A FIRST-ever thoroughbred census has been launched to help improve the traceability of Britain’s former racehorses after they retire from the sport.

The census will help build a wealth of intelligence on the variety of second careers they lead, including the remarkable story of West Somerset’s Ollie, or Gabster’s Legacy, as he is now named.

Ollie was bought by Samantha Treharne, who lives in Over Stowey, after a promise made with her late sister Gabby.

The sisters learned to ride as toddlers and promised each other they would buy a horse together.

Sadly, before they could so Gabby died in 2021, aged 17, but Samantha was determined to make the promise a reality and purchased Ollie later that year.

Samantha, who works part-time as a freelance groom and is also an assistant at a local equestrian centre, said: “Losing Gabby was extremely difficult and truly devastating.

“However, slowly but surely Ollie has helped me with my grief, as well as giving me a purpose to get up every morning.

“Ollie is my one and only at the moment when it comes to talking about Gabby and being in his presence is comforting. He has given me something to focus on.”

Samantha said although the horse’s stable name was Ollie, his passport was blank and she needed to name him because he was eligible for British Racing's Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) programme.

The name Gabster’s Legacy was chosen in honour of her sister and he has become an eventer who finished third in an 80 cm hunter trial.

Samantha said: “When I ride Ollie over the Quantock Hills, I know Gabby is with us, watching us and keeping us safe.”

Improved traceability of former racehorses after they retire from the sport is vitally important so that British Racing can improve and adapt welfare initiatives and enable fast and effective contact in the event of an equine disease outbreak.

The census is being carried out by equine research experts at Hartpury University and all owners of former racehorses are encouraged to complete it by December 31.

The initiative is part of British Racing’s Horse Welfare Board’s five-year welfare strategy ‘A Life Well Lived’ and its commitment to improve traceability for all horses bred for racing.

Programme director Helena Flynn said: “Improving the traceability of thoroughbreds after they retire from racing is a fundamental part of the five-year welfare strategy.

“The launch of this census is a significant project to help increase the depth, quality, and volume of data about thoroughbreds at this important stage of their lives.

“Just as importantly, this campaign will help us talk about responsible ownership and the critical part every thoroughbred owner plays in ensuring their equine identification document (passport) is up to date.

“We are delighted to be working with Hartpury University on the census and hope that between us we can encourage as many owners as possible to participate.”

The online census can be completed here.