Sourcing Ex-racehorses

[Kat]

I know there are a few people involved in racing on here and even more that have taken on ex-racers, so I'm hoping for some helpful suggestions.

I'm helping someone look for a new horse, their last was an ex-racehorse that they bought from a private home where he'd been for about 6 months after leaving racing. They are now looking for another horse and are happy to have another young ex-racehorse but prices have skyrocketed and often for horses with very little work put in post racing and often not good quality schooling either so I am not convinced it is even an advantage.

They have registered an interest with a few rehoming centres and are watching their facebook pages, but I was wondering whether anyone here could suggest any good rehoming centres that are decent and trustworthy that I might not have tried, or alternatively any trainers that might be open to a direct approach.

Ideally places around the East Midlands and South Yorkshire or within a couple of hours drive, although we'd travel further for a decent rehoming charity.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I'd bypass rehoming/retraining people just now. So many people who have been furloughed or found themselves with more time are calling themselves retrainers, picking up horses from racehorse trainers and selling them on few weeks later for massive profit and little to no education. Some have done more harm than good because they don't know what they are doing.

Check out the NTF's list of trainers - you can search by region - and drop them an email/message stating what sort of horse you are after, what you plan on doing with it in the long term etc. And that way you miss out the middle man, get the horse straight from source from the people who know it best and probably for a fraction of the price. If the trainer doesn't have anything then they may keep you in mind for any that do come up. There is no harm in asking all in the limits of your travelling.

This is a list of trainers but you can rejig the settings for any area:

https://www.racehorsetrainers.org/find/listtrainers.asp

 

[poiuytrewq]

As above. Just call around some trainers in the area, or in an area your happy to travel.
I always say if I wanted a horse as a project type I could find one and probably collect the same day. I’ve never tested my theory but most trainers most times have something finishing.

 

[poiuytrewq]

https://www.derbyshirehorse.co.uk/directory/racehorse-trainers-derbyshire

 

[Northern]

I'd bypass rehoming/retraining people just now. So many people who have been furloughed or found themselves with more time are calling themselves retrainers, picking up horses from racehorse trainers and selling them on few weeks later for massive profit and little to no education. Some have done more harm than good because they don't know what they are doing.

Check out the NTF's list of trainers - you can search by region - and drop them an email/message stating what sort of horse you are after, what you plan on doing with it in the long term etc. And that way you miss out the middle man, get the horse straight from source from the people who know it best and probably for a fraction of the price. If the trainer doesn't have anything then they may keep you in mind for any that do come up. There is no harm in asking all in the limits of your travelling.

This is a list of trainers but you can rejig the settings for any area:

https://www.racehorsetrainers.org/find/listtrainers.asp

Oh man, not just in the UK either. The amount of “XYZ Equine” pages that have popped up here in Australia flipping free TBs for thousands in several weeks is crazy. There are some obviously lame horses as well that people are paying crazy money for, probably without vetting.

OP direct from Trainer wound be my approach. They’re often busy but absolutely wouldn’t mind enquiries for good homes and your friend should be able to pick up something nice.

 

[Kat]

I'd bypass rehoming/retraining people just now. So many people who have been furloughed or found themselves with more time are calling themselves retrainers, picking up horses from racehorse trainers and selling them on few weeks later for massive profit and little to no education. Some have done more harm than good because they don't know what they are doing.

Check out the NTF's list of trainers - you can search by region - and drop them an email/message stating what sort of horse you are after, what you plan on doing with it in the long term etc. And that way you miss out the middle man, get the horse straight from source from the people who know it best and probably for a fraction of the price. If the trainer doesn't have anything then they may keep you in mind for any that do come up. There is no harm in asking all in the limits of your travelling.

This is a list of trainers but you can rejig the settings for any area:

https://www.racehorsetrainers.org/find/listtrainers.asp

That's my worry, the "retraining" that might have just confused things.

They're happy to take things slowly but really need another horse in their lives having lost their last one rather suddenly. Much as I love ex-racers I don't know much about the racing industry so it is really interesting to hear from someone who does, and to know that trainers are open to that kind of approach.

