'This is about recognising the need for something practical' - launch of Howden's Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme

On the day prominent owner-breeder David Howden launched the Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme with his The Howden Way, leading figures from the racing and equestrian worlds gathered at Ascot racecourse. 

Howden is involved in both the racing and eventing spheres, with daughter Jemima a leading young event rider for Britain, while his own silks have been carried to victory on the track by high-class performers Roaring Lion and Roman Mist. 

He took the helm for this ex-racehorse initiative, with personalities such as Mick Fitzgerald and Izzy Taylor being interviewed by host Alice Plunkett on Friday. 

The Howden Way was established in May 2022, and the initiative is comprised of three areas: The Howden Way Talent Academy, The Howden Way Young Horse Academy and The Howden Way Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme.

On creating the last-named, Howden explained: "I'm passionate about racing but also passionate about eventing. Eventing's a great sport.but it's not always easy for people who don't know it or for people who want to get into it.

"Horses spend half their lives racing and they need a second life afterwards, so how can we take what we learnt from The Howden Way and put it into racing? 

"That's where the Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme comes in to create real accessibility. It's a combination of two things, an online training programme and over 2,000 training opportunities across the country, divided into eight regions across England, Wales and Scotland with 16 trainers. 

"It allows people to realise, 'Oh, maybe a thoroughbred really is for me'. The lovely thing Alice [Plunkett] said, you wouldn't get a Ferrari and give the keys to your daughter or son, you'd give them a bit of training. This to me is about recognising that as an industry the need for a second life for racehorses and the need for something practical."

The programme offers former racehorses and their owners with step-by-step advice and guidance from qualified coaches, with plenty of places available for horses and riders. 

Howden said: "There are two sides. You go on the website and all the basics are there, you can ask questions and then we've teamed up with 16 trainers, all from different regions, with over 2,000 places to go and get training. It's all about accessibility and if we can get hundreds of racehorses going through this programme and expand it, how fantastic would that be?"

The programme also coincides with a new event class held at Cornbury House Horse Trials, where Howden is president, in conjunction with Jayne McGivern of Dash Grange Stud.

He said: "The applications are already open and the first training courses start in January. In conjunction with Cornbury, next year we've got a new course, which is a class Jayne McGivern's backed for anyone who has a racehorse and wins the two star there. There's £45,000 in prize-money, so I want to do something at the top end but also make it accessible for everyone."

Howden enjoyed Royal Ascot success this year with high-class homebred Running Lion, a daughter of the late Roaring Lion who also captured Group 1 black type when second in the Prix de l'Opera. The soon-to-be five-year-old is set to continue her racing career with John and Thady Gosden.

Howden said of the Duke of Cambridge Stakes winner: "She's a filly and must make up her own mind, fillies always do! If she wants to race again, I want to race again."

The great and the good gathered ahead of racing on Friday, including the likes of Mark Johnston, Kim Bailey and Paul Nicholls, with several leading event riders also present, with Taylor joined by Tina Cook and Lucy Jackson. 

Nicholls said: "It’s a great idea and you have to applaud David Howden and his team for thinking about it and putting money behind it. Aftercare of thoroughbreds is massively important. Half a racehorse's life is in training, so the rest of their lives they can be doing something else. The more people interested in it, the better. 

"I’m just one trainer who has made sure all the horses have had a great second home and enjoy their lives afterwards. I’m sure everyone does the same, but to be able to showcase that and have the platform is important."

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