Racing Victoria has spent this week raving about ‘Here for the Horses’, a Channel 7 puff piece being framed as a documentary. We can only apologise to every sorry sod who had to sit through this excruciating 51 minutes – an insult to the intelligence of us all.

Conveniently timed to go to air in the lead up to the most controversial day on the racing calendar, The Melbourne Cup, ‘Here for the Horses’ provides a narrow view of the racing industry, coming only from a select few of those within. There is no delving into the issues that have long plagued the industry and no balance. The “documentary” provides not a single comment from an anti-racing campaigner, an uncompromised veterinarian, behavioural expert or even the most conservative of animal welfare advocates.

Presumably funded by Racing Victoria, ‘Here for the Horses’ focuses in on and exacerbates the miniscule positive changes industry participants claim have been made, whilst entirely ignoring the horrific and systemic cruelty, abuse and suffering that remains for the majority of these horses from birth to death.

New Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones, using the single ex racing horse he and his wife love is some kind of bizarre attempt to prove thousands of others have the same outcome.

Equally, showcasing the few horses who end up in equine therapy each year without talking about where the remainder of the 13,000 exiting racing and breeding go is embarrassing at best. As is talking up new pre-race screening measures to prevent horse deaths on track whilst failing to acknowledge that such measures only exist in the highest of high-profile races during the Spring Racing Carnival – meanwhile horses are started in races almost 180,000 times across the country each year with no improved screening whatsoever.

The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses, Deathwatch 2022 Report is days away from being published. In contrast to ‘Here for the Horses’ it is based on facts, and its statistics demonstrate the number of horses injured and dying on track remain as bad as ever.

Confinement, isolation, the inability to socialise and graze with a herd, the breaking of spirit, pain and fear inflicting instruments of control, and learned helplessness are also overlooked. The puff piece proves it is business as usual at Racing HQ, where maintaining the façade of being ‘here for the horses’ trumps dealing with even the worst aspects of horse racing’s cold, harsh reality.  

The industry’s inability to look at itself and present itself honestly, is ironically the very reason this puff piece had to be produced, yet still, the same ignorance, denial and selective story telling remains.

Industry participants who feature make it clear they believe a horse is of no purpose unless providing something for the human – an ignorant position that assumes horses have no intrinsic value and exist solely to serve our needs. This flawed belief goes to the very heart of why horses do and will continue to suffer across the board.  

‘Here for the Horses’ makes one thing very clear – the racing industry is determined to continue with the same old ways, in a world that is ever increasingly becoming one in which maintaining the status quo simply no longer cuts it.

‘Here for the Horses’ provides a false narrative which aims to convince the viewer that all has been fixed and racing is now a kind ‘sport’, managed by those who have the horses’ best interests above all else.  The only question that remains is whether people are stupid enough to keep on buying it. We think not.

Dear Supporter,  We have some very exciting news we cannot wait to share! It involves bold, fresh and fabulous Nup to the Cup branding, a new website, an artist collaboration, an eccentric animation, a song, YES, a song, a liberated (and somewhat psychadelic) horse, a launch party, and our most ambitious marketing campaign to date! Want more? Read on! Since CPR was formed in 2008, we have been exposing the racing industry for what it is – a ruthless exploitative industry that is all about making money.In October 2019, ABC’s 7.30 program ran the ground-breaking investigation, The Final Race that blew the lid on what happens to horses after they are ‘retired’ from racing. The racing industry had nowhere to hide, forcing them to admit that they had failed these horses. They were in damage control as their social licence was being seriously questioned. Though there have been some minor improvements, the claims being made that horses from the racing industry are no longer being sent to slaughter are just that – claims – just as they have been since we started exposing ‘wastage’ well over a decade ago. The industry still cannot tell us where the approximate 13,000 horses who are exiting racing and breeding each year are going.  We don’t believe anything has changed other than the disposal of racehorses has gone underground, literally. Whilst that may be a story for another day, we feel it is time to make a more concerted effort towards supporting and encouraging the cultural shift of turning Melbourne Cup day into Nup To The Cup day. A day we celebrate animals – not exploit them. OUR VISION Melbourne Cup day has traditionally been a fun day where Australian’s from all walks of life get together with friends, have a few drinks and a bet on the races. It is now time to turn it on it’s head! Nup to the Cup events have been happening since we kicked them off in 2010, giving die-hard animal lovers who were already aware of the cruelty of horse racing a fun alternative on a day many had found difficult in the past. Some still remain conflicted about receiving a public holiday for a cruel horse race. Through a more concerted effort to reach the masses, saying Nup to the Cup and partying FOR the animals CAN become the norm. Our vision is to make the first Tuesday of November into a day everyone celebrates animals, not a day we watch them being whipped around a racetrack for human entertainment and gambling profits. Our collective voice saying Nup to the Cup will become louder than ever before and spread the message that animal exploitation is not okay. KICKSTARTING OUR VISION BRAND NEW WEBSITE We’ve got a new website, dedicated solely to Nup to the Cup. It has all the information you need. It’s bright, colourful and fun and gives people a genuine cruelty free alternative. It demonstrates how you can say Nup to the Cup in so many varied ways, big and small. From a day with close friends at home, the park, the beach, where ever, to joining one of the many events that will be registered each year on our website. Or, you can even create your own large scale public event. Our website will help you promote it and provides ‘how to’ tips and support. We’ve made it as easy as possible to get involved. Go to nuptothecup.org to check it out and for more information. ARTIST COLLAB Meet Equus (aka Squeak Squeak), our 2022 Nup to the Cup Mascot, and his friends A chance meeting with world renowned artist, Anthony Breslin, led to a collaboration that now sees his colourful but sophisticated art being used to spread the word about the importance of having fun but not at the expense of any animals. Anthony, a pacifist and animal lover, immediately said yes to having his art being used to help spread the word about the plight of racehorses. You can find out more about Anthony here.  We’ve got a load of Nup to the Cup merchadise, some featuring the famous horse head, for you to buy.                              We’ve even bought Equus to life… Check him out in our new animation created by motion-design artist Mike Gordon below!

AN AMBITIOUS MARKETING CAMPAIGN
This year we’ve taken steps to get the message of saying Nup to the Cup to the masses. Our bold and bright new branding, designed by Melbourne artist Sebastian Berto, vibrant website and liberated mascot are just about to hit this country’s most popular digital news, business and lifestyle pages, whilst also flooding the socials across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Linkedin. Click on these platforms to follow us and when you do see our ads, please help spread the word by sharing to your own socials.
Let’s show everyone that we can still have fun whilst being kind to animals.

NUP TO THE CUP CAMPAIGN LAUNCH
We’re holding a special event to launch our campaign and it’s new website, new mascot and new song and we’d love you to join us. All tickets include vegan canapes and a complimentary drink on arrival.

Where:
The Gertrude Hotel – 148 Gertrude St. Fitzroy, Vic
When: 
Friday 7 October, 2022
5.00pm Media Launch (media only) 
6.30pm Campaign launch begins 
8:00pm DJ Shimmy Barnes
9.00pm Nup to the Cup song to be launched
Cost:
$40.00 General Admission (early bird before 20th September) 
$48.00 General Admission (post 20th September)
$70 CPR Patron (optional)
Tickets available here.

