All British-based thoroughbreds bred for racing are now eligible to be registered with Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) as the industry seeks to improve equine traceability.
RoR registration was previously only available to horses who had either raced or been in training with a licensed trainer.
“We want to ensure that all thoroughbreds bred for racing, regardless of their background, are given every opportunity to lead a well-supported life beyond the racing industry,” said RoR managing director David Catlow.
“The horses don’t know whether they’ve raced or not. They all deserve the same level of care and consideration.”
Mr Catlow added that the shift is central to the charity’s 2024-2026 strategy.
Horses are eligible wherever they were bred in the world, provided they are now located in Britain. Those registering under the new system will be given a membership number beginning with “NT”, to signify that they have not been in training. All RoR horses must hold an official racing passport, typically from Weatherbys or an equivalent issued by a recognised racing jurisdiction.
Eligibility for RoR’s competition series remains limited to those who have been in training, to “ensure a level playing field”, but the charity said that this “will remain under review as it monitors the impact of the new registration criteria”.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
RoR said in a statement these horses “can now be brought into the fold and offered the same educational and welfare support as their raced and trained counterparts”.
“This change isn’t about numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s about making sure that no horse is overlooked,” added the statement.
“Traceability, in RoR’s terms, is not about control. It’s about care. By knowing where former racehorses are, what they’re doing, and who’s looking after them, the charity is better placed to offer support, address any welfare concerns early and celebrate successful second careers.
“It also allows the racing industry to demonstrate its commitment to the horses it breeds, long after their time on the track – or in this case, long before they ever got near one.”
It added: “The wider equestrian community stands to benefit from this change too. With more thoroughbreds visible in RoR’s network, owners, retrainers and potential riders can access a broader pool of well-documented horses.
“And as RoR continues to invest in education and support programmes, more horses and their owners will be able to take advantage of clinics, camps and advice to support them in their training to meet their goals.”
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
