news RoR appoints Jeremy Mantell as Welfare Consultant

• Vet with a ‘wealth of experience’ succeeds Paul Jepson in July

Dr Jeremy Mantell has been appointed Welfare Consultant to Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), British horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of horses who have retired from racing.

A past President of the British Equine Veterinary Association, Jeremy Mantell will succeed Brigadier Paul Jepson in the role of RoR Welfare Consultant, following the latter’s retirement in July after five years in the post.

Mantell’s new job will take effect from Monday 8^th July. He brings to the role over forty years of experience as an equine veterinary surgeon. He was previously Managing Partner at the Liphook Equine Hospital, which employs a team of over 100, including vets, nurses and support staff. For over 30 years he was also a veterinary surgeon at Goodwood and Fontwell Park racecourses.

In addition to his extensive first hand veterinary experience, he has appeared as an expert witness in a number of high profile civil and criminal court cases and is a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ independent Preliminary Investigation Committee, which examines complaints regarding the professional conduct of veterinary surgeons.

As RoR Welfare Consultant he will be responsible for assessing former racehorses deemed ‘vulnerable or unwanted’ and monitoring their progress within RoR’s vulnerable horse scheme. Using a network of approved rehoming centres located around the country, the scheme takes in on average 100 horses a year and oversees their rehabilitation and rehoming.

He will also work closely with other welfare organisations, such as World Horse Welfare and the RSPCA, in promoting and protecting the welfare of former racehorses.

Jeremy Mantell said: “As an equine veterinary surgeon who has spent the majority of my career in practice, I am really looking forward to this slightly different role and the opportunity to play a part in improving the overall welfare of former racehorses.

“I have a deep-rooted interest in horseracing and a great appreciation for the thoroughbred. They are a special breed; with their athleticism, intelligence and, as the work of RoR has shown, they are also very versatile and adaptable animals.

“RoR is comprised of a small but dedicated team and I am looking forward to working closely with them, as well as the charity’s approved centres and building on existing relationships with other welfare organisations.”

Di Arbuthnot, Chief Executive of RoR, added: “We are delighted to welcome Jeremy as part of the team, he is much respected throughout his profession and his wealth of experience will be invaluable.

“In terms of our welfare strategy, RoR’s approach in recent years has been one of prevention is better than cure. Through education and the staging of hundreds of classes and competitions, we have developed a genuine demand for former racehorses in the wider equestrian world. In addition, we have in place, through the vulnerable horse scheme, a safety net to take in and care for those former racehorses that could be at risk without RoR’s intervention.

“Jeremy will oversee this side of the operation, building on the good work done by Paul Jepson. As the focus on all welfare related issues in horseracing increases, we recognise how important it is that RoR continues to develop its welfare role and ensures that the interests of former racehorses are protected throughout their retirement from racing.”