'It's a case of how long we can survive' - racehorse charity urging for support

A charity that specialises in providing care and rehoming to high-dependent ex-racehorses is on the brink of extinction after the coronavirus outbreak brought a stop to all fundraising activity.

The Racehorse Sanctuary, based in West Sussex, looks after up to 25 retired racehorses in the yard and oversees many more who have been successfully rehomed. It takes in horses who may require additional care, animals with mental and physiological issues, and aims to retrain and find them a new home.

The sanctuary is fully self-funded but the coronavirus pandemic has forced a stop to all fundraising events, leaving it deep into its overdraft. Annual running costs are around £210,000.

Graham Oldfield, co-founder of the Racehorse Sanctuary with Sue Collins, is asking for online donations.

He said: "We're 100 per cent self-funded, we have two racedays a year at Fontwell and Sandown and apart from that our fundraising crew are out there all the time shaking buckets to raise pennies. Suddenly, it has all stopped overnight, but bills still have to be paid and horses still have to be fed.

"We're in an overdraft situation and getting towards the top end of it. It seems now a question of how long we can survive. Fundraising has ceased so any support we can get is seriously important."

Donate to the Racehorse Sanctuary

One of its unique services is the High Dependency Unit, a dedicated rehabilitation unit that was created following a grant from the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Charitable Trust. This has led to a high demand of owners wanting to send their retired racehorses to the sanctuary.

Oldfield added: "We're full to the brim and I'm turning around five or six horses every week over the phone – there's such a high demand for it. The virus has slowed down rehoming as you can't get out and about. We have to inspect where the horses are going.

"These horses have given us so much pleasure, whether they're at the top-level or in sellers or claimers. Not all horses are superstars – just because they don't win doesn't mean these horses don't deserve a place on the planet."

Katie Oborne from the Racehorse Sanctuary with Mr Vitality (far right)Credit: Graham Oldfield

John Francome is one of the sanctuary's patrons and stressed how important its work is. He said: "Everything comes from the heart with Graham's outfit, they've been doing it for a long time. It's sad to see they're struggling, like a lot of charities. They do their job really well."

The most famous resident at the Racehorse Sanctuary is Mr Vitality, the first horse to win the Hong Kong Triple Crown before injury ended his career. Around 10,000 fans turned up to the airport to see him leave the country. He is now 29 and is reported to be enjoying his retirement.

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