A racehorse is a horse bred and trained to compete in horse racing. Horses bred to race usually have a pedigree tracing back to one or more successful sires, who are usually stallions. Racehorses are usually kept in stables and trained by a professional horse trainer.
Main Breeds of Racehorses
The main breed of racehorses in Australia is the Thoroughbred. These horses, which descend from the Arabian, Barb and Turk, are known for their speed and agility. Other popular breeds of racehorses include the Standardbred and the Quarter Horse.
How Many Racehorses Are There In Australia?
According to the Australian Racing Board, there were approximately 18,000 registered racehorses in Australia in 2020. This figure includes all horses registered to race in Australia, whether they are competing or not.
Number of Racehorses in Each State
The number of registered racehorses in each state in Australia varies. The majority of racehorses are based in New South Wales, which has the highest number of registered racehorses at 8,225. Victoria is the second most popular state for racehorses, with 5,938 racehorses registered in 2020.
- New South Wales – 8,225
- Victoria – 5,938
- Queensland – 2,910
- South Australia – 1,074
- Western Australia – 818
- Tasmania – 762
- Northern Territory – 239
Number of Retired Racehorses
It is estimated that up to 4,000 of the 18,000 registered racehorses in Australia are retired each year. Retirement of racehorses is usually due to age, injury or poor performance. Once retired, some of these horses are re-homed to other owners or sent to stud farms, while others may be sold to slaughterhouses.
Rehoming Racehorses After Retirement
Rehoming retired racehorses is an important part of the horse racing industry in Australia. There are various organisations across Australia dedicated to the rehoming and adoption of retired racehorses. These organisations provide support and advice to owners of retired racehorses, as well as programs and events to help rehome the horses.
Rehoming Programs
Rehoming programs for retired racehorses are available in each state. These programs provide owners with the opportunity to rehome their horse to a new home where it can be cared for and enjoy a second career. The Australian Racing Board also provides a list of approved rehoming organisations on its website.
Adoption Events
Adoption events are held throughout the year to help find homes for retired racehorses. These events are organised by rehoming organisations and racing clubs and provide owners of retired racehorses with the opportunity to showcase their horses and find new homes.
Conclusion
There are approximately 18,000 racehorses in Australia, with the majority based in New South Wales. Each year, up to 4,000 racehorses are retired and rehomed through various programs and events. Rehoming retired racehorses is an important part of the horse racing industry in Australia and organisations across the country work hard to find new homes for these horses.