Amid the confusion and in-fighting evident in the various factions which govern British racing, there is at least one enterprise which is quietly doing its job without controversy.

The British Horseracing Board's Retraining of Racehorses project backs up the sport by ensuring a useful post-racing life for horses.

At Slinfold, near Horsham, the Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre is one of three registered charities in the UK working on racehorse rehabilitation.

It is named after Moorcroft Boy, who was nursed back to health and made a full recovery from a broken neck to race again.

The centre moved 18 months ago to magnificent new premises at Huntingrove Stud where former Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery member Graham Oldfield and partner Sue Collins oversee the metamorphosis from racehorse to either eventer, hunter, showjumper or just plain hack of the 25 or so occupants of their permanently-filled boxes.

Moorcroft Boy, now 19, is the flag-bearer, parading at events and on charity race days organised to raise funds for the centre.

Boosting income is a permanent task, since no horse is sold once retrained. They are only sent away on long loan to carefully vetted homes.

Wages of the hard-working staff have to be found, feed bills paid and even a set of horse shoes expertly fitted does not come cheap.

Fortunately, there is an enthusiastic and loyal supporters group run by Brenda Karn-Smith, who lives next door to Huntingrove with her husband Gerald.

Oldfield said: "I don't know how we could survive without Brenda and those other supporters who are constantly arranging functions for us.

"We have almost 100 members of the support group but it would be good to pass the century."

One of the well-known horses to be re-trained and about to go to a new home is the Desert Orchid look-alike, Kamikaze.

Trained by Nicky Henderson for long-distance chases, the 14-year-old won five times and finished in the money in a Whitbread Gold Cup as well as running creditably in races such as the Midlands and Scottish Grand Nationals.

Oldfield said: "A young lady from the Eastbourne area is keen to house Kamikaze.

"She rides with the Coakham Bloodhounds based at Edenbridge. Kamikaze is a real gentleman and sound as a bell and he should be a good ride across country."

By contrast, Lunar Leo is only a six-year-old but suffered tendon damage serious enough to end his racing career.

His Newmarket trainer Stuart Williams placed Lunar Leo to win races and to finish second at Royal Ascot.

Oldfield said: "The owners were prepared to wait until we had room for Lunar Leo.

"Stuart did a lot to prepare the horse for his change of life.

"Leo will certainly make a dressage performer and he could go on to one-day events where the speed is much less than in racing."

Prospective 'owners' are checked out by Oldfield, who visits their stables.

They are invited to Huntingrove, where they have the opportunity to ride and get to know the horse of their choice.

Oldfield said: "Obviously it is important that horse and rider are completely compatible and we do keep in touch with all our ex-inmates. There have been hardly any failures."

Moorcroft welcomes newcomers to the support group (01403 791916) and plan a public open day this year on a date to be announced.