Australia

Our rehoming program is comprised entirely of retired geldings. Following their retirement from racing, each horse will return to one of our farms in New South Wales or Victoria to enjoy a well-deserved break. The length of each retiree’s spell varies depending on each individual horse.

Following their arrival to one of Godolphin Australia’s spelling farms, each horse is assessed by our team of bloodstock and veterinary experts to determine, to the best of their ability, if the horse has the physical and mental aptitude for a second career. Every horse is given a minimum 6-week spell, giving each horse the time to wind down and socialise with other horses again. If the horse was retired from racing due to an injury, it is given the necessary medical treatment and rehabilitation period prior to being offered for rehoming.

The horses that Godolphin Australia offers for rehoming vary with regards to retraining. Our horses may:

• Be rehomed out of the paddock following their spell
• Receive basic re-education by Godolphin’s Education team prior to rehoming
• Be retrained by accredited or acknowledged retraining facilities or individuals

Godolphin places a large emphasis on our education system which begins when they are foals. Godolphin’s education system (from the ground to saddling and through to barrier training) provides our horses with an important solid educational foundation that makes a difference later in their life when they retire from racing and transition into a second career.

Godolphin Australia rehomes between 1 to 20 horses each year. You will find the horses currently available for rehoming in the Horses available page. If you find the horses listed are not suited to what you are looking for in your retired racehorse, please submit a rehoming application. Your application will be retained, and should a suitable horse become available we will be in touch. Please be aware that due to high demand for off-the-track thoroughbreds, we do have a waiting list. 

Godolphin places high importance on matching the right person to the right horse. The rehoming application will help our Rehoming Manager make a suitable match for you.

Godolphin Australia are transparent in the information provided to potential new owners to ensure the horse can meet their expectations and is not pushed past their limits. Upon rehoming our retired racehorses’ new owners are advised of the full racing and veterinary history.

All our retired racehorses are rehomed with:

• Their full racing & veterinary history
• Godolphin Lifetime Care Registration Certificate
• Godolphin Lifetime Care ID Card
• Godolphin Lifetime Care cap

Every retired racehorse is recorded within the Racing Australia Register. As a participant/owner in the Australian racing industry it is a requirement for Godolphin to immediately notify Racing Australia of a horse’s retirement and location.  Your name and contact details will be provided to the Registrar for the benefit of the horse’s welfare.

Godolphin do not charge a fee for our retired racehorses.  However, we do ask you sign our Sale Agreement which outlines the transfer of ownership.

The health, wellbeing and long-term care of our horses is of the upmost importance to us at Godolphin.

Once each horse is rehomed, Godolphin make it a priority to remain in contact with the new owners of our retired racehorses and enjoy following their progress.

Through the selection process to match a retired thoroughbred with a new owner and a new career, we are aiming for successful matches for the benefit of the horse. However, should there be a situation where the match does not work out, we invite owners to reach out to discuss other options.

We are committed to the long-term care and welfare of our horses and we are invested in their life past the point of transfer.