Retraining racehorses

Question
I am a training Consultant for the UK Charity Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) and have been asked if I can find help for a young lady who lives near Rotorua, North Island, NZ with her ex-racehorse.
Do you have any organizations in NZ or know of a good, sympathetic trainer experienced in working with these horses.

Thank you
Kind regards,
Rowena

Answer
Hi Rowena,
         I do not think we have a sister organisation in NZ that specialises in the retraining of race horses. We certainly have one for ex racing greyhounds.

Your contact could check the website www.nzracing.co.nz which is the central site for all things thoroughbred in NZ or look under www.searchnz.co.nz.
There are plenty of trainers listed on the nzracing site. I suggest she find a woman trainer, they are more likely to be concerned about about the welfare of retired racehorses. That sounds a bit chauvinist but its probably just human nature.

She could try SPCA who may have a contact or her local pony club.

Another possibility is either John Cottle, Mark Todd or Tinks Pottinger, all members of our Olympic Equestrian team who have a record of taking ex racehorses and making world class show jumpers/dressage horses out of them

Hope this helps,

Regards,
Don Boddie