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The $75m Stratford Park project is still a long way off construction, let alone completion. Pictured is the steering committee’s master plan, but a lot is still unconfirmed.
One of the biggest projects central Taranaki has ever seen may be tracking along nicely, but its ribbon cutting could be decades away. The $75 million project, which has been dubbed the Stratford Park, is set to bring motorsport, equestrian and events all into one place in Taranaki. In November last year the first big hurdle was crossed when the Stratford Agricultural and Pastoral (A&P) Association received a $7.18m loan from the Stratford District Council to purchase two pieces of land, totalling 63 hectares, for part of the project.
Werther, who was raised in Cambridge, came in March. He was also injured and retired. Highden Park farm manager Justine Kyrke-Smith said the horses, who work as “nannies”, had jobs on the farm, including going out with fillies, which helps keep young horses calm and encourages them to eat properly.
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Top racehorses Ping Hai Star, left, and Werther have been retired to Highden Park in Manawatū to become part of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racings welfare ambassador programme. “Because [the fillies] have just come off their mums not knowing what’s going on, they go out with Ping and Werther to have a big older horse to look after them and make sure they have their breakfast and take them around.”
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New guidance on standards for the care and welfare of racehorses has been released by the international lead body for thoroughbred racing.
IFHA Minimum Horse Welfare Standards has been produced by the Horse Welfare Committee of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), in line with its aim to promote best practice, harmonization and information exchange across racing nations.
The new document complements recent reforms which will ensure the traceability of horses from their foal stage through into retirement and beyond. The IFHA said racing authorities should refer to this document to establish accepted horse welfare practices in their jurisdiction and to set minimum standards of participant behaviour, including behavioural change where necessary.
IFHA Publishes Minimum Horse Welfare Standards bloodhorse.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bloodhorse.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.