BE A VOICE THIS NUP TO THE CUP DAY! 
This year, and every year, we want as many people as possible to organise or attend a Nup To The Cup event, have an awesome, fun time, and use it as an opportunity to raise funds for any animal charity you desire. Our website has all the tips, listings and support you need.

Ironically, this year, Melbourne Cup day falls on World Vegan Day, November 1^st. So, let’s do it proud!

Help us achieve our vision by joining an event or starting your own – and let’s have fun FOR the animals!

DONATE
Help Nup to the Cup take on the Melbourne Cup!

Donate to our Nup to the Cup campaign here.

OTHER CPR EVENTS
Caulfield Cup Protest – Saturday 15 October, 2022
Derby Day Protest – Saturday 29 October, 2022
Melbourne Cup Parade Protest – Monday 31 October, 2022
Official CPR Nup to the Cup/Farshans in the Field Party – Tuesday 1 November, 2022

Keep an eye out for more details. Thank you for reading and remember… speak up, always! 

Friday 13^th March 2020, the day of the last Echuca horse sale. A day that was lucky for the horses that found good, private homes and unlucky for the unwanted and unloved that went to the meat men and dubious dealers. A day, thanks to COVID, that spelt the end of a sale that had resulted in misery, and often death, for so many horses.

Andrew Wilson & Co subsequently announced that all future sales would be online. It was later also stated that no meat buyers were allowed to bid and, regardless of that, it would be unviable for them to buy, seeing the horses were spread all over Australia. We had hope that not only Thoroughbreds, but all horses had a better chance of finding good, private homes.

For the past few months, we have been documenting the Thoroughbreds that are entered in the online sale (there will be more on that at a later date) and something became apparent, the same bidders were bidding on horses sale after sale, regardless of the horses’ location. We began documenting ALL the horses and have the proof that there are bidders who have bid on horses in multiple states, all in the same sale. This leads us to pose two questions:
are these bidders dummy – bidders who are used to jack up the prices;
or
is the argument that it’s not worth travelling around not valid?

Either way, this leads to other questions. Is it ethical to allow dummy bidding (if that is the case)?
Is it ethical to have what appears to be multiple dealers bidding/buying at the sale without the public being aware? How can it be guaranteed that meat buyers are not bidding, either directly or through a third party? Simple – it can’t be guaranteed, especially seeing that the argument of “it’s not worthwhile to travel around” seems null and void. One bidder in the sale ending on Friday 15^th July 2022, bid on well over 20 lots ranging from Thoroughbreds to Brumbies – horses that were spread across VIC, NSW and QLD. In the sale prior they did the same – bid on 20+ lots across 3 states. Another bidder also bid on 20+ lots in the last sale, horses ranging from Thoroughbreds to Clydesdales that were across VIC, NSW and one in SA. In the sale prior they bid on 20+ lots, this time spread over VIC, NSW, SA and QLD. We could go on and on but suffice to say, the above-mentioned bidders are not alone. There are many more at every sale that bid on any breed and across multiple states, too many to list here.

The racing industry has no regulations regarding the treatment, use and sale of horses once they are officially ‘retired’ from racing – excluding Racing NSW, who among other rules, have a list of four approved horse sales, that NSW thoroughbreds can be sold through. This is supposedly to ensure they are not purchased by dealers and meat buyers. The Andrew Wilson & Co online sale is one of them.

We give full credit to the Facebook group “Promoting Equines on Andrew Wilson & Co Online”. We are aware that they go to great lengths to promote the horses listed for sale in the hope they find good homes. It was because of this group that we became aware of two unreserved Standardbreds being sold together. It was stated the elderly vendor apparently had no idea that they could be sold to dealers or maybe even meat buyers and were distraught once they realised that could be the fate of their beloved horses. The group is obviously also aware that dealers bid. It was only because they announced that dealers possibly had the two highest bids (at that time) that there was a public outcry and the horses fortunately ended up with a private buyer. These horses were lucky. What about all the others, especially those that have sold with low or no reserves?

These sales should not exist at all, but so long as they do, they must demonstrate transparency and set minimum reserves on all horses that will keep them out of the hands of both meat buyers, other horse dealers and those who cannot afford to provide for their basic needs. They should also allow for the option of the original seller to be contacted shall the buyer find themselves in hardship and unable to care for the horses down the track.

Sellers need to be aware that dealers, or possibly worse, bid and buy horses at this sale. Sellers also need to be aware that whilst selling their horse to a stranger may  eventuate in a good outcome, it also places their horse  at risk of abuse and neglect or a premature and terrifying death.

Alternatives:

• Reach out to everyone you know for help
• Arrange for temporary agistment (if finances allow)
• Reach out to a respected sanctuary and make a donation that will help toward covering the cost of your horse’s care and then work with them to help find your horse a good home.
• Create a crowdfund to help raise money towards the above expenses if needed.
• If the horse was once registered for racing, contact the relevant racing authority and breeder and demand they support you in finding the horse a good home. You should also demand the ability to remain informed on the horse’s future throughout their lifecycle. The reality is the racing authorities (by choice) do not currently have a system to guarantee you this, but your demand will place pressure on them to start taking lifetime responsibility for the horses they depend on for their existence. Do not leave your horse in their hands without this guarantee – they are not safe. If the authorities refuse, cause a stir, report it on your socials and inform the media.
• In all scenario’s, ensure rehoming comes with a contract stating the horse cannot be on sold/rehomed without you being contacted first and given the option to take them back into your care
• If all avenues are exhausted and there is no possibility that you can continue to care for your horse, rehome them, or sell them privately to somewhere you have investigated, so you make the decision to send your horses to a sale, PLEASE, set a reserve price that will ensure they will not be purchased by meat buyers or other horse dealers and bear in mind, this could still be their fate in the future.
  

Ultimately, until we collectively recognise and respect horses as individuals in their own right, not commodities to be bought and sold for profits, they will remain at greater risk of abuse, neglect and premature death.

A robust National Horse Traceability Register will create the foundations of a system where horses can be protected from horrid poor welfare outcomes and slaughter.

HOW YOU CAN HELP!

1. Sign our petition directed at key personnel within government, the working group and horse industries here.
2. You can personalise the petition letter or send your own letter directly, expressing your frustration at this situation and your support for a robust register that will achieve what was initially intended – addresses here.
3. Share this post

#UrgentNationalRegister

#NHTR

Pictured: Katie and Phoenix – once used in harness racing, safely rehomed by public efforts and featured on Equine Voice Australia

Seven year old gelding Soviet was purchased by Gai Waterhouse for $270,000 in 2016. He was raced across NSW from the age of two by the Hall of Fame trainer and was sold off two years later after failing to live up to the expectations placed on him.

His bright light city race meets were replaced with the provincial and country circuit. The number of times he was raced significantly increased as the prizemoney chased continued to decline,

After another owner/trainer change in 2021, Soviet was raced across QLD country tracks by Kerry Krogh ten times in just three months. The worst stint was three race meets in just eight days, which Racing Queensland had no problem with.

Soviet ended up in the hands of several others who also had predetermined ideas of who and what he should be, before ending up at the slaughterhouse two weeks ago to meet a premature and terrifying end

This is an all too common story.

It’s been almost three years since the systemic killing of racehorses and the horrors of Meramist were exposed to the public. Three years and still there is NO national horse traceability register, NO retirement plan and NO ban on the killing of horses by any racing authority – aside from the clearly ineffective one by Racing NSW.

