New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has launched its new welfare strategy, Together for the Thoroughbred, which establishes a unified, industry-wide framework to ensure high standards of care for Thoroughbreds throughout their entire lives. The strategy integrates existing welfare practices across breeding, racing, and post-racing life into a consistent, transparent, and evidence-based system centered on the horse’s wellbeing. It emphasizes continuous welfare improvement through science-based approaches like the Five Domains Model, enhanced traceability from birth to retirement, and the creation of the Thoroughbred Welfare and Ethics Advisory Group to provide independent oversight and expertise.

The strategy focuses on safer racing and training, responsible breeding and ownership, stronger retraining and rehoming pathways, and improved education and communication within the industry. Transparency and accountability are key pillars, with clear expectations set for all participants to track and support horses responsibly. Together for the Thoroughbred reflects the industry’s collective commitment to valuing and caring for every Thoroughbred throughout its life, reinforcing welfare as inseparable from performance and a shared responsibility across the New Zealand racing community.