At Elwick Stud, we oversee every stage of a thoroughbred’s life, from foaling through to retirement. With a focus on expert care and an in-depth understanding of equine development, we aim to provide each horse with the best possible foundation for success. Below is an overview of the thoroughbred life cycle at Elwick Stud and the steps we take to prepare them for their racing careers and beyond.

The journey of a thoroughbred at Elwick Stud begins with foaling. Our experienced team carefully monitors mares throughout pregnancy to ensure the health and welfare of both mare and foal. Once the foal is born, it is vital that it stands and nurses within the first few hours to receive colostrum, which provides essential immunity for their early development.

At this early stage, we focus on fostering trust between the foal and handler through gentle human interaction. This initial bonding is crucial for establishing a foundation for future training. The foals are raised in a calm, supportive environment to help them grow and develop in their early months.

At around six months of age, foals are gradually weaned from their mothers. This process is managed carefully to minimise stress and help the foals adapt to new routines. During this time, they are given plenty of opportunities to interact with other young horses, which aids their social development and builds their confidence.

Training begins during the weaning process with basic groundwork, such as leading, standing for grooming, and becoming accustomed to wearing tack. This early training focuses on establishing trust and responsiveness, providing a strong foundation for the more formal training that will follow.

When foals reach 12 to 18 months of age, they are considered yearlings. During this stage, their training becomes more structured. Regular exercise in the paddocks helps develop their physical strength, coordination, and stamina. Some yearlings are sent to experienced trainers in the North of England, who work with them on a more individualised basis to prepare them for their future racing careers.

For those yearlings not yet ready for training, we continue socialising them and introducing activities to help them grow both physically and mentally. We also assess their potential during this stage, and some may be prepped for sale to buyers seeking well-bred horses with strong racing potential.

At around two years old, horses undergo the "breaking-in" process, which is the introduction to the saddle and rider. Breaking-in is a crucial part of a young horse's education. It involves gradually accustoming the horse to the rider, starting with basic handling and progressing to work under saddle. This process helps build the horse’s confidence and teaches it to respond to basic commands.

Once the horse has been successfully broken in, it begins more intensive pre-race training. We send many of our young horses to specialist trainers across the North of England. These trainers focus on developing key skills such as stamina, speed, and agility, while also helping the horse learn to respond to jockeys. At this stage, the mental demands of racing are also addressed, ensuring the horses can cope with the pressure of competition.

Racing represents the pinnacle of a thoroughbred’s career. At Elwick Stud, we take immense pride in seeing our horses race, whether on the flat or over jumps. Racing is a true test of a horse’s speed, stamina, and temperament, and it offers a key opportunity to assess their potential for success.

We work closely with experienced trainers to ensure our horses are in peak condition before each race. Trainers design tailored programmes to optimise each horse’s physical condition, race strategy, and mental preparation.

Our stallion Mondialiste has produced numerous successful offspring who have shown exceptional promise on the track. His progeny continue to play a key role in the ongoing success and quality of the horses bred at Elwick Stud. Watching the success of Mondialiste’s offspring is an exciting and rewarding part of our journey, reinforcing our commitment to breeding top-quality racehorses.

Once a horse’s racing career concludes, we ensure a smooth transition into retirement. At Elwick Stud, we provide a peaceful and comfortable environment for retired racehorses, whether they stay with us or are rehomed to new owners. Some of our retired horses go on to second careers in other equestrian disciplines, such as eventing or show jumping, while others enjoy a relaxed life in spacious paddocks.

Our commitment to the well-being of our horses extends well beyond their racing careers. We ensure that they receive the care they deserve and are treated with respect for the duration of their lives. Their comfort and happiness remain our priority, and we are proud to offer them a fulfilling life after their time on the track.