On 9 February, CPR reported to NSW Racing Integrity some disturbing footage of NSW licenced racehorse trainer Daniel Stanley, owner of D.A.S. Racing, Breaking and Pre-Training in Granton NSW, demonstrating to a new staff member how to break in a racehorse. His methods included the use of “positive punishment”, which means the addition of an aversive punishment in order to force the animal to comply through fear and pain.
While we received an immediate call-back confirming that the actions of Mr Stanley were being investigated and later a confirmation that an official inquiry into Mr Stanley was to be held on 25 February, the NSW Racing Integrity Unit has since stopped responding to our requests for updates on the case.
To our knowledge, Mr Stanley is still now, two months later, conducting his business as usual with no action taken and the horses he is “training” are left to pay the price.
Scientific research has firmly established that the brutal type of “positive punishment” Mr Stanley makes use of will imprint on the horses for life. When horses are “broken” in this way, it will result in 1), dangerous, reactive behaviour, or 2), mentally shut-down horses who become unresponsive as they learn that, no matter what they do, there’s no way out.
If the NSW racing industry wants to protect its diminishing social licence to operate, it is vital they take a strong stance against the beating of racehorses into submission. After all, they are the ones who claim horses love to race and that their horses are treated like royalty.
CPR is doing everything we can to prevent this case from being swept under the carpet. We approached the office of Greens NSW MP Abigail Boyd, who has now swiftly submitted a question on notice for David Harris, Minister for Racing and Gaming in NSW, asking for a status on the case and urging appropriate action.
You can also help by contacting the NSW Racing Integrity Unit and asking that they take immediate and appropriate action against the violent treatment of young, vulnerable racehorses in training under Mr Stanley.
Please email: [email protected]
Thank you for taking action!
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