EQUINE WELFARE
Advocating for equine wellbeing.
The bond between horses and humans is truly unique, creating a relationship that brings out the best in both. At Cape Racing, our mission is to elevate the sport of horseracing by fostering an environment where horses and humans can thrive together.
Cape Racing Cares is dedicated to ensuring racehorse welfare, happiness, and health. It is our mission to address common misconceptions about the sport through transparent education.
Navigate this page to learn more about horseracing, and discover how we can all contribute to a brighter future for these remarkable equine athletes.
KUBO CARES
Meet Kubo, our Equine Welfare Mascot.
About Kubo: a Xhosa meaning “A Charge”(i.e. an offensive manoeuvre in battle in which combatants advance towards their enemy at their best speed). To them, at them – attack!
Kubo is more than just Cape Racing’s mascot – he’s a passionate advocate for equine welfare.
Representing our dedication to the care, respect, and wellbeing of horses, Kubo inspires us to create a world where every horse is treated with kindness and compassion
We are committed to the health, safety and ethical treatment of racehorses
Frequently Asked Questions
Three centuries of careful breeding have developed the Thoroughbred into the sporting specimen we see today. Unlike your typical horse, Thoroughbreds have large hearts, a highly efficient circulatory system, supercharged lung power, and spring-like muscle tendons that propel them to speeds over 60km/h. Racing is in their DNA, it’s what they love and were born to do.
The National Horseracing Authority of South Africa (NHRA) serves as the country’s regulatory and governing body for horseracing. Every trainer is required to hold a license issued by the NHRA, a measure designed to ensure that horses receive an excellent quality of life. This includes regular exercise, high-quality feed, comfortable bedding, and continuous care and oversight by dedicated stable and veterinary staff throughout the year.
The NHRA strictly prohibits the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Furthermore, racehorses are not permitted to compete with any substances or medications in their systems at levels that could affect their physiology and overall well-being, even if these substances are legal for administration in a home environment. To ensure compliance, regular inspections, and comprehensive veterinary records are maintained. Testing is extensive, conducted in both training facilities and on racecourses.
Racehorses require a balanced diet that is high in fats, proteins, fibers, and carbohydrates. These essential nutrients are obtained from a combination of forage, such as grass and hay, as well as grains, including oats, corn, and barley.
The recovery period for racehorses varies individually. Some horses perform best with frequent racing, while others benefit from longer rest intervals between races. The trainer and staff carefully manage each horse’s routine to optimize performance and well-being.
Yes, racehorses are physically adapted to handle hot temperatures, which aids their performance during races. Additionally, authorities implement extra precautions, and veterinarians provide oversight to ensure that horses can race safely and recover effectively in warm conditions.
In South Africa, there is substantial evidence supporting controlled exercise at a young age in thoroughbreds. Research indicates exercise positively influences the musculoskeletal system, stimulating development and increasing strength and bone density. Additionally, many racehorses achieve enhanced levels of tissue maturity before beginning their careers as two-year-olds. Trainers are skilled in identifying horses that may require more time before they start racing, ensuring their well-being and readiness for competition.
Yes, the NHA employs three full-time veterinarians who monitor the welfare and health of racing thoroughbreds throughout South Africa and Zimbabwe. Additionally, two veterinarians are present at all race meetings, often accompanied by experienced private veterinarians, ensuring prompt attention in case of any mishap or horse distress.
In the 2023/24 season, there were 4,498 horses in training, all licensed by the NHRA.
In the 2023/24 season, the NHRA registered 117 licensed trainers and 60 licensed assistant trainers.
The modern foam-cushioned whip is designed to produce noise, not pain, and horses are trained to speed up when they hear the “slapping” or “popping” sound. However, whip use is still heavily regulated by various international bodies, and locally by the NHRA.
Yes, under NHRA rules, a jockey is permitted a maximum of 12 uses of the whip per race. The whip must not be raised above shoulder height and can only be applied to two areas of the horse’s body: the shoulder and the hindquarters. The whip may only be used in a backhand position when striking the shoulder.
Cape Racing collaborates closely with rehoming NGOs, particularly the Western Cape Equine Trust. Many horses in the Western Cape Equine Trust’s rehoming program have been donated by owners, trainers, and breeders who are committed to ensuring a positive future for their horses.
GET READY WITH ME
A Day In The Life Of Scarlet Macaw
Experience the unique daily rhythm of Scarlet Macaw.
Horses are incredible animals, each with a distinct personality and routine. It’s fascinating to observe them as they go about their day, from the moment they wake to their well-deserved rest.
Join us in discovering what makes these beautiful creatures so captivating, one day at a time.