The only thing the racing industry has improved is their systems to hide the killing more effectively. We invite them to prove us wrong by providing evidence as to the whereabouts of the approximate 35,000 thoroughbreds alone, that have vanished from racing since the Final Race aired.

Soviet was never appreciated for who he was – only what he could provide. When that failed, he was unwanted by everyone who came into his life, from beginning to end. It is too late for him, but not for those to come. Please honour his memory by TAKING ACTION now!

1.Demand the failing National Horse Traceability Register be steered back on course here.

2. Take the pledge to never bet on or attend a horse race again here.

3. Donate to our #NuptotheCup 2022 campaign here.

4 Share this article

Rest peacefully sweet angel.

CPR has received animal welfare incident reports from Meramist slaughterhouse in Caboolture QLD through a Right to Information inquiry made by Meet Our Horse Meat. Whilst we recognise the obscurity in (unintentionally) implying a place that exists to kill horses and other animals somehow has their welfare as a consideration, these stories give a snapshot into their lives before being sent to the slaughterhouse, during transport and/or on arrival.

Help horses by:

1. Demanding the National Horse Traceability Register be designed to achieve its intended purpose https://horseracingkills.com/nhtr/

2. Signing the petition directed at the EU Commission to end their import of Australian horse meat https://bit.ly/2LWvb1m

3. Watch and share ‘The Final Race’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp-ALoBRW20

Incident 7/5/2019 (no incident number).

The Meramist On-Plant Vet was performing an ante-mortem exam on the horses due for slaughter that day. At 6.50am they discovered a brown gelding who was blind in both eyes in a pen with 35 other horses. All horses had been delivered the previous morning. The vet noticed he had his head down and extensive swelling involving soft tissue around the right eye. The surface of his left eye was cloudy with no menace response indicating blindness in that eye. The right eye was subsequently checked with the peri-orbital swelling being at least 24 hours old. Again, no menace response and bi lateral blindness was confirmed when the gelding was noticed walking into the perimeter fence of the yard. The vet declared the horse ‘unfit to load’.

Another staff member agreed he was blind and led him up the race for “priority slaughter”.

The gelding was reported to be a thoroughbred type and 20+ years old. He had a body score of 3/5 and was depressed and lethargic.

The truck the gelding arrived in carried 35 other horses over two trailers.

His eyes were extracted after slaughter and locked securely in DAWR freezer.

There were eight photos accompanying the report which the Queensland Government did not provide.

Previous incidents from the same horse trader:

16/4/2019 – horse with open dislocation of left hind fetlock on truck

3/1/2018 – three horses down in truck, one fractured skull, one broken leg, one dead.

26/9/2017 – use of cattle prod on brumbies while unloading.

There are other incidents at Meramist that we are aware of from this same horse trader that are not mentioned in the above summary.

It is highly likely the brown gelding was the stock horse pictured – sold at Echuca sales 11 days prior to the same person who delivered this and thirty-five other horses to Meramist. He was advertised as “quiet in the yard and blind in one eye”.

The vet said the horse had extensive swelling around the right eye and that it was at least 24 hours old so why wasn’t this picked up the day before and the horse euthanased then? He was blind in a pen (and likely in a cramped truck) with 35 other horses and entirely at their mercy.

There are so many related incidents to this vendor, yet he was allowed to continue supplying horses to Meramist.

Whilst over 50% of horses killed at Meramist are racehorses (as our 2019 investigation exposed), many of the horses in these incident reports that we will be sharing with you over the coming months are not. Even so, we feel a deep responsibility to tell their stories, to keep exposing the devastating reality of a world that trades in horses (and so many other animals) as objects for our use as we see fit. In these cases- it is the end of the line, when all other uses have been exhausted. The last remaining thing to exploit them for is their very own flesh, to be served up as a meal for humans in Europe and Asia.

To keep across future Meramist story posts on social media search #MeramistStories #UrgentNationalRegister

26 May 2022

Attn: Nathalie Chaze

European Commission Director General for Health and Food Safety

By email: [email protected]

Copy to:
EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
Stella Kyriakides
[email protected]

A further request for the immediate suspension of horsemeat products from Australia

Dear Nathalie Chaze,

Thank you for your letter dated 1st March 2022 on the above-mentioned subject. We would like to share with you new evidence which demonstrates the disregard of the Australian horse traders with EU rules regarding horse traceability and the safety of Australian meat for consumers.

We have statutory declarations from witnesses who have seen, first-hand, the fraudulent activities of the horse traders with regard to Horse Vendor Declarations (HVDs). By law, HVDs are to be completed and signed by the vendors the horse traders buy from. This has been proven to not always happen. These HVD numbers are then listed on the HVDs that the horse traders complete, and they accompany the horses to the Meramist abattoir. This is a system that does not work.

The statutory declarations provide proof that fraudulent HVDs are common. They are annexed to this letter in full detail but, in brief, relate to the following:

• Statutory declaration from witness 1 who personally witnessed horses known to have drugs in their system, and horses not fit for transport, being taken to, and accepted by, Meramist abattoir. The witness was employed by xxxxxxxx (name redacted) at the time, a sub vendor for Peter Klan – both horse traders who provide horses to Meramist. She witnessed HVDs being completed by people other than the vendor of the horses. She heard the horse trader say that the On Plant Vet at Meramist turns a blind eye to many of the unfit horses sent to Meramist. What she witnessed is proof that EU traceability requirements are not met.
• Statutory declaration from witness 2 who attended the Echuca horse sale on 26^th April 2019 and witnessed sale staff completing the HVDs rather than the vendor of the horses. This is a breach of EU traceability requirements.
• Statutory declaration from witness 3 who attended the Camden horse sale on 4^th December 2019 and witnessed two mares being bought and loaded by xxxxxx (name redacted), a horse trader and supplier to Meramist. A further statutory declaration from witness 2 regarding the same sale and same mares. The sale auctioneer stated to the witness that no HVDs were handed out that day. That being the case, it means they were completed fraudulently by, or on behalf of, the horse trader. This is also a breach of EU traceability requirements.

Summary:

Name	Where	Date	Issue	Breach of EU Traceability
Witness 1	Peter Klan’s sub vendor	2020, 2021	Horses delivered to Meramist with drugs in system   Fraudulent HVDs	Yes
Witness 3	Camden Horse Sale	4.12.19	xxxxxxx (name redacted) bought horses with no HVD
Witness 2	Phone contact	Dec 2019	Horses delivered to Meramist	Yes
Witness 2	Echuca Horse sale	26.4.19	Staff not vendor filling out HVD	yes

Further to the statutory declarations, we have evidence that errors regarding the identity of horses can and do happen. An investigation by Biosecurity Queensland into an incident on 16^th April 2019, did not make mention of an inaccuracy on the HVD the horse trader completed, even though it concerned one of the horses involved in the incident. The description of the horse on the HVD did not match the horse with that tag number. This is further proof that the HVDs should not and cannot be relied upon. The details of this incident are also annexed.

Through Right to Information we have received reports that involve horrific animal welfare breaches that resulted in the suffering, or even death, of numerous horses during long haul transport. Many of these horses were not fit to be transported and suffered for extended periods of time. Some involved horses that were very aged and a horse who was blind. These incidents break Australian law.

