 |
| For Immediate Release, Friday 23 August 2019 Deaths at Ballarat Highly Likely – CPR Rally to End Jumps Racing What: Rally to End Jumps Racing When: Sunday 25 August, 12pm – 2pm Where: Ballarat Turf Club, 240 Kennedy’s Road, Miners Rest Vic A grueling day of six jumps races is planned for Ballarat’s Grand National Steeplechase Day. Going by jumps statistics, it is predicted that at least two horse will be killed. “Six horses, that we know of, have already been killed in the 2019 jumps racing season” said Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) Communications Director Kristin Leigh. “Rather than be surprised by a death this weekend, we will be surprised if there is not one. That is how dangerous this so-called “sport” is for the horses.” “Last year at this very event we saw Sleep’n Pete literally fall over the second last jump, the green screen go up and his lifeless body carted away. Meanwhile, spectators cheered the survivors over the finish line and the event went on as per usual. His life was of zero regard to the industry and the small minority who continue to support it.” Sleep’n Pete’s death and the suffering other horses endured that day can be viewed here https://bit.ly/2MwReKu “It is simply unconscionable that a government allows a form of gambling and entertainment to continue knowing it is guaranteed many horses will be killed as a result” she said. Jumps racing has taken the lives of 96 horses to horrific on-track injuries since 2007 “What kind of form of entertainment has an acceptable death toll?” Kristin asks. “Jumps races are 19 times more dangerous than flat racing. It’s illegal in New South Wales under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.” “The risks are so high and the tracks so grueling that last year’s starters had a 12% chance of failing to even finish the course. Even worse, in the 2018 jumps season the odds of a horse being killed on track was 1:22” she said. Last month Super Haze leg was literally hanging off in a Warrnambool jumps race. It took them almost 10 minutes to put him out of his misery. And just last weekend John’s Revenge hit the deck at Coleraine and was killed. Presumably, in an attempt to hide his death, stewards failed to mention him being killed in their reports. Stewards Report – Coleraine 18 August, Race 1 Johns Revenge Made a faulty jump and fell at the second last obstacle. Johns Revenge sustained a serious racing injury. This incident will be referred to the Equine Welfare and Veterinary Department and Jumps Review Panel. Rider P Hamblin was examined by the club doctor and passed fit to fulfil his remaining rides. “We see this happen often, stewards failing to mention the death of horses in their reports. Or horses being taken away from the track with severe injuries and killed elsewhere, their deaths, therefore, are not required to be recorded.” Stewards Report – Warrnambool 1 May, Race 4 Blues Breaker (NZ) Made a faulty jump at the final obstacle and fell. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have injured its left shoulder. The gelding was transferred to South West Equine Veterinary Group for further investigation and treatment. Trainer Symon Wilde was notified that prior to racing again he must be in receipt of a veterinary certificate of soundness. The incident will be referred to the Jumps Review Panel. “Knowing this, there is no doubt the death toll from both jumps and flat races is much higher than we can report on”. “We will demonstrate on behalf of this years victims of jumps racing so far (that we know of) – Monarch Chimes, Blues Breaker, Big Bad Baz, Super Haze, Hero’s Honor, John’s Revenge and also for Sleep’n Pete who was killed right in front of us here in Ballarat at this event last year.” “Horses having their legs smashed, necks broken and tendons ruptured for any reason including human greed and entertainment is unacceptable” she said. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
Contact Us
The Coalition For The Protection Of Racehorses
P.O Box 163, South Melbourne
Victoria 3205
Phone: +61 3 9016 3277
Email Us
Join Our Mailing List
Sign-up to our mailing list to keep up to date. Text alerts are available for breaking news and urgent actions if you are in Australia.
Leave a Reply