The leading organisations in British Racing today launched a national campaign at Sandown Park鈥檚 Tingle Creek Christmas Festival to raise awareness of the high standards of equine welfare and care given to racehorses.
The Horse Comes First is an industry wide initiative supported by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Racecourse Association, Racehorse Owners Association, Professional Jockey鈥檚 Association, National Trainers Federation and The Jockey Club, promoting the sport’s commitment to the welfare of horses throughout and after their careers in racing.
Speakers at the launch at Sandown Park included Steve Harman, Chairman of the British Horseracing Authority, together with Dr Peter Webbon, former Chief Executive of the Animal Health Trust, and Jock Bennett, winner of the Employee of the Year award at this year’s Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards.
Steve Harman, Chairman of BHA, said:
鈥淚n the five months since I took on the role of Chairman of BHA, I have spent a lot of time talking to people whose livelihoods depend on the sport, including breeders, trainers, jockeys, stable staff. You only need to spend a short time in their company to recognise and understand that everybody in this sport cares passionately about horse welfare. The bond between man and horse is the common thread running through all of the sport鈥檚 participants.
鈥淭he launch of The Horse Comes First campaign is a significant step in raising awareness of the first class care and attention that is given to the 14,000 racehorses in training. We are proud to be one of the organisations supporting The Horse Comes First and we will be working with the racing community to push the campaign further in 2014. Confidence in the sport鈥檚 commitment to horse welfare should be an asset; one which we use not only to protect racing鈥檚 reputation but to also help promote the sport and increase its customer base.鈥�
The launch saw the unveiling of the campaign material, including an exclusive video shot at Nicky Henderson鈥檚 yard highlighting the day to day care racehorses enjoy, along with leaflets and posters featuring the campaign鈥檚 key messages and photographs of the grade one winning pair Oscar Whisky and Finian鈥檚 Rainbow. The video and adverts will be shown across the country at all of Britain鈥檚 major race meetings, supported by a range of activities designed to promote standards of care.
British Racing has a track record to be proud of, being among the world鈥檚 best regulated animal activities, and recognised as a world leader on horse welfare. British Racing also prides itself on the high level of care it provides to racehorses, investing over 拢23 million since 2000 in Veterinary Research and Education, an investment which benefits to all breeds of horse in Britain, not just Thoroughbreds.
To see the stunning video ‘Duty of Care’ highlighting the standards of care racehorses receive:
For more information about The Horse Comes First campaign, please visit
