HEROS Announces Collaboration with New Retraining and Riding Academy of The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia
HEROS, one of the UK’s leading charities dedicated to the retraining and rehoming former racehorses, is pleased to announce a new collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s recently established Retraining and Riding Academy.
This programme has been set up by The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) under the guidance of Dr Francesca Compostella, in her Exec. Veterinary and Welfare role within the JCSA and Saudi Equestrian Authority. This partnership marks a significant step in supporting global standards of equine welfare, with a focus on the responsible transition of racehorses into new careers and environments.
Both organisations are aligned in their commitment to improving long-term welfare outcomes for Retired racehorses, wherever they may be.
As Saudi Arabia progresses in building its aftercare infrastructure and sharing their own context specific insight, HEROS will offer lessons drawn from two decades of practical experience in equine rehabilitation, education, and rehoming.
- Effective, practical methods for retraining retired racehorses
- Horse-centred rehabilitation practices
- Robust welfare assessment protocols
- Education and community engagement programmes
- Management structures that support sustainable aftercare systems
- Staff training to enable the best outcomes for the horses.
This collaboration represents a new and pioneering international initiative, marking the first operational partnership of its kind – globally. The partnership is based exclusively on experience and information sharing, with no monetary benefit to either entity. Both organisations share a commitment to improving education and long‑term welfare outcomes for retired racehorses by learning from established best practice and working collectively to advance responsible aftercare worldwide.
“HEROS has always believed that the aftercare community must work together to raise global welfare standards. Our partnership with the new Retraining and Riding Academy of Saudi Arabia is rooted purely in the supply and exchange of knowledge and experience. There is no monetary benefit to HEROS—only the shared goal of improving outcomes for these incredible horses who give us, as human beings so much”
— Grace Muir MBE, CEO of HEROS
“Equine welfare in Saudi Arabia relies on best standards, coordination, capability building and long term stewardship. Collectively, we make sure that aftercare isn’t left to goodwill alone, but supported by a coherent, durable system that safeguards our athletes and earns public trust”
— Fran Compostella DVM, MRCVS, MSc JCSA/SEA
While HEROS will continue to prioritise its core mission supporting horses and young people within the UK, the charity welcomes opportunities to share its expertise internationally where it can contribute meaningfully to improved equine welfare. This new venture reflects HEROS’s commitment to contributing positively to global discussions on Thoroughbred aftercare and welfare.
