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Horse Welfare Board, Hartpury University Launch Census

British Racing's Horse Welfare Board is launching the first ever Thoroughbred census in Great Britain, in collaboration with Hartpury University.

All owners of former racehorses are being asked to submit a completed census through Dec. 31. The census will help build an improved Thoroughbred data bank about former racehorses and the lives they go on to lead.

Helena Flynn, Programme Director, Horse Welfare Board, said: “Improving the traceability of Thoroughbreds after they retire from racing is a fundamental part of the Horse Welfare Board's five-year welfare strategy. The launch of this census is a significant project to help increase the depth, quality, and volume of data about Thoroughbreds at this important stage of their lives.”

Improved data at this stage of a thoroughbred's life can also help the Horse Welfare Board and RoR improve and adapt welfare initiatives, enabling fast and effective contact in the event of an equine disease outbreak.

The census will request information on each horse's equine identification document (passport) number, microchip number, age, current residence, second career, and more to provide a robust view of the 2023 British retired racehorse population.

The six-month census has been launched in partnership with Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), British Racing's official aftercare charity, funded by the Racing Foundation, and is supported by World Horse Welfare and Weatherbys General Stud Book.

To complete the 2023 Thoroughbred Census online, click here before closing Dec. 31.

Full results will be reported during the first quarter of 2024.

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Rachael Blackmore Made Honorary MBE

History-making jockey Rachael Blackmore, who in 2021 became the first woman to ride the winner of the Grand National, has been made an honorary MBE for services to sport.

After landing Aintree's famous race aboard Minella Times (Ire), Blackmore, 33, also won the following season's Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard (Fr). The Irish jockey was crowned leading rider at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021, the same year she won the BBC Sports Personality's World Sport Star of the Year award.

Notably, she forged a famous partnership with the great mare Honeysuckle (GB), who retired at the end of last season with 13 Grade 1 wins to her credit, including two Champion Hurdles.

Honorary MBEs recognise those from overseas who excel in their field in Britain. Italian-born Frankie Dettori was made an honorary MBE in 2001 for his services to racing.

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Botti Looks Forward To Goodwood With Top Stayer Giavellotto

Marco Botti is hoping a decision to sidestep the Gold Cup at Ascot with Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) pays dividends when his stable star lines out in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup in August.

Promoted to third in the St Leger behind Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) last season, Giavellotto accounted for that rival in the Yorkshire Cup last month.

However, Botti decided against running Giavellotto at Ascot due to the trip, and revealed that Goodwood has always been Plan A for the progressive stayer.

“Giavellotto is very well and the plan was always to go straight for the Goodwood Cup,” Botti said. “The horse won well at York and then we were keen to give him more time rather than stepping up to the Gold Cup, as we think two miles is his best trip.

“He has matured a lot mentally from three to four and we expected him to improve this season, as most stayers do with age. He used to wear a hood and get quite warm before his races but that was not the case in the Yorkshire Cup.”

Botti added, “We were disappointed on his first run back in the Dubai Gold Cup but he was drawn wide and the race did not pan out for him, so it was nice to see him show what we thought he was capable of at York.

“You never know until you run at Goodwood whether they will handle the track, but he seems a well-balanced horse and the long straight will be in his favour.”

Giavellotto is one of 26 entries for the Goodwood race, which include the Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

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Desert Crown Resumes Cantering

Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who was ruled out of the Prince of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot after suffering a setback in training, has resumed light exercise in Newmarket.

Last year's Derby winner, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, has raced just four times in three years, and was beaten for the first time on his sole start this season when second to Hukum (GB) in the Brigadier Gerard S. on his reappearance after a 12-month absence.

Philip Robinson, assistant racing manager to Desert Crown's owner Saeed Suhail, said, “He's started cantering, having been walking all last week, and is all is good.

“Nothing showed up on any scans or X-rays or anything, so it must have just been a bruise or something like that which just set him back 10 days.”

He added, “I'm not sure where he'll run, I wouldn't have thought Sir Michael will rush him back, he'll just take his time and when he's back in full work then he'll make a plan.

“It was just one of those really unfortunate things that happens with horses, but they are athletes and these things happen.”

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