BHA Launches New Five-Year Welfare Strategy Focusing on Lifetime Traceability

The BHA has launched a new five-year welfare strategy targeting 100% lifetime traceability for Thoroughbreds and 20 priorities for improved equine safety.

The new 2027–2031 Horse Welfare Strategy introduces 20 key priorities across quality of life, safety, lifetime responsibility, and public trust.
A central ambition of the strategy is to achieve 100% lifetime traceability for all Thoroughbreds bred for racing in Great Britain.
The plan includes enhanced data sharing, the use of digital vaccination records, and ongoing leadership from Retraining of Racehorses regarding aftercare.

British racing has officially unveiled its comprehensive Horse Welfare Strategy for 2027–2031, marking a significant evolution in the sport’s commitment to the wellbeing of Thoroughbreds. Introduced at a parliamentary reception in Westminster, this new roadmap builds upon the foundational work of the 2020 'A Life Well Lived' initiative. The strategy is built around four primary outcomes, focusing on veterinary research, injury prevention, governance, and maintaining high levels of public confidence through increased transparency.

A critical component of this five-year plan is the pursuit of 100% lifetime traceability for horses bred for racing in Great Britain. By improving data collection from birth through to retirement and beyond, the Horse Welfare Board aims to create a fully connected digital history for every horse. This commitment to Lifetime Responsibility is intended to strengthen oversight, improve welfare accountability, and aid in biosecurity and disease preparedness across the equine sector. The sport intends to work with government partners to explore scalable models that could eventually benefit the entire national equine population.

Retraining of Racehorses will continue to spearhead aftercare efforts, operating alongside the new strategy to boost visibility for former racehorses and secure necessary funding. The strategy will be supported by the Racing Foundation and the Horserace Betting Levy Board to ensure the delivery of these long-term goals. These efforts, supported by a cross-industry team, demonstrate the sport's proactive approach to utilizing technology and evidence-based research to improve welfare standards. Further details regarding this commitment can be found in the official Source: BHA press release.