In your letter dated 1^st March, you indicate that due to the low number of residues-related RASFF notifications for horsemeat from Australia, there is no real food safety risk for consumers. In this context, we would be interested to know how many horsemeat samples were tested at EU border inspection posts in the last three years (2019-21) from Australia, and how many of these samples showed positive results of drug residues.

In our opinion, the potential food safety risk appears to be considerable, especially considering more than 50 % of the slaughtered horses come from the racing industry, and where there is no reliable system of traceability in place.

Based on this new and also previously supplied evidence relating to food safety and horse welfare breaches to EU requirements, we urgently ask for an immediate suspension of all horse meat products from Australia.

We appreciate the time taken to read the annexed documents and await your reply.

Yours sincerely,

Elio Celotto

Campaign Director
Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses

Previous letters sent to the EU regarding breaches to their Australian horse meat import requirements available here and here.

To sign the petition calling on a suspension of horse meat imports from third countries to the EU, click here.

Jet’s story is an all too common one. It is a devastating one and a clear reflection of an industry and a system that continues to fail animals.

Jet was raced for less than three years – the average for a thoroughbred racehorse. He won over $40,000 for his owners across NSW country racetracks including Muswellbrook, Gosford, Bathurst, Tamworth, Wyong and Scone.

Once his owners and trainer were done with him he was officially ‘retired’ from racing and rehomed – at which point the racing authority, his trainer and his owners absolved themselves of any ongoing responsibility or concern for his life and his care.

Between 2013 and 2020 he had three different owners. We don’t know how Jet was treated throughout this time or what his life was like, until he was passed to a fourth owner in mid 2020. By March 2021 the RSPCA had stepped in due to Jet’s poor condition and placed the then sixteen year old on a monitoring system and feeding regime.

One year later, Jet was rescued by Hunter Horse Haven. The images they took tell the story of just how well the RSPCA monitoring system worked for Jet. He was starving, was eating his own faeces and had even eaten parts of a fence.

Over fifteen long days and nights Jet was given round the clock monitoring, tests, veterinary guidance, small three hourly feeds, and an abundance and love and care. His carers slept by his side in his barn every night. But it was not enough to reverse the damage that was done. Jet’s heart gave out on the morning of May 1, 2022 and he was put to rest.

Jet’s last owner failed him. The RSPCA failed him. And the racing industry failed him.

Whilst Jet may have been ‘retired’ from the racing industry some years ago, this does not negate them of responsibility. Racing breeds approximately 13,000 thoroughbreds each year and expects the Australian public to take responsibility for almost all of them once racing has used them up and spat them out. Jet made over $40,000 for his owners and still, his life ended as a starved horse, who was only a shadow of himself. So long as the racing industry’s business model is one of breed, use, abuse and discard we will continue to see such suffering. It’s just not good enough.

Thoroughbred racing turned over $29 billion in wagering alone last year. Over $800 million was paid out in prizemoney. Yet thousands of horses still end up either killed or neglected. Meanwhile, the National Horse Traceability Register that Australians were promised has turned into an absolute farce (more on that soon).

Please TAKE ACTION now, for Jet and so many others in five easy steps:

1. Take the pledge to never bet on or attend a horse race again here.

2. Demand an Independent Office of Animal Protection that can adequately address animal suffering – something the RSPCA have proven time and time again they cannot. Sign here.

3. Send your love and gratitude to Hunter Horse Haven Inc. Rehabilitation, Rehoming & Sanctuary by making a donation to their work for horses here.

4. We need politicians who care about animals above the profits of animal abuse industries. Remember this at the polling booth.

5. Share his story

Supporters may recall, back in November 2020, we published an article titled “Racing Tasmania Admits Racehorses are Routinely Shot in the Head” – available here.

Within the article, we drew attention to an interview with the then General Manager of the Office of Racing Integrity (ORI) and Director of Racing John King, who admitted on ABC Morning Radio that a “significant” number of two, three and four year old racehorses are shot in the head due to simply not being fast enough – referring to the issue as “an unfortunate truth”.

So, we crunched some numbers and found that on average, 299 horses vanish from Tasmania’s thoroughbred racing industry every year.

Mr King did shed some light on where some had gone, when he stated that 59 Tasmanian thoroughbred horses had been euthanised due to injury or illness that racing year.

This figure raised serious red flags, as according to our research of stewards reports for that racing year, 2019/20, not a single horse was reported to have been killed due to injury – at least on race day. Could all 59 injuries resulting in euthanasia have really occurred away from the racetrack?
   
Our article led to us having a discussion with the office of Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie, who too was appalled and outspoken when he heard the ABC interview.

Mr Wilkie subsequently put forward some questions to Tasmania’s Minister for Racing at the time, Jane Howlett, regarding:
– Mr King’s comments;
– our findings on the number of horses vanishing from racing each year;
– auditing procedures to claims horses are “retired” and,
– breeding incentive programs.

The answers to these questions came from Mr King’s replacement at the ORI, Tony Latham in June 2021. NB: Mr Latham has since been removed from his role and placed under investigation for misconduct for other matters.

Question 1
How many of those (59) deaths were caused by injuries that were sustained or likely sustained as a result of racing, trials and/or training? 

ORI Mr Latham’s answer:

36 horses were euthanised from injury – The majority of those euthanised was training related with a few injuries sustained whilst spelling. There were no racetrack deaths in 2018/2019 or 2019/2020 financial year.

7 Horses were euthanised from illness.

16 horses were euthanised by the owner’s request due to not suitable for rehoming or behavioural issues.

So, most of the 36 life-taking injuries were sustained during training (not racing) in Tasmania alone, a tiny industry comparative to other states. This is a sobering statistic when you consider our Deathwatch Report finding of one horse being killed due to racing-related injuries every 2.5 days Australia-wide is made up almost entirely of injuries sustained on race day. If deaths caused from training and trials were required to be reported across the country, it is horrifying to imagine how many actual horses are being killed due to racing related injuries each year. Having said this, considering the high number of horses who leave the racetrack injured/lame, it is highly unrealistic that none of those horses would have been euthanised from those race day injuries once being taken from the track.

Question 2
Based on figures obtained from the Racing Australia Fact Book, an average of 299 thoroughbred horses have vanished from racing in Tasmania each year over the past seven years – see Table 1 below. This is approximately 30% of the horses registered to race in Tasmania – a figure similar to that of the country average. Mr King acknowledged that a “significant” number of two, three and four-year-old racehorses are shot in the head due to simply not being fast enough. How many of the horses taken out of racing each year suffer such a fate?

ORI Mr Latham’s answer:

Regarding your comments about horses ‘vanishing’ over the past seven years is not the case, and comments regarding a significant number of two, three- and four-year-old horses destroyed due to not being fast enough is incorrect. The data provided by Racing Australia reveals that between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020, sixteen (16) four-year-old named horses were retired from the racing industry. Three (3) were euthanised due to injury, two (2) were retired for breeding, eleven (11) were retired for either equestrian / pleasure / working / companion horse / breeding (non-racing).

So, is Mr Latham stating that the Racing Australia Fact Book figures on the numbers of horses being bred and raced each year (where our figures come from) is incorrect? Is he also stating that his predecessor Mr King lied in his ABC interview or that he was ill informed? As to the data provided by Racing Australia on four-year-olds – well, that accounts for 16 of the several hundred to have vanished from racing that year, and whether accurate is questionable considering the data comes from owners claims on a form.

