During the current economic climate, it is being reported that racehorse owners, from the top to the bottom of the sport, are reducing the number of horses in training.

This has resulted in the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre receiving calls every day from trainers wanting to send horses to be found new homes. The TRC rehabilitates ex-racehorses with the aim of re-homing them into loan homes for the rest of their lives.

Carrie Humble, who founded the TRC in 1993, and remains its ambassador, said: “Charitable giving is down and we have no indication of an increase in funding, yet we are receiving a huge increase in demand for our services.

“Our current waiting list of horses waiting to come in is 17, and we are having to turn away others which we don’t want to do with winter approaching.

“People from within horse racing are coming to us because we don’t charge to take horses in. Welfare is our number one priority, and we do not compromise on that.

“Our patron, Sir Peter O’Sullevan, is absolutely fantastic and helps us enormously through his fundraising efforts. We couldn’t do without him.”

Other patrons of the charity include, Frankie Dettori, Louise Owen, Lord Oaksey, the Marquess of Zetland, and Anthony Head.

The TRC increasingly relies on the generosity of the horse-loving public to continue its work. The charity is also seeking regular donations, people who would like to become field officers or volunteer fundraisers.

Further information about the TRC is available at www.thoroughbredrehabilitationcentre.co.uk