Enjoy watching the video!
Happy, Healthy Horses
Graceful
Horses are the embodiment of grace in motion. From the rhythmic cadence of their stride to the fluid arch of their neck, every movement is a display of elegance.
Gentle
They show a special sensitivity toward their handlers, often responding softly to a simple touch or voice, displaying a tenderness rare in creatures of such strength.
Gallant
They are naturally bold, stepping forward with a confidence that has made them steadfast partners in countless historical and everyday journeys.
Code of Conduct
Racing Information
Raceday is an electric mix of anticipation and precision, and it all begins mid-morning when the racehorses arrive at the racecourse stables via the equine transporters, New Turf Carriers. These equine athletes are accompanied by their personal grooms, experts in their care, ensuring every need is met. Once settled into their day stalls, the horses may enjoy a calming walk around the stable yard, perfect for stretching out or easing pre-race jitters.
As the clock ticks towards race time, the horses are given time to rest, their grooms keeping a close watch. The trainers and on-site vets are available during a racemeeting to a horse-related emergency. With farriers and vets stationed on-site throughout the day, every precaution is taken to ensure the horses’ health and comfort.
An hour before the race, the energy starts to build. The grooms begin grooming the horses to perfection, ensuring they look every bit the champions they are. A pre-race warm-up walk gets muscles loose and ready, and the trainers join in the saddling area for final checks and to saddle their runners. From there, the horses proceed to the pre-parade ring, where they await their turn to shine.
Before each race, the parade ring comes alive as horses stride in, showcasing their fitness to the crowd. This is the perfect moment for punters to size up their picks, while trainers meet with owners and jockeys to finalize strategies. Once the bell rings, jockeys get a leg up and head down to the start, where the final adjustments and tack checks are made, and the stage is set for the action.
The starting gates are the heartbeat of the day. As the field loads and jockeys signal readiness, the lever is pulled, and they’re off! The thunder of hooves, the roar of the crowd, and the exhilaration of the race captivate everyone in attendance. Horses and riders push for glory, and the excitement carries them across the finish line.
For the winners, the celebrations continue in the winner’s enclosure. Trainers, owners and the grooms share the joy as the horse is unsaddled and offered water. Once the cheers die down, it’s back to the stables for a well-earned cool-down walk. The veterinary team checks each horse’s condition, and winners undergo routine drug testing to ensure fair play.
After the cool-down, legs are carefully examined, and some trainers apply protective bandages or clay for added support after a hard day’s work. Finally, the horses are transported home to their stables, where fresh hay and feed await. Here, they can relax, unwind, and reminisce about their achievements, ready to dream of their next big race.
Race day is a testament to the dedication and care poured into these magnificent animals, making each moment on the track truly unforgettable
Key words to know when coming to the races:
Colours: The jackets, ‘silks’, and helmet cover worn by the jockey in the owner of the horse’s racing colours.
Blinkers: Equipment put onto the horse’s bridle that limits a horse’s peripheral vision to keep them focused on the race.
Handicap: A race where horses carry different weights to equalize their chance of winning. You may hear of a horse being handicapped.
Maiden: A horse that has not yet won a race. They will run in a maiden until they have a win and there is no limit to how many maidens a horse can run in.
Maiden Race: A race for horses that haven’t won a race yet.
Break their maiden/sheds their maiden: The term used when a horse or jockey wins for the first time.
Black Type: For horses who have won listed races or won or placed in graded races.
Listed Race: A class of race just before group/graded quality.
Group/Graded races: These races form the upper tier of the racing structure and are known as the feature races of a raceday.
Feature Race: The most significant race of the day, usually determined by the ratings of the horses involved, its category, and the prize money on offer.
Sprinter: A horse that excels in short-distance races.
Stayer: A horse that prefers longer distance races.
Juvenile: A two-year-old horse that often competes in races tailored to their age group.
Form: A horse’s past race record.
Drop-in class/trip: A horse racing in a lower class of race than he has recently run in/running over a short distance.
Turf: A grass surface for racing.
The going: The condition of the racing surface.
Off the pace: A horse that prefers to race behind the leaders.
Boxed in: A horse that is trapped between or behind other horses and unable to move forward.
Photo Finish: A race outcome so close it requires a photographic review to determine the winner.
Carrying weight: When a horse is burdened with a handicap weight, impacting its speed and stamina.
Horse Terminology:
Sire: The male parent of a horse.
Dam: The female parent of a horse.
Yearling: A horse that is between a year and two years old.
Mare/Filly: A female horse.
Colt: An ungelded young male horse.
Stallion: An older ungelded male horse.
Gelding: A gelded male horse.
