About us

Every year, more than 2,000 racehorses retire from racing in Great Britain. Like people changing jobs, these horses need to learn new skills, adapt to new environments, and sometimes find new homes.

Established in 2000, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all former racehorses through various preventative measures, including:

• Setting industry standards for retraining former racehorses.
• Providing training and education to owners to build lifelong partnerships with their retired racehorses.
• Promoting the versatility of these horses in various equestrian activities and facilitating their participation in competitions.
• Maintaining a robust tracking system for former racehorses through RoR membership.

RoR also extends support to former racehorses in times of need through its welfare work.

Find out more about our work in the RoR Strategy 2024-2026.

Patrons and ambassadors

RoR is privileged to have the support of distinguished individuals, including Zara Tindall MBE, who was appointed as the patron of RoR in 2023. Additionally, Sir Tony McCoy OBE, a revered figure, also serves as a patron for the charity.

Their involvement highlights the esteemed backing that RoR receives from high-profile personalities, further contributing to the organisation's impact and success.

Leading jockeys Richard Johnson OBE and Frankie Dettori MBEs were appointed RoR Ambassadors in 2015. The two have first hand experience of rehoming former racehorses having both provided homes to horses that played a pivotal role in their respective careers.

In 2017, Captain Guy Disney MBEs was appointed an ambassador to RoR. Earlier that year Disney became the first amputee jockeys to win a race under rules and has twice won the Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown Park.