Mr Latham went on to state:

In 2018/2019 financial year there were 742 named horses notified of being retired, deceased/euthanised or retired as breeding

In 2019/2020 financial year there were 537 named horses notified of being retired, deceased/euthanised or retired as breeding.

Of all the claims made by racing authorities, this had to be one of the most absurd. The figures we calculated in Table 1 demonstrate that on average 299 horses vanish each year from Tasmania racing. Our figures are based on information provided in the Racing Australia Fact Book, which  indicates in the 18/19 racing year 241 named horses vanished from racing in Tasmania. The ORI claims that 742 were retired/deceased/euthanised/breeding. Is the ORI saying the problem is over three times greater than what we found?

Even more absurd, according to the Fact Book, there were only 847 horses in total at the beginning of the 2018/19 racing season in Tasmania. To lose 742 is a single year from racing to retirement/death/breeding is essentially to lose almost every single registered horse from racing and replace them. Mr Latham’s claim of 537 named horses notified as retired/deceased/euthanised/breeding the following year represents a similarly strange scenario.

Such figures make absolutely no sense, unless of course the situation in Tasmania is even worse than our findings suggest.

Finally, some light was shed on these claims once Tasmania’s own 2021 Annual Report was published – available here.

On page 19 they mention a “data clean-up and reconciliation of old records” under their retirement data chart.

Adding the “data audit records” to their chart figures adds up to the numbers Mr Latham provided in his response to Mr Wilkie. For example: in the 2018/19 racing year, according to the chart above, 264 horses were retired/deceased/euthanised plus 478 came from audit record clean ups – total 742, as claimed originally by Mr Latham.  

So, there are two options here – either TasRacing are just making up figures to cover for the ORI’s very odd and concerning original claims, or they are actually cleaning up shop as they claim in the above chart (on gathering retirement data at least). If the latter is in fact the truth, then why did Mr Latham not mention this in his response? It appears to us that it never even registered to him that he was providing a figure that demonstrated that almost every single horse in racing was being taken out of racing each year due to death, ‘retirement’ or for breeding and replaced. If he acknowledged how large this figure was, would he not have explained it was due to a ‘data clean up and reconciliation of old records’ as now being claimed in the chart above?

It must also be noted that 2021 is the first time in the history of the TasRacing Annual Report, that they have published thoroughbred and standardbred horse retirement figures. This is a clear indication that increased pressure on TasRacing by animal welfare groups, some politicians and the general public has forced them to demonstrate at least some form of accountability. Previously, the term ‘retirement’ more frequently appears when discussing board members and pension benefits.
 
Of particular note in the TasRacing chart above:

Euthanised refers to thoroughbreds that have been euthanised due to an injury or illness, unsafe to be rehomed or unable to be placed in a home. It includes euthanasia via veterinary surgeon and knackery/abattoir persons.

Euthanasia is when a horses suffering cannot be addressed to give quality of life – not convenience killing, and should never be done in the terrifying horrors of a knackery or slaughterhouse. There also appears to be no requirement for the owner to prove they made any rehoming attempts at all, nor proof that a horse is dangerous.

The chart also claims the majority (over 60%) of thoroughbred horses are rehomed. Yet, it also states: Data is self-reporting and has not been independently verified.

Completing retirement forms is now compulsory, and the address to which a horse is being rehomed must be provided. However, these are not fact checked by the authority. A person retiring a racehorse can say anything they like on the form. Why would one admit they are killing horses once they no longer want them when they don’t have to? And why would John King, as the General Manager of the ORI, have stated in 2020 that a “significant” number of two, three and four-year-old racehorses are shot in the head due to simply not being fast enough? Of course, ‘not being fast enough’ is not one of the descriptions of what being ‘euthanised’ (killed) refers to in the chart above.

There is no way of knowing if the rehomed figures claimed by TasRacing are accurate, but history and the known difficulty of rehoming racehorses makes it a safe bet to assume they are not. At the very least, the figures provided by the ORI in the various stages of this brief inquiry about “retired” horses, gives the public virtually no confidence in the accuracy of their record keeping.

As a final note on the above chart: there is interestingly one very obvious statistic missing. Trainers and owners constantly profess their absolute love for the horses they use. Yet, there is no category for a trainer or owner who has kept their horse after ‘retirement’. According to TasRacing figures, every single horse used to race over the past three years either died, was put into breeding, was sent to a livestock sale, or was rehomed. It is of course entirely possible that some owners/trainers may have kept a horse in their care after racing, but the fact that this is not even a category suggests they would of course be the exception to the rule. Funny that.  

Our final question to the Tasmanian Minister for Racing
The Tasmanian government has allocated $1.54 million toward the Tasbred incentives scheme designed to encourage Tasmanians to not only breed more thoroughbreds but to also race them as early as two, three and four years old. Considering there is a “significant” number of horses being killed each year for simply not being fast enough and the fact that racing horses before their skeletons are fully formed increases the chance of early injury and therefore death, is it not therefore against the industry’s and governments claims of taking animal welfare very seriously, to be encouraging bringing more horses into an industry only to be injured and/or killed at an age that is a fraction of their natural lifespan?

ORI Mr Latham’s answer:

The Tasmanian Government financial contribution to the TASBRED scheme strengthens the Tasmanian Racing Industry, providing incentives to increase breeding of racehorses in Tasmania, creating new jobs within breeding, racing, and associated primary industries. The TASBRED scheme in my opinion will not lead to an increase in animal cruelty as the horse population remains at a consistent level and the number of races held has not increased.

The TASBRED scheme will promote breeding in Tasmania which will strengthen the Tasmania thoroughbred population and in the longer term, this will decrease the number of imported horses coming into the state from the mainland.

This $1.54 million has now increased to $2 million for 2022. Even though retirement data, now officially published, shows approximately 300 thoroughbred horses alone (approx. 450 when horses from Tas harness racing are including), are in need of good homes each year, just in Tasmania, the Tasmanian Government doesn’t see incentivising more breeding to be a problem. Of course, these are just the numbers of horses who are retired after making it to the track in the first place. Plenty more who are bred do not. A horse’s natural lifespan is roughly 25 years. Where does TasRacing and the Tasmanian Government expect all of these horses to go? Sadly, we know the answer.

Cover image: Sneaky – a Brightside Farm Sanctuary resident, rescued from a Tasmanian racehorse trainer who was selling him for pet meat.

Dear Supporter,   We are well into the new year and summer has come to a close, so we thought it was time to send out an update on just some of the things that took place over the hottest months of the racing year. We know our e-news letters can be a bit grisly due to the cruelty in horse racing knowing no bounds, so we are glad to say we are going to kick off and finish off with some more hopeful news for animals in this edition. In this newsletter: Sweden bans whips in racing Racing calls parents ‘woke’ now they are no longer able to bribe schools Racing WA goes from bad to worse Sir Mark Todd whipping causes international outrage Tragedy in the barriers Happy Winner treated like a used car Thoroughbreds at sales CPR NZ annual injury and death stats Racing NSW to capitalise on Melbourne Cup deaths Vets who sponsor animal abuse Nup to the Launceston Cup NSW Greens announce animal sentience bill Booze to boycott Upcoming protests The tennis is the new races  SWEDEN BANS WHIPS IN RACING “The use of the whip in Sweden has been discussed for years,” said Helena Gartner, project manager of the Scandinavian Racing Regulations Committee. “The regulations have changed gradually and the foam-padded sticks were introduced some years ago, but now it is time to ban the use of the whip completely. Whip use in horse racing simply does not belong in 2022.” Unfortunately jockeys will still be allowed to carry a whip which they claim can only be used to prevent accidents. More here. Neighbouring Norway made changes to whip rules way back in 1986. By 2009 they banned the use of whips in almost all races. Former Norweigan Jockey Club director Hans Petter Eriksen has made it clear that there have been no accidents resulting from jockeys not being able to carry a whip and steward Helge Byrgin has stated that anecdotal evidence suggests that there have been “fewer serious injuries to horses during the races than there were before.” Whilst whips are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to horse racing cruelty, ending their use will without a doubt reduce horse injuries, torment and suffering. It is beyond time Australia followed suit. TAKE ACTION to #ditchthewhip here.