Thanks

 

[Kat]

Any tips on things to look out for or avoid when buying straight from a trainer? Or any advice on finding the right horse?

We're looking for something that will become a nice hack and do some riding club and local shows. Nothing big or ambitious and no rush.

 

[Batgirl]

Mick Easterby sold my friend an absolute cracker

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Lyndsey and Derek shaw seem to have a few. Think they are on a permanent loan basis. Cheveral house also have some in. Currently have a beautiful baby. Usually unridden for around £500. History usually known

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Trainers generally don't just palm their horses off to the first person who comes along. They make sure they are the right fit for each other as it looks bad for them to have a horse passed on and on and on.

If you go to see one speak to the lads and lasses that look after the horses. They will be able to tell you far far more than the trainer ever will on the horses personality, quirks etc if they have any.

I deal with the majority of the rehoming from our yard and I much prefer the people who write me a paragraph on what they are looking for in a horse. It makes it easier to match people and horses up. Sending a message just saying - what have you got for rehoming - annoys me and gets a - nothing right now - response.

 

[Gamebird]

Find out who your local-ish trainers are and follow their FB pages. I am pretty involved with racing and my FB feed is full of trainers advertising horses leaving training. Some are long-term loan (they don't want them back, but the racing owner retains ownership, so not your horse to sell on), others are sales. The RoR website also has a page for ex-racehorse sales, both direct from trainers and from rehoming centres/private homes. Some trainers are cottoning on to the fact that these horses have a value, and if they sell for a reasonable price they are more likely to get a better home, so you will see quite a lot in the low thousands. These are often the better retraining prospects - the nice rides who might have done a bit of flatwork/poles etc whilst in racing and look the type to excel at another job. There are still quite a few for free/under 1k. Sometimes this is just because people want rid quickly, but they are more likely to be the ones with quirks or injuries that need rehabbing before you can start riding, or that don't quite scream 'potential eventer' etc.

 

[Kat]

Lyndsey and Derek shaw seem to have a few. Think they are on a permanent loan basis. Cheveral house also have some in. Currently have a beautiful baby. Usually unridden for around £500. History usually known

I am in touch with both already thanks

 

[Kat]

Thanks for the tips, we've got one trainer fairly close and he doesn't seem to have anything for rehoming on his Facebook page but I'll compose a decent message expressing interest and maybe try a couple a bit further out.

 

[Widgeon]

Mick Easterby sold my friend an absolute cracker

He does seem to have some nice ones, follow him on FB and he posts vidoes and information about anything he has for sale. Details are also on his website. He doesn't seem to sell for cheap but they usually look to be nice horses, so I would take that as a positive sign!

 

[Gamebird]

Mick is an old school horseman and wheeler dealer (of anything!). He knows the value (and potential) of what he has. He will be fair though and will be happy for you to come and try the horse, which not all trainers will.

 

[Keith_Beef]

If the added complication of finding a horse over here in France, then transporting it back to the UK, doesn't put you off, then Écuries Seconde Chance seems to have a good reputation.

Web site in English here.

 

[Batgirl]

Mick is an old school horseman and wheeler dealer (of anything!). He knows the value (and potential) of what he has. He will be fair though and will be happy for you to come and try the horse, which not all trainers will.

Exactly this, she got a very 'normal' visit, someone rode, she rode, they lunged it over bigger jumps so she could see his form.

 

[TheBayThoroughbred]

I haven’t used them myself but a friend rehomed from the British Thoroughbred Agency, they seem to have really nice ones and a wide range of abilities. They also say they’ll take back the horse at any point, so if ever your friends circumstances change she knows that her horse will be looked after.

 

[criso]

Lyndsey and Derek shaw seem to have a few. Think they are on a permanent loan basis

They used to be sold, maybe they are having to be careful with Facebook rules and don't put a price anymore.

They are a perfect example of people who know horses, aiming for a market and pricing according. They seem very honest in their description, which have quirks or are more challenging; which are showimg serious talent and which would be happy hackers and when they could put prices, these reflected the horse.

