flagship of the centre — 1996 Scottish Grand National winner Moorcroft Boy, 1996 Grand National winner Rough Quest and dual Whitbread Gold Cup winner Topsham Bay.

As well as the parade there will be a ridden demonstration by Beccy Green on Crescendo, an auction, raffle and refreshments will be available.

For more information tel: 01403 865929 or 07710 904189 or visit: www.racehorsesanctuary.org

The Racehorse Sanctuary receives £20,000 from charity auction

Amy Mathieson — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:33:11 +0000

More than £20,000 has been raised for The Racehorse Sanctuary and Re-homing Centre at a charity lunch and auction held at Fontwell Park Racecourse.

Sunday 24 February was the second running of this event at which 170 guests enjoyed an afternoon’s racing while raising money for the charity at the West Sussex track.

Ex-jockey Colin Brown, who famously partnered the great Desert Orchid to 17 victories, hosted the auction.

Items included a hospitality box at Kempton Park for 20 people, a morning at the gallops with Brendan Powell and a day with Channel 4 Racing, with an appearance on The Morning Line.

Graham Oldfield, Chairman of Trustees for The Racehorse Sanctuary told H&H: “We are delighted with the support and generosity from both the racing fraternity and the general public.

“We are also pleased how this function has already become part of the racing calendar for so many people.”

The Racehorse Sanctuary was set up eighteen months ago by Graham Oldfield and Sue Collins — founders of the Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre. Currently there are 15 horses at The Racehorse Sanctuary in Cowfield, West Sussex, and 33 on the waiting list.

Mr Oldfield added: “We are completely self funded so the money raised at Fontwell will greatly help with our running costs.”

For more information www.racehorsesanctuary.org