TOUGH TIMES WHEN RACING CAN NO LONGER BRIBE SCHOOLS 
 Earlier this week, Racing Victoria boss, Giles Thompson made no friends when he blamed ‘woke’ parents for keeping racing out of schools.

From the article:
… he admitted the industry had little luck trying to get into schools to promote all things good about racing, saying 95 per cent of schools had knocked back Racing Victoria initiatives, such as free educational incursions in schools, visits from horses or jockeys and excursions to racetracks.

“It only takes one parent to object to the headmaster or headmistress that you’re encouraging kids to gamble, and that will shut it down,” he said.
“When we could deliver [education programs], it was wildly successful. But you couldn’t get into the schools. Ninety-five per cent of schools would say, ‘we’re not interested,’ and you’d say, ‘why not?’ and they’d say, ‘the parents won’t put up with it’.

“It’s ‘wokeism’ if you like, of, it only takes one parent to kibosh it when 50 parents might be pro it.”
But Thompson said racing’s challenge when it came to engaging children wasn’t just gambling-related.

“If you think about what puts a school off racing, it’s the gambling, it’s the breakdowns of horses – horses breaking down in the Melbourne Cup is tragic for us in that environment – and it’s how we’re perceived,” he said.

“That’s a real challenge, and it certainly can’t be fixed overnight.”

Full article here.

RACING WA GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE 

Track Deaths
You may recall in our last e-news just before the holiday season, we alerted you to the fact that since October at least eight horses had been killed due to injuries sustained whilst being used to race on WA tracks – five of them at Ascot. Sadly that figure has now increased to twelve, with six of the discovered fatalities occurring at the same track – Ascot. 

Our calls to the Racing Minister Tony Buti to cancel the New Years Day Perth Cup and launch an investigation at the deadly track were denied. To demonstrate even more disregard, the Minister sent us a letter praising Racing and Wagering Western Australia for all its wonderful work in horse welfare.

Either Mr Buti knows nothing about the portfolio he carries or he is simply a tax payer funded industry mouthpiece.  

The sixth Ascot death we were unaware of at the time was beautiful Pocoyo (pictured). The four year old gelding was yet to even be raced when he was injured and killed in trackwork at the Ascot course.

Heat Illness
WA experienced some brutally hot weather over the summer period. Temperatures in Perth climbed to over 40 degrees for six consecutive days but that did not stop the races from going ahead. Many horses were reported to suffer exertional heat illness on racetracks across the state, with at least three horses suffering the illness on one race day alone. 

Exertional heat illness is a terrible condition to suffer. Symptoms vary depending on severity and include abnormal neurological function, disorientation, irritability, instability, collapse, convulsions, coma and even death. Stewards reports play down the severity with symptoms minimised or even not recorded in their reports. A milder version of the illness can be viewed here. 

Hot weather policies are very vague across Australian racetracks and allow much room to deviate from what is required to avoid horses suffering heat illness. Even when races are moved to less brutal times of the day, little if any consideration appears to be given to the fact that horses may have already endured extreme heat for several days prior to the meet and are often transported long distances in uninsulated floats without ventilation to reach the track.

Every which was you look at it there is suffering in horse racing and a lack of integrity among those bestowed to protect the horses welfare.  

WA Protests
Whilst the heat did not stop the races, it also didn’t stop our dedicated CPR team in Perth who came together to say Nup to the Perth Cup. Thank you so much to everyone who attended.

WOULD THE WORLD BE OUTRAGED IF HE AND THE HORSE WERE ON THE RACETRACK?  
Several weeks ago, footage emerged of Sir Mark Todd whipping a horse ten times with a stick to make them go through a water obstacle.

The knighted equestrian champion has been a licensed racehorse trainer in the UK since retiring from eventing three years ago.

Whilst we absolutely condemn this act of violence, we must highlight that such acts of aggression and abuse are standard practice in the racing industry. Beating a horse with a racing whip is not unlike what Mark Todd has been exposed carrying out in a cross-country training session, yet his behaviour in this scenario has outraged the world. This says a lot about how much people are willing to accept blatant animal abuse when it occurs in a scenario where they are used to seeing it. Watch the perfect example here.

Racing industry proponents were quick to go into damage control, using this incident to call on the British Racing Authority to change the name of the whip to something more palatable such as a “procush” or the “encourager” believing the public will not associate beating a horse with an object as a form of abuse if the object has a different name – see here.

As another example of this disconnect when it comes to horse racing, New Zealand horse Rocket Science didn’t want to go into the barriers so he was struck repeatedly with a buggy whip around his croup, flank and the back of his legs. Watch here. The four year old gelding was eventually scratched from the race but had he not been, he would have also been subjected to the standard industry practice of being beaten with a regular racing whip on the course. 

The abuse Mark Todd subjected this horse to was rightly condemned by the world. We are calling on the public to make the connection between the appalling abuse Sir Mark Todd subjected this innocent horse to and the standard industry practices that occur daily in horse racing. People must join the dots and see that such abuse should never be accepted simply because it occurs on a racetrack.

TAKE ACTION to #ditchthewhip here.

For more abuse behind the barriers, watch here and here. Captured at the New Plymouth racetrack by CPR New Zealand and Taranaki Animal Save

TRAGEDY IN THE BARRIERS
 “UNRULY”, “PLAYING UP”, “HOTHEADED”, “AWKWARD”, “A REAL PROBLEM”, “POOR BARRIER MANNERS”, “RELUCTANT TO PROCEED TO GATES”, “DIFFICULT TO LOAD”.

This is how Moonshine Lady has been described over the years by trainers and stewards for not wanting to be forced into the barriers to race. They repeatedly ignored her objections and this ultimately led to her death. Horses regularly become fractious and panicked inside the barriers with many dragged by the bit or hit with a buggy whip just to get them inside. For Moonshine Lady, her refusals were so great that she had been embargoed on five previous occasions.

At Randwick on February 12, the six year old mare once again panicked after being forced into the barriers. She reared and consequently became stuck, sustaining a catastrophic injury to her upper right forelimb. The veterinarian on duty decided her injury was so great that she had to be “euthanised”. The words now being said about Moonshine Lady in horse racing circles are “oh no”, “condolences to her connections”, “is she ok?”, “that looked horrible”, “has she survived?”, “that looked horrific”.
 
Moonshine Lady’s fears and objections to racing were repeatedly ignored because she was seen as an object to make money from and it cost her her life.

Rest in Peace Moonshine Lady. We are so sorry.

Read our article on how common it is for horses to become stressed from being forced into the barriers here.

