Nuffield #19 Racehorse Aftercare in the UAE
There was no way I could do a Nuffield Scholarship looking at racehorse aftercare and not spend some time in the United Arab Emirates, the part of the world that gave us not only the three founding fathers of the thoroughbred breed, but also the other foundation stallions.
Today the UAE- especially Dubai- is synonymous with Flat racing , dominated by its ruling family the Maktoums. There is also an important Arab racing industry and the region leads the world in endurance riding with the Sheikks themselves competing in the 160km races.
With LAR founder Debbie at Meydan
As I was travelling to Australia and New Zealand it fitted perfectly to extend my stop in Dubai and actually take in the city that I’ve visited via airport stopovers six times in the past- but never actually visited. I gave myself two days to make sure that I could fit with other people’s schedules, and got in touch with Life after Racing UAE, the flagship organisation for promoting ex-racehorses in the Emirates.
The UAE has strict rules on charities, so LAR is very much an organisation not a charity. Other parts of the world have shunned charitable status because earning it means putting themselves in “rescue” categories, but in the UAE it just isn’t an option before you even get to public perception.
I started off with a visit to Dubai 5 Stables, a trackside stable which currently houses the Dubai Retirement Centre, a place that takes horses off the track and prepares them for new homes. Originally catering solely for horses owned by the al Maktoum family, DRC now takes on horses belonging to other owners with the same goal of finding them suitable homes.
The majority of the population of the UAE is made up of ex-pats and they drive the demand for ex-racehorses. At DRC horses have a let down period- which depends on their history, age, and the trainer they came from- and then do some light work to make sure that they are safe and sound to go to their new homes. Volunteer riders come to the stables which ensures the horses are used to different riders.
Arena set up for LAR show at Al Habtoor Polo Club and Riding Centre
Horses leave DRC on a loan basis with regular inspections and DRC retaining the right to take horses back if their welfare is at risk. The loan contract stipulates certain criteria, for example horses kept in the UAE have to have air conditioned stables to cope with the desert summers.
It’s not difficult to find homes for ex-racehorses, but the centre manager flagged that having good horses out in the wider equestrian industry is key for changing perceptions of thoroughbreds. If people see ex-racehorses at shows and events performing well they are more likely to consider them for themselves. This is something I think we need to see with dairy beef- if beef farmers see dairy beef calves performing well they will be more likely to buy in to an integrated model.
DRC has been around in different locations for about 20 years and has put over 400 horses out on contracts; 60 in the last year and a half since they moved back to the Emirate of Dubai and its easier fr people to access.
Winning jockey James Doyle returning to the parade ring
For horses that aren’t rehomed after racing or are taken on by DRC there is a risk that they will be sold cheaply through end of season sales and start a second career racing in neighbouring countries. That is a welfare challenge and something that organisations in the UAE are trying to stop.
I was really impressed by DRC and their commitment to ethical treatment of horses and finding the best homes- with a focus on finding good homes rather than homes where horses will fulfill their potential. Even if a horse is capable of competing at a high level, it is more important that they end up where they’ll be taken care of. The horses at the centre where some of the best conditioned thoroughbreds I’ve ever seen and a real testament to the top class care they receive.
In the afternoon I went to see an in-hand showing class put on by LAR, in which several DRC horses were competing. It was really nice to see horses in their new homes; it was really clear that these animals were deeply loved and looked after well. LAR has competition leagues where riders can submit scores through the season, culminating in an awards dinner and social. The organisation is relatively young having only been established a couple of years ago. By offering a structure it gives ex-racehorse owners a framework to compete in, and also showcases thoroughbreds to the wider industry.
The show was held at a riding school/polo club/livery yard establishment and followed by a grassroots dressage competition, so there were plenty of people around to see the ex-racehorses in action.
Needs must
That evening the founder of LAR very kindly took me to Meydan where she had a horse running. When I started my Nuffield I had some ideas of the things I’d see and do, but never would I have expected to end up in the parade ring at Meydan helping to judge the best turned out horse. It was an unforgettable evening and allowed me to see the lifecycle of thoroughbreds in Dubai from racing to retraining to new careers.
