Research fund brings focus to horse welfare
A new funding source is available for research which has the potential to help horses thrive during their racing careers and beyond. The Racing and Wagering Western Australia Research Fund is now open and Head of Animal Welfare Dr Anna Smet welcomes applications for racehorse study projects. “Our aim is to ensure the highest and […]
Trailblazing imaging suite available for horses in Western Australia
The first standing MRI machine installed in Western Australia has scanned twice the expected number of horses in its initial month of operation. The MRI technology can diagnose a wide variety of lameness conditions caused by musculoskeletal injuries, which cannot be accurately assessed with radiographs or ultrasound. MRI is particularly useful for diagnosing soft tissue […]
Science turns to racehorse care
Welfare experts from Australia and beyond recently pointed to quality research as vital for the lifelong health of racehorses. The 2023 Asian Racing Conference held in Melbourne, which included guests from 35 countries, hosted expert discussions on advances in injury prevention and the innovations for horse safety and care. Among the experts was Dr Christopher […]
How the boy who didn’t have a dog became a top trainer
There were no pets in Paul Stuart’s home as a kid but he always wanted a dog. Now he always has at least a dozen as a leading greyhound breeder, trainer and owner. At 16, Paul got his chance to spend time with animals through the work experience program at school. “I used to watch […]
New rule for retirement and rehoming of racehorses
A new rule of racing is now in effect to support racehorses in retiring from their track careers to new homes. Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) aims for all healthy and behaviourally sound thoroughbred and standardbred horses to retire to second careers as pleasure or performance horses. To help achieve this, Chief Executive Officer […]
RWWA’s Animal Welfare Manager Announced as Speaker for International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) is pleased to announce that its Animal Welfare Manager, Dr Anna Smet, will be a speaker for the 2021 International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) to be held as a series of four virtual webinars on 6, 13, 20, and 27 April 2021. IFAR announced its lineup […]
RWWA Presents Multi-purpose Racehorse Welfare Facility
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) today unveiled its multi-purpose racehorse welfare facility, the Off the Track WA (OTTWA) Estate, with the announcement that two of the first horses transitioning through its retraining program will be donated to HorsePower Australia. The Estate will be used to facilitate the retraining of retired racehorses through RWWA’s OTTWA […]
RWWA Launches WA Horse Passport
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) has today launched the Off the Track WA (OTTWA) Passport, an initiative designed to assist in the tracking of retired thoroughbreds and standardbreds in the State. The passport, part of the commitments outlined in the WA Racehorse Welfare Plan announced in November 2019, will work to ascertain details of […]
Greyhound Muzzling Legislation Changes
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) supports the State Government’s proposal to amend the Dog Act 1976, to remove the requirement for the compulsory muzzling of greyhounds who have retired from racing. Currently, retired racing greyhounds are only allowed to be muzzle free in public after passing a prescribed training program. RWWA’s Greyhounds as Pets […]
RWWA Purchases Property for Racehorse Welfare Facility
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) is pleased to announce that it has purchased a new property ‘Touchstone Farm’ in North Dandalup, as one of the many commitments outlined in the WA Racehorse Welfare Plan. On Thursday 14 November 2019, RWWA and the Minister for Racing and Gaming, the Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA, released […]