Straight Six Racing commits to the highest standards of equine welfare
Equine welfare throughout a racehorses’ career and beyond is a top priority for thoroughbred syndicator Straight Six Racing
“The horses’ welfare is at the centre of all of our strategic decisions, from which trainer is best suited to training individual horses, to the timing of the different developmental stages of their careers, and to life after racing for these beautiful animals.”
— Michael Ward, Founder & Director, Straight Six Racing —“My first consideration when I’m inspecting horses in the lead up to yearling sales is whether the animal is likely to be sound and suitable for racing,” Michael says. “Those horses that we do acquire are closely monitored throughout their racing careers by trainers and specialist equine veterinarians.
“Each horse is set an individualised program which is continuously monitored and reassessed to meet their specific needs and ensure all steps taken are in the horse’s best interest. For example, the length of spells and pre-training programs are adjusted to ensure the equine athlete returns to full training in excellent condition.”
For their post-racing life, Michael says “we are committed to finding suitable homes for them where they will continue to be loved and well cared for”.
Retired thoroughbreds can find new lives post-racing as broodmares, therapy horses, showhorses, pleasure horses, in dressage or as nannies to orphaned foals.
As part of its ongoing commitment to the welfare of its horses once they retire from racing, Straight Six Racing vows to:
- Advise Racing NSW of the location and name of the people responsible for the horse;
- Only transfer horses to locations that meet Racing NSW standards;
- Make all reasonable endeavours to find a home for all horses in retirement; and
- Only transfer horses to new homes once they have received all necessary veterinary care to ensure they are ready to move on to the next stage of their lives.