Ballarat Turf Club announces project to give horses a better chance of life after racing

Outgoing chief executive Lachlan McKenzie announced BTC Life After Racing would be launched next year, during committee room speeches at Ballarat Cup Day.

It will be an online platform for Ballarat-based trainers to log the details of any horse that is retired or considered unsuitable for racing.

Details logged will include age, sex colour, size, temperament and experience of the horse, as well as videos and photos, to aid the re-homing process.

"The club is committed to then taking that information out into the broader community to anyone who is looking for a horse for a non-racing discipline - whether it be adult riding club, pony club, dressage, show jumping, Western riding or even just a pleasure horse for a pet," Ms McKenzie said.

"We want to make sure any horse that is trained at Ballarat that is not suitable for racing for any reason can find a home.

"We want to do our bit by being the conduit between those looking for a horse and those who have got them."

Mr McKenzie said it had been stipulated that horses could not be sold for more than $500 on the platform.

The announcement of BTC Life After Racing comes after Racing Victoria included a statewide re-homing program and a tracking system in its $25 million commitment to equine welfare in October.

This widespread focus on horse welfare follows shocking media reports and investigations that revealed the cruel treatment and mass slaughter of retired racehorses and racehorses considered too slow.

Investment in BTC Life After Racing was Mr McKenzie's last announcement as chief executive of the Ballarat Turf Club.

He said the club was fully committed to the project and estimated it would cost around $20,000.

"It is something I am very proud the club has decided to do," Mr McKenzie said.

"Although it is a national issue even international issue, if we can do something about it in our own backyard that can only be positive."

"I said in the committee room for my Ballarat Cup Day speech that I like making announcements. I was pleased to be able to make this one - it is one of my better ones."

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