TBA Equine Welfare Levy

From January 2026, a fixed TBA Equine Welfare Levy of £60 per foal (payable at Foal Registration and to be collected by Weatherbys), will be introduced for all thoroughbreds, and all foals registered for racing from the Non-Thoroughbred Register (NTR), born in Britain, which will ensure the sustainability of essential health, welfare and aftercare activity for all horses bred to race.  FAQs can be accessed here.

Following consultation with breeders and an assessment of the approach taken by other international racing jurisdictions, the new levy will ensure the breeding sector makes a proportionate contribution to the funding of aftercare, bringing it into alignment with other industry stakeholders who make mandatory contributions.

Breeder contributions via the new £60 levy will support aftercare initiatives through RoR, as well as facilitating a broad range of workstreams overseen by the TBA, which aim to maintain and enhance the health and high welfare standards of thoroughbreds domiciled in Britain.

• RoR - A proportion of the breeder levy will provide RoR with the necessary funding to underpin the delivery of their three-year strategy, on behalf of the thoroughbred industry, with their Articles of Association recently amended to now include formalised educational provision and support frameworks for all thoroughbreds bred to race (and not just those who went into training with a licensed trainer).  To find out more about RoR's three-year strategy here.
• TBA - A proportion of the breeder levy will allow the TBA to continue vital work around equine infectious disease control and prevention; biosecurity and border controls; vaccine and medication availability and stewardship; continued support and communication of veterinary research; lifetime traceability of the thoroughbred; and genetic diversity etc.

The funding model and associated aftercare strategy will help safeguard the wellbeing and prospects of thoroughbreds for their lifetime, whilst also demonstrating a sector united in their commitment to a comprehensive range of services and solutions for all horses bred to race.