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 the WA Racehorse Welfare Plan to address the key areas of traceability, rehoming, and abattoirs and knackeries.

“The purchase forms part of a series of initiatives to improve rehoming and assist in the transition of retired racehorses to equestrian and pleasure pursuits, and provide support for their ongoing wellbeing,” said RWWA CEO, Richard Burt.

“The property will act as a multi-purpose racehorse welfare facility for the use of retraining by accredited re-trainers and emergency care for retired racehorses,” said RWWA CEO, Richard Burt.

The property will be taken over by RWWA mid-December and is expected to be operational early in the new year.

“The welfare of our horses is paramount and RWWA is working hard to ensure that the commitments outlined in the welfare plan are executed in a timely and efficient manner,” said RWWA CEO Richard Burt.

“We will be consulting with the industry and other relevant stakeholders as we continue to implement the various initiatives and we look forward to the opening of the new welfare facility.”

Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia said he is pleased the implementation of the WA Racehorse Welfare Plan, which is being funded by industry, is progressing rapidly.

“Last week I assured Western Australians that our State would lead the nation on racehorse welfare. We are getting on with the job and doing more than any other state to look after our racehorses.

“This facility is just one aspect of the robust welfare plan that incorporates all stages of a racehorse’s life through a program of investment, education, monitoring and regulation.”

Further details regarding RWWA’s WA Racehorse Welfare Plan can be found here.