Godolphin Lifetime Care

The trend for encouraging thoroughbreds to thrive in a second career after racing is growing. Jennifer Donald visits the meticulous” Godolphin outfit to find passion, care and love at the heart of their work

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THE gentle thud of several dozen hooves drifts up Newmarket’s Warren Hill gallops as an early morning string are put through their paces. In the distance, a steady stream of thoroughbreds emerge from the town’s 70 racing yards, a few jig-jogging in anticipation of their morning workout.

This is rush hour at racing’s headquarters with full focus on future racecourse appointments for the town’s estimated 3,000 racehorses. But what happens when those race entries dry up?

The aftercare of these majestic equines and their potential for second careers is a topic now being discussed much sooner and implemented more widely thanks to a growing number of rehoming organisations. Leading the way is the team at Godolphin’s Lifetime Care rehoming programme.

In Sheikh Mohammed’s global operation, the aftercare of each horse they breed and race is as important as producing the next Dubawi.

We join the passionate rehoming team at their Woodditton facility, a stone’s throw from the Newmarket epicentre, where around 10 of their horses at any one time will be supported through their meticulous retraining process.

FORMING a welcoming committee in a vast hedge-lined field are four of the most successful geldings to have run in Godolphin’s royal blue silks: 2018 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter, Dubai World Cup victors Prince Bishop and African Story, plus 2012 Ascot Gold Cup hero Colour Vision. Each went on to enjoy an alternative career beyond the track and the quartet are now enjoying full retirement here.

A volley of whinnies echoes from within the immaculately kept stables and we take shelter from a blustery autumn wind in the Connaught barn where we meet the current crop of horses – all geldings whose temporary home this is before they venture out on their new endeavours.