Racing right to be increasing focus on horse welfare from birth to death

On Wednesday evening the excellent work of Retraining of Racehorses was once again on display at the organisation's annual awards, during which the popular former chaser Monet's Garden was named horse of the year.

The dashing front-runner, who once came close to losing his life through illness, jumped fences for fun and posted numerous big-race triumphs. These days he excels in the showing ring, with his displays regularly highlighting the extent to which thoroughbreds can have fulfilling second careers once retired from racing.

When reading about RoR's equine ambassadors, or indeed when we now see them in residence at Newmarket's Palace House, or in the Living Legends paddock at the Irish National Stud, we, as fans of racing, are able to smile. We take pleasure from knowing the sport we love rightly devotes time, effort and money to ensure the wonderful animals who provide our entertainment, and for some employment, are cared for after coming out of training.