Racing into the light

CONCERN: DECLINE IN HORSE POPULATION IN POST-COVID ERA

- Danie Toerien

In the last decade, the number of horses participating in races in South Africa has shown a steady and somewhat steep decline.

Statistics show that in the 2016 calendar year, 6,754 horses ran at least one race. That figure was down to 4,463 in 2024 - a decline of about 34%.

This is obviously not good news for the industry.

In any sport, a decline in the number of participants is cause for concern. In the racing industry even more so, as hundreds of thousands earn a living throughout the racing chain.

There are a number of reasons for this decline. Multiple-champion trainer Sean Tarry believes Covid was the biggest culprit.

"Obviously mares that were culled have a knock-on effect for years, even if replaced," says Tarry.

Statistics regarding culled horses are almost impossible to gather, while the topic itself is something most in the industry are not willing to discuss – for obvious reasons.

According to Tarry, factors like stakes not being increased sufficiently, and the number of owners and breeders reducing because of retirement and not being replaced, also play a part.