Racing NSW has purchased a 2600-acre facility at Capertree, 40 minutes north of Lithgow, that will be used for the rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming of Thoroughbreds after their racing careers.
The initiative is part of the Racing NSW Equine Welfare Fund, which was established in October 2015 and is funded by 1% of all prizemoney paid in NSW, totalling over A$2-million annually. The purpose of the fund is to ensure all NSW Thoroughbreds, including those that didn't make it to the racetrack, will be appropriately cared for outside their racing careers. Horses will be retrained to find new homes in equestrian sports, pony club, polo and as pleasure horses or paddock mates. The facility will also be used for industry training and for retired champions.
“This is a major investment, not only for the rehabilitation of racehorses, which is a paramount objective of the board, but also as an investment for the future as a land bank that could have a multitude of uses for the NSW Thoroughbred racing industry in the future,” said Racing NSW Chairman Russell Balding.
The property will also serve as a weekend destination for those wanting to purchase a retrained Thoroughbred, with facilities including a bed and breakfast and shearer huts and eco-tourism activities like trout fishing, four wheel driving, organic pick-your-own cooking and trail riding.
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