A USED CAR MAY HAVE BEEN GIVEN MORE CONSIDERATION   
In January, Racing NSW stewards found trainer Joanne Hardy guilty of actions which likely led to the death of three year old gelding, Happy Winner.

Happy Winner suffered an injury to his off-fore superficial digital flexor tendon and required a recovery period and rehabilitation program. Ms Hardy failed to disclose this information both when advertising him for sale and to the subsequent buyer – another industry trainer Brett Robb. Mr Robb put Happy Winner into a “work program” that was contrary to the recovery period and/or rehabilitation program he required before he suffered a catastrophic injury to both fore superficial digital flexor tendons and was euthanased.

Ms Hardy paid $15,000 for Happy Winner in March 2021. By April she was aware of the injury and by June he was listed for sale. She never made a cent from him before he was injured and presumably wanted to recuperate her costs. Happy Winner was treated more like a used car than a living being, which should never surprise in an industry that uses animals for profits.

Joanne Hardy has been suspended for eight months for her actions, plus an additional two months for providing misleading evidence to stewards. Full report available here.

THOROUGHBREDS CONTINUE TO BE BRED WHEN THERE SIMPLY ISN’T THE HOMES 
 Fifteen thoroughbred horses were listed for sale in the recent Andrew Wilson Online Sales. Twelve were ‘passed in’ – many not coming close to their reserve.

Several were still listed as ‘ACTIVE’ by the racing authority.
Some have never been raced.
Others have been raced as recently as December last year.
Two horses did not even have a reserve.
Several remain at serious risk of being purchased by kill buyers.
All, once sold, will end up in the hands of strangers, with the sellers having no idea or control as to what their lives will be like and their eventual fate will be.
A good life expectancy of a horses is 25+ years.
The average time a horse is used in racing is less than three years.

The racing industry continues to breed 13,000 horses a year knowing the vast majority of industry participants no longer have an interest in keeping them once they can no longer race them (that’s if they make it to the track at all) and that there is clearly not enough demand to find them post racing homes. 
 The racing industry just doesn’t add up. It never will.

CPR NEW ZEALAND RELEASES ANNUAL INJURY AND DEATH STATS 
New Zealand racehorses suffered tremendously across 2021.Sadly, twenty-five of them lost their lives on the racetrack – their average age just five years old. Deaths resulting from injuries sustained in trials, training and trackwork are not included in this figure as the industry does not report these deaths.
 306 injuries sustained whilst racing were recorded and some contribute to the 3,000 (approx) horses who vanish from NZ thoroughbred racing each year and remain unaccounted for. More on that here.

Rest in Peace 
Communique – 5 years old  
Fasong – 5 years old
Megavision – 3 years old
Truefalls – 5 years old
Gamester – 4 years old
Kaharau – 10 years old
No Dancing Today – 3 years old
Man oh Man – 5 years old
Woletthefoxout – 7 years old
Kool Power – 4 years old
Pablo Esk – 4 years old
Barry’s Choice – 3 years old
Our Cuzzie – 5 years old

Cutting up Rough – 8 years old, Speck Savers – 4 years old, Canadian Mountie – 3 years old, Oceana Lad – 5 years old, Falco Three – 4 years old, On Show – 4 years old, All Night Long – 5 years old, Wowwhata Haradasun – 3 years old, Altar Boy – 4 years old, Rock on Wood – 6 years old, Americo – 4 years old, Trickle Treat – 5 years old

RACING NSW TO CAPITALISE ON CUP DEATHS  
Racing NSW is working to capitalise on the demise of the Melbourne Cup event that has seen at least eight horses killed in nine years, by scheduling a new $2 million race event ‘The Big Dance’ at Royal Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day. Article here.

Whilst ‘The Big Dance’ aims to lure the younger generations who are turning their backs on horse racing to the track, they must be made aware that track deaths are not reserved to the Melbourne Cup. What’s worse – whilst the 2021 Melbourne Cup was spared another track death, on that same day six year old gelding The Grinder was killed at the very track where ‘The Big Dance’ will be held.

Wherever there is horse racing there will be horse suffering and horse deaths.

Say #NuptotheBigDance and #NuptotheCup.

VETS WHO SPONSOR ANIMAL ABUSE 
We recently observed some interesting comments regarding a registered veterinarian being implicated in the probe into race-fixing and cocaine trafficking last year.

We 100% agree that it is an absolute disgrace to learn a vet is allegedly involved in such a rort and felt this was a good opportunity to highlight something we have long found very disturbing.

It is not uncommon to see veterinary practices sponsoring horse racing. For example – the Bendigo-based clinic Apiam Animal Health has long been a supporter and sponsor of the Bendigo Jockey Club, and in 2020 became a major partner. In fact, Apiam Animal Health were direct sponsors of at least two races that resulted in the death of horses in the last racing year – six year olds Skilled Assassin, and later Super Girl, in the Bendigo Cup.
 
Southwest Equine Veterinary Group is another regular horse racing supporter. Perhaps even more shocking is they have been a long-time and frequent sponsor of jumps races at the Warrnambool track. In 2020 they directly sponsored the jumps race which caused the shocking fall of eight-year-old Unabashed and ultimately took his life.

There are so many wonderful, dedicated and passionate vets out there who work tremendously hard and truly care about the wellbeing of animals. In becoming a vet, one must make a commitment to animal health and welfare and many suffer emotionally and physically from the heavy burden of the work.

It is possible to work as a vet to improve the health of all animals, including those who are used in racing, but to endorse the cruelty and suffering inflicted upon them as a registered veterinary practice, and use their suffering to promote your business is unacceptable and an absolute betrayal of the very animals whom they are supposed to protect.

NUP TO THE LAUNCESTON CUP 

Huge thanks to Direct Action Everywhere – DxE – Tasmania for saying Nup to the Launceston Cup last week. Racegoers could not ignore their message on the cruelty they were supporting as they entered the gates.

 Interestingly, the news article here quotes a Tasmanian government representative strongly defending the industry and stating:

“To improve transparency on animal welfare, Tasracing is providing information in their annual report on track injuries, euthanasia, retirement and re-homing statistics. The majority of industry participants provide great care to their animals.”

As far as we can tell, 2021 was the first annual report to record such statistics. Could this be in response to our damning article in late 2020 that exposed the number of horses vanishing from TasRacing each year? A finding that is supported by the Tasmanian governments own former Manager of the Office of Racing Integrity who admitted that Tasmanian racehorses are routinely shot in the head. More here.

In any case, the annual reports’ published statistic on the number of horses exiting racing each year is very close to our findings. What is farcical is the TasRacing breakdown on where those horses go. More on that shortly.

In the meantime, huge thanks again to DxE Tasmania for their presence at the track. If you’d like to do the same at your local track, please get in touch with us for guidance and support.  

A BIG STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR ALL ANIMALS 

On February 24, the NSW Greens gave notice of a Bill to change their animal welfare laws to explicitly recognise that animals are sentient beings.

Greens MP Abigail Boyd stated:“Is it any wonder that the law is failing animals when NSW’s animal welfare legislation is framed to view animals as a kind of property, failing to recognise the agency or capacity for emotions and awareness that animals have? My Bill will correct this major omission and lay the foundation upon which we can build better animal welfare standards in this state.”
 Huge thanks to Abigail Boyd and the NSW Greens for this important step towards creating a better world for all animals. Governments at all levels have for too long not only disregarded the sentience of animals, but have supported, defended and benefited from their abuse and exploitation. Their strong backing of the horse racing industry and refusal to implement any desperately needed legislative changes is a clear example of this.
 

