Equine Welfare

As part of our commitment to the wellbeing of our horses in Australia, we established our Equine Welfare Program in November 2019. Whether the horse has been retired or is still racing, we endeavour to track and follow the progress of all our former racehorses.

Our Equine Welfare Program involves:

1. An ongoing tracking register of the whereabouts of each horse following it leaving OTI’s management, whether by sale or retirement. This will be done on a rolling 6 month basis.

2. Upon being moved from OTI’s management, a written agreement by each recipient of a horse to co-operate in the accurate maintenance of the register.

3. An ongoing commitment by OTI to employ an equine veterinarian to investigate any concerns that OTI may have regarding the care of each horse leaving OTI’s management.

4. Where appropriate, the payment of up to $2,000 to assist with veterinary or relocation costs.

The costs associated with this policy will be borne by OTI, not individual partners who were involved in the ownership of the horse while under OTI’s management.

We have also established important partnerships with several welfare-related charities. These include Lisa Coffey’s Racing Hearts, along with Living Legends and the Thoroughbred Sport Horse Association.

If you’d like to enquire about a former OTI racehorse that is now part of our Equine Welfare Program, we’d love to hear from you. We regularly stay in touch with our retired horses and their new connections, which allows us to follow their journey beyong racing.

Whether you’re a past owner, a fan, or simply interested in learning how a particular horse is enjoying life after racing, please contact lisa@oti.com.au and we’ll be happy to share an update with you.

Early Success Stories
Articles/media published as a part of OTI’s Equine Welfare Program can be accessed below.

  • December 2024, Life After Racing – Keeping Track, an article from Amanda Mac from the Equestrian Hub Magazine
  • August 2024, Interview with Dr Andrew Clarke from Living Legends
  • April 2024, Focus on welfare: The aftercare challenge
  • December 2023, OTI features on Racing Victoria’s ‘Here For The Horses’ podcast
  • December 2023, Life Of A Retired Racehorse
  • April 2023, OTI launches partnership with Racing Hearts (Page 7)
  • February 2023, OTI’s Equine Welfare Fund
  • June 2022, an interview with Lisa Coffey, the Founder & Director of Racing Hearts
  • May 2022, Au Pair’s Life After Racing
  • February 2022, Gailo Chop to head to Living Legends
  • November 2021, ‘Gailo Chop’s new life’, published by Racing.com
  • October 2021, OTI’s Equine Welfare Program feature within RV Off The Track
  • September 2021, an update on My Swashbuckler’s transition from racehorse to trail-riding horse in OTI’s Gazette
  • August 2021, Pharrell happy in his new environment
  • May 2021, a visit to High Bridge & the Lenehans
  • November 2020, a one-year reflection on our Equine Welfare Program
  • June 2020, a check-in on the progress of High Bridge, Fastnet Tempest, Instant de Reve, Master Zephyr & Tom Melbourne
  • April 2020, success stories stemming from the journey’s of Tristano, Condamine, Achaeus, Romanesque & High Bridge