Life after racing: descriptors of rehomed thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand

ABSTRACT Welfare concerns in the Thoroughbred racing industry increasingly focus on the rehoming of retired racehorses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and sales variables of Thoroughbred racehorses rehomed after their racing career. Horse details (pre‐sale photos, age, sex, height and career history) from 500 sales advertisements between August 2021 and November 2023 were examined using descriptive statistics. Body Condition Score (BCS) was assessed from photos using a modified Henneke 9‐point scale. Horses sold had previous careers in New Zealand (70%) or Hong Kong (30%), were 5 (IQR4–7) years old and 163 (IQR153–163) cm high. Horses that had raced within 2 weeks of arrival were lighter (451 [IQR432–479] kg) and had a lower BCS (BCS 5.5 [IQR5.5–6]) than horses who had been out of racing for longer (528 kg, IQR494–550 with BCS 6 IQR5.5–6, P < 0.001). Mares were fewer (23%), smaller (158 [IQR153–163] cm, P < 0.05) and sold faster (7 [IQR2–16] days) than geldings (13 [IQR 6–26] days, P < 0.05). Grey horses sold faster (5%, 7 [IQR2–18] days) than bay horses (69%, 13 (IQR 6–27) days, P < 0.05). Consumer preference and market specificity are important considerations for rehoming racehorses.