New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s 2023 Thoroughbred Welfare Forum took place at Cambridge Stud in May 2023, an event well attended by different racing industry sectors, government representatives, partnering organisations, researchers and the wider equine community at large.

The Forum was validated by New Zealand’s Minister for Racing, Kieran McAnulty, who in a pre-recorded opening address commended NZTR’s Thoroughbred Welfare Strategy and the importance of the Forum itself.

Once underway, the day’s activities included thought-provoking sessions provided by keynote speakers. The speakers in attendance were Doctor Helen Beattie, a veterinarian and the Managing Director of Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa, Professor Natalie Waran, an internationally recognised equine behaviour and welfare scientist, Doctor Matthew Stone, a veterinary epidemiologist and experienced leader in New Zealand government and international organisations recently appointed as Chair of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, Professor Chris Rogers, programme leader for the equine programme and head of the pre-clinical groups in the School of Veterinary Science at Massey University, and Doctor Sarah Rosanowski, an internationally respected epidemiologist.

View an outline of the Forum on the attached link: https://youtu.be/Rpj-pe85oB8