 

[Kat]

I haven’t used them myself but a friend rehomed from the British Thoroughbred Agency, they seem to have really nice ones and a wide range of abilities. They also say they’ll take back the horse at any point, so if ever your friends circumstances change she knows that her horse will be looked after.

Thanks, I hadn't heard of them but have just added them on Facebook and will keep an eye out.

 

[Kat]

Exactly this, she got a very 'normal' visit, someone rode, she rode, they lunged it over bigger jumps so she could see his form.

I will definitely have a look then!

 

[TPO]

Jo Midgely is selling a chestnut ex racer that hes trained.

The horse's progress vids are all on his fb page. You would be pretty much guaranteed a nice well mannered horse with all the groundwork done ready to be brought on schooling wise.

It's not a preschooler horse iykwim, just one hes got doing ground work, standing to be mounted (moves and lines up with block) and made a "good citizen" ready to go and have a career.

Think he only raced once but the advert and vids on Jo's page do far more justice than my attempts to explain the situ have!

 

[Velcrobum]

I got mine via Retraining of Racehorses web site from a local trainer so that might be worth a look. I went 3 times to see him. 1st was standard working in the school and jumping a few fences then I had a sit. 2nd was to hack him out by by myself alone but he was a bit footy and I was not happy. Trainer said they would get him re-shod, would I like to come back and go out for another hack when he had been done so I did. Had a super hack made an offer for cash which was accepted collected him the next day.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Another recommendation actually, she used to be a member on here but I can’t think of her user name now so I’m not sure if she still is but I bought one off her before I worked in racing and he was pretty much as advertised and she was a nice honest straight forward person to deal with is Vici Morse was Vici Price.
She has a FB page

 

[TPO]

I bought (TPO) from Vici way back in 2007 and highly recommend her too. I travelled from central Scotland to her in Hereford during the 2007 floods, that's how much I wanted TPO. She was exactly as described, open to vet (& passed) and my biggest regret is not taking Vici up on her offer of TPO's full brother when I lost TPO.

So even if shes a bit of a journey for you my opinion is that shes worth the travel if you like what's advertised. Her adverts are truthful and I found her incredibly honest.

Just googled and Vicis website doesnt appear to exist anymore but there is this facebook page as well as her personal one

https://m.facebook.com/viciandrichmorseequestrianservices/?locale2=en_GB

 

[criso]

I nearly went to try one at Vici Morse's last time I was looking but it was sold before I could go and view. I think they have to be careful about advertising for sale with facebook rules so may be worth contacting. They seem to do good basic work with the horses in the school so you can get an idea from the videos and the horses will be ready to be brought on.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I bought (TPO) from Vici way back in 2007 and highly recommend her too. I travelled from central Scotland to her in Hereford during the 2007 floods, that's how much I wanted TPO. She was exactly as described, open to vet (& passed) and my biggest regret is not taking Vici up on her offer of TPO's full brother when I lost TPO.

So even if shes a bit of a journey for you my opinion is that shes worth the travel if you like what's advertised. Her adverts are truthful and I found her incredibly honest.

Just googled and Vicis website doesnt appear to exist anymore but there is this facebook page as well as her personal one

https://m.facebook.com/viciandrichmorseequestrianservices/?locale2=en_GB

Oh that’s quite cool! Was yours trained by her dad?

 

[poiuytrewq]

I nearly went to try one at Vici Morse's last time I was looking but it was sold before I could go and view. I think they have to be careful about advertising for sale with facebook rules so may be worth contacting. They seem to do good basic work with the horses in the school so you can get an idea from the videos and the horses will be ready to be brought on.

She’s very honest. She’s also good with “after sales”
I bought mine in 2005 and had a few issues, now I work with racehorses I can see exactly why and what those were. She listened and advised, never making me feel I was being thick or wasting time.

 

[TPO]

Oh that’s quite cool! Was yours trained by her dad?

Bred by him too

 

[jhoward]

If the added complication of finding a horse over here in France, then transporting it back to the UK, doesn't put you off, then Écuries Seconde Chance seems to have a good reputation.

Web site in English here.

Omg pleassseee don't your start the whole *franch* thing off again

You may need to use the search bar to see where I'm coming from.