News RoR sets out three-year strategy to safeguard the wellbeing of former racehorses

RoR unveils strategic roadmap: seeking full industry support to achieve targets

Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is launching its three-year strategy for 2024-2026 – setting out its vision for the future and a roadmap to achieving its goals.  

Responding to societal changes and debate around racing’s social licence to operate, the strategy takes a much-needed long view on the delivery and expansion of RoR’s charitable work in the aftercare of former racehorses, now and in the future.  

David Catlow, Managing Director of RoR, said: “Our strategy is ambitious, but it comes at a time of real need. RoR now requires the full support of the industry and the commitment of the funding required to build on our core activities and maximise our impact.

“Our welfare and support work is embedded through our strategy. Concurrently, increasing the demand for former racehorses, educational initiatives, traceability and building the RoR community are vital components aimed at proactively addressing potential welfare issues.

“Universal support for our strategy will serve as a powerful testament to the industry’s commitment to aftercare. A successfully delivered strategy will position British racing with an aftercare structure to be truly proud of, reflecting positively on the entire industry.”

Chair of the RoR Board, Philp Freedman, said: “At its core, this strategy clarifies RoR’s position as the leading provider of strategic support and direction of aftercare, as set out in the recommendations of the 2021 Aftercare Funding Review. It is about ensuring that, through RoR’s activities and racing’s commitment to aftercare, no racehorse ever faces uncertainty or neglect once their racing days are over. We look forward to collaborating with our stakeholders, members and our external partners to deliver this strategy.”

RoR’s strategy outlines the charity’s key priorities over the next three years, centring on seven pillars of activity:

1. Welfare and support
2. Retraining standards
3. Education and community
4. Increasing demand and raising awareness
5. Traceability
6. Fundraising, marketing and communications
7. People, governance, finance and sustainability

It is underpinned by its mission to safeguard the wellbeing of all former racehorses.

To read the strategy in full visit  RoR Strategy 2024-2026.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For more information, please contact Vicky Vine, Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications, at RoR, vvine@ror.org.uk or telephone 07467 182825.

Retraining of Racehorses

Founded in 2000, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is British Horseracing's official charity for the welfare of horses who have retired from racing. We believe every former racehorse deserves a life well lived, throughout every stage of their life. For more information visit www.ror.org.uk