France Galop Pledges Aftercare Support

[Wandering Eyes]

France Galop has committed €350,000 annually to fund Au Dela Des Pistes, the country’s racehorse retraining and aftercare program, according to Jour de Galop.

Au Dela Des Pistes President Aliette Forien said, “We are delighted that France Galop recognizes the importance of the issue of [retraining] for the future of the horse industry and releases appropriate financial means in the name of the all of its members. Like Jim Gagliano, president of the American Jockey Club, we believe that ‘anyone who touches a Thoroughbred at any stage of his life must be concerned about his future after the races.’ It’s about the responsibility and ethics of our sport. Through this agreement all breeders, owners, trainers and jockeys contribute financially to the second life of the horses they breed, buy, train and compete. This is a big step forward and we thank France Galop for having crossed it.”

Of the amount committed, €250,000 will come from a purse cut representing 0.1% of total purses. Another €50,000 will come directly from France Galop equity while owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys can voluntarily contribute 0.1% of their earnings.

Olivier Delloye, chief executive officer of France Galop, said, “Ensuring the best possible future for our Thoroughbreds when they leave our racetracks is a collective responsibility of the [stakeholders] of the horse industry, which takes shape in the mode of financing that we chose with the approval of the representatives of the breeders, the trainers, owners and jockeys. Au Dela Des Pistes has done a great job since its inception by building a national network of establishments in which racehorse owners can trust to [retrain their racehorses]. We are very happy to support this association and to build together a program whose goal is to allow all former racehorses to benefit from a second career or a peaceful retirement.”

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