United States Eventing Association

Auction in United Kingdom Helps Place Retired Racehorses in New Careers

Thoroughbred auctions are commonplace both in the U.S. and abroad, and play a major role in the marketplace of Thoroughbred race horses. However, a recent auction in the U.K. saw the sale of several Thoroughbreds for a very different purpose.

A new type of Thoroughbred auction has emerged, thanks to the U.K.-based organization, Retraining of Racehorses (ROR). ROR organized the first public auction of Thoroughbred retired race horses for second careers on March 20. The auction, held by Brightwells at the Three Counties Show Ground Malvern, offered 30 catalogue entries, 12 of which were sold for prices ranging between about $920 and $1685, according to a release on the ROR website.

Notably, British Olympic eventer Jeanette Brakewell will have a new face in her barn thanks to the auction. According to Horse and Country, six-year-old gelding Barton Blount (Beat All – Katie Savage) was bought for $1685 by Jill Sackett for Jeanette to ride.

Each horse that is sold, both via ROR’s online sale and live auction, is sold with a non-racing clause attached to its papers. Launched in April 2000, ROR is British Horseracing’s official charity of the welfare of retired racehorses. ROR hopes to continue the sales for Thoroughbred race horses seeking a second career as demand for both buyers and sellers continues.