RACING AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2025 17 RETIREMENT AND WELFARE INSIGHTS Active Retired Horses (2024/25) Horses that raced or trialed during the season. The active group reflects horses transitioning out of the racing cycle, with short intervals between final start and retirement demonstrating strong stable-level responsiveness to welfare considerations. Injury and loss of competitiveness remain the primary drivers of retirement, and the strong uptake into equestrian pursuits highlights confidence in retraining pathways. DECEASED HORSES IN TRAINING 2024/25 Euthanasia 12% Euthanasia by Vet 66% Found Deceased 16% Abattoir 6% REASON FOR END OF LIFE FOR HORSES IN TRAINING 2024/25 Catastrophic Limb Injury 33% Condition/Illness/Disease 19% Cranial/Vertebral Injury 2% Injury Other 21% Natural Causes 4% Other 4% Sudden Collapse 6% Unsuitable for Rehoming (soundness/injury) 5% Unsuitable for Rehoming (behavioral/temperament) 6% RETIREMENT PATHWAYS FOR HORSES IN TRAINING 2024/25 Assited Rehoming 2% Auction 1% Breeding 17% Equestrian 50% Non-Equestrian 24% Private Sale 6% REASON FOR RETIREMENT FOR HORSES IN TRAINING 2024/25 Action by Racing Regulator 1% Age 6% Condition 5% Injury 13% Other 3% Owners Circumstance 13% Proactive Decision to Breed 10% Uncompetitive 48% Unsuitable 1%
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