Racing is a multi-million pound sport and industry. In 2011 over 4,500 foals were born and registered in the General Stud Book. In the same year there were over 9,000 active thoroughbred brood mares. Nearly 14,000 horses were in training. (Source: BHA Welfare Report 2011.)

 
In recent years, animal welfare issues have gained  greater public attention. Consequently, people's attention has been drawn to the fate of ex-racehorses.

This chart is a bit out of date but offers a breakdown of the whereabouts of the horses that left racing in 2006. The majority appear to have gone on to a 'useful' post-racing life - at stud, point-to-pointing and as a sport/recreation horse.

Inevitably the fate of the ex-racehorse has been taken up by animal welfare groups, many of whom are against racing altogether and would like to see it banned. In the current economic climate, the welfare of all animals becomes a concern to all of us but a horse is particularly expensive to keep. An article in The Guardian in June of this year highlighted the increase in the number of ex-racehorses going for slaughter.