The vision of CEEC and the Horse Retirement Fund is to assist willing and able adopters to export as many of CEEC’s school horses as is possible, who have reached the end of their school careers, in order that they can enjoy an extension of their lives in retirement. That said, there are many complex factors involved in the decision making of whether it is a suitable option for an individual horse. Where people would like to offer overseas retirement to a horse, we would invite you to chat with Sarah Corner, Managing Director, to discuss an individual case.

 

Retiring horses is an expensive entity and it is important that their welfare and care are maintained during their retirement. This costs approximately HK$3,000 - HK$5,000 per month, per horse depending on the final retirement destination.

 

For those members hopeful to be able to offer a forever home for a CEEC horse in the future, please see below the basic guidelines in order that you may be better informed.  

 

• The HRF will assist a willing and suitable adopter as far as available funds allow at any given time up to a maximum of $50,000. Should there be insufficient funds, CEEC & the HRF will assist the adopter in organizing a fundraising drive in order to boost the assistance it is able to offer up to a maximum of $50,000. In the case of an ex-racehorse that is eligible to receive HKJC export subsidy (currently $40,000), where funds allow, the HRF will assist in “topping-up” the HKJC subsidy up to a maximum of $10,000.

 

• Eligibility for the HKJC subsidy is only available to HKJC members, this information can be found at: https://member.hkjc.com/member/common/pdf/horse-owner-handbooks/owners-handbook-full-e.pdf

 

• CEEC has ultimate control in the decision making as to the appropriateness to release an individual horse from the school and his suitability for export and overseas retirement, whether or not an adopter is seeking assistance from the HRF.

 

• An adopter must meet a standard of equine education/experience in order to be able to ensure the continued welfare of the individual horse in retirement as deemed adequate by CEEC & the HRF.

 

• CEEC & the HRF must approve the adopter’s proposed retirement yard; this will be done by phone calls and references.

 

• The horse must be taken on full livery for a period of time. Please discuss this with Sarah. Approval needs to be granted by the HKJC, regardless of whether the horse is an ex-racehorse or not, which will be applied for by CEEC. Once approval is granted then a date for the horse's departure is looked into. This can take up to six months. Horses depart out of Hong Kong on pallets of three. Therefore, there needs to be a full shipment to ensure that the cost is split three ways. It is sometimes possible to do it as a two pallet shipment, however, this will be more expensive.

 

• All money must be paid upfront to the HKJC, this amount in 2018 was in the region of $138,000. This is to cover quarantine, flights, care etc. In the event that the export is smooth, there is likely to be some refund.

 

• Prior to departure from CEEC, the horse will need to be assessed and granted fit to travel, this is done before moving to pre-export quarantine.

 

• Upon transfer of ownership of the individual horse to an adopter, the adopter is responsible for all costs associated with the horse going forwards and no further financial assistance is available from the HRF. Transfer of ownership will take place prior to loading on the day that the horse enters pre-export quarantine. This is done on a luck money basis.

 

• In transferring the ownership of the individual horse to an adopter, CEEC & the HRF places trust and a duty of care in the adopter to never sell or give away the horse and to ensure his continued welfare until the end of his life, abiding by The Animal Welfare Act’s five freedoms of:

 

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