ENJOY A DROP?    
Whatever your tipple, here is a list of the booze brands who have sponsored horse racing over the past few months across the country. Only some are featured in the below graphic.

Take your business elsewhere and add your name to our letter to ensure they know about it here.

Beer
Furphy Beer, James Squire, Coopers, Carlton & United Breweries, Guiness, Heineken Australia, Hahn Beer, Swan Draught, Emu Export, Iron Jack Australian Lagers, Great Northern Brewing Company, Byron Bay Brewery, Cascade Brewery, Tooheys

Wine
Seppelt Wines, Champagne MUMM, Debortoli Wines, Penfolds, Paxton Wines, DiGiorgio Family Wines, Leconfield Wines, Mr. Riggs Wine Co., Fox Creek Wines, Zonte’s Footstep, Barossa Wine Cartel, Belvidere Winery, Devil’s Lair, Orbis Wines, Brown Brothers Winery, Angove Family Winemakers, Chandon Australia, Moët & Chandon, Petaluma Wine, Buller Wines, Bleasdale Vineyards, Hungerford Hill Wines, Bremerton Wines, Lake Breeze Wines, Taylors Wines, Oatley Fine Wine Merchants, Jackrabbit Vineyard

Spirits
Maker’s Mark, Canadian Club, Suntory ROKU GIN, White Claw Hard Seltzer

Mixers
Schweppes

SAVE THE DATES – ADELAIDE CUP, JUMPS, ALL STAR MILE AND MORE..  
CPR will be protesting across Australia and New Zealand throughout the year. Some dates are confirmed with plenty more to come. 

Adelaide Cup – CPR is joining forces with Animal Justice Party South Australia and Animal Liberation SA to say Nup to the Adelaide Cup. Morphettville Racecourse SA – Monday 14 March 9:30am

All Star Mile – The All Star Mile is sponsored by Seppelt Wines. We will use this opportunity to encourage the public to boycott their products as we call them out for attempting to profit off the back of blatant animal cruelty. Flemington Racecourse VIC – Saturday 19 March 11:30am

The Championships – Joining AJP NSW, Animal Liberation and Sydney Animal Save, we will have a strong presence outside Royal Randwick. Saturday 9 April 10:30am

Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase – Thursday 5 May, time tbc

Ballarat Grand National – Sunday 28 August, time tbc

For more details keep an eye on our Facebook events page here or our website here.

See you there!

AND THAT’S A WRAP 

But before we run, here is a promising article that appeared in a travel publication titled ‘THE TENNIS IS THE NEW RACES’

“Once upon a time, the Spring Racing Carnival was *the* social sporting event to attend in Melbourne. But the tide has turned.”
Ain’t that the truth!

For the list of just some of the great reasons why it’s a much better day out when you hit the courts not the track (with a splash of good humour) read the article here.

Thank you for reading and remember… speak up, always! 

Huge thanks to CPR New Zealand for protesting outside the recent Wellington Cup

CPR relies 100% on donations to fund our investigations and campaigns. Without the generosity of our supporters we would not exist. Thank you to all of our supporters who have donated recently. It is much appreciated and allows us to continue working toward justice for horses.  Click here to donate

Every couple of weeks across the eastern states there is at least one horse sale, whether it be online or at sale yards. Sales where vendors have no idea who is buying their horse or what sort of life their horse will have. Vendors who sell to whoever has the highest bid, the money more important than the future of their horse. Some sellers care enough to at least put a reserve on their horse – potentially keeping them out of the hands of kill buyers (for now at least) some don’t.

The horses listed are often thoroughbreds – horses that were bred only to make money. History proves that once thoroughbreds are no longer “earning their keep” most are discarded at sales or straight to dealers or doggers. Some get lucky and go on to have happy lives with people who value them for who they are, not what they can provide. Many don’t. With the racing industry breeding around 13,000 thoroughbreds every year there is just not enough homes for them all. A recent online sale, where most thoroughbreds did not sell, (many not coming close to their reserve), further proves this.

The sale had sixteen thoroughbreds listed, only three of whom sold. Two of those didn’t have a reserve – one of them was raced until he was nine years old, had won over $66,000 and all he was worth to someone was $445, the other unreserved horse hadn’t raced at all, obviously deemed not good enough. Two of the thoroughbred mares that were listed had the comment “last chance to find a person of her own”. They did have reserves which were not met so what is their future now that their “last chance” has been and gone? Five of those sixteen horses had been listed in previous sales, which is a common occurrence, listed over and over as their reserves get less or they end up unreserved and sold to anyone. One horse was withdrawn, his sale photos so horrific that his breeder bought him back, presumably to save face. Yet it still remains unclear what his future holds.

An unraced filly born in 2018, referred to as Dixie (with no registered racing name) was among those ‘passed in’. Coincidentally, her mother Appleholic was at the Echuca sales two years earlier, almost to the day. She was so emaciated that the RSPCA stepped in to ensure she not be purchased by anyone that would lead to her enduring the long trip to Meramist Slaughterhouse, Queensland in such condition. Appleholic gave birth to seven foals over the eleven years she was used for industry breeding, her final being Dixie, before being dumped at the sales sickly thin. She sold for $700 to an unknown buyer.

Her three year old filly Dixie didn’t reach half the reserve placed on her – her fate remains unknown.

At a saleyard last year, a group of unnamed thoroughbreds were destined for slaughter until members of the public bought them from the dogger, lining his pockets in the process. Those horses weren’t even in the sale to have a chance at finding a home, they were in a holding yard already wearing their death tags. Why were they bred? They were living proof of the consequences of overbreeding.

The racing industry is well aware that thoroughbreds showing up at sales, knackeries and slaughterhouses is a bad look, so are pulling out all stops to prevent that from happening. Sadly that does not mean pushing for national traceability, a ban on horse slaughter, reducing breeding or adequately funding life-long care. It means introducing ‘on-farm euthanasia’ programs, where owners and trainers are encouraged to kill their unwanted horses on-farm, after a token rehoming attempt is made. The industry will even cover the expense of the body disposal.

All horses should be valued and have good lives. We focus on racehorses because they are bred for one reason and one reason only, money. The average time a horse is used for racing is less than three years, whilst the life span for a horse is twenty-five years or more. If the owners of these horses loved them as much as they profess to, they would make sure that their futures were protected for life, that they would never end up in a sale or in a doggers yard, it’s that simple.

The racing industry continues to breed 13,000 horses a year knowing the vast majority of participants no longer have an interest in keeping them once they can no longer race them – and that’s if they make it to the track at all.

The racing industry just doesn’t add up. It never will.

Racing NSW stewards have found trainer Joanne Hardy guilty of actions which likely led to the death of three year old gelding, Happy Winner.

Happy Winner suffered an injury to his off fore superficial digital flexor tendon and required a recovery period and rehabilitation program. Ms Hardy failed to disclose this information both when advertising him for sale and to the subsequent buyer – another industry trainer Brett Robb. Mr Robb put Happy Winner into a “work program” that was contrary to the recovery period and/or rehabilitation program he required before he suffered a catastrophic injury to both fore superficial digital flexor tendons and was euthanased.

Ms Hardy paid $15,000 for Happy Winner in March 2021. By April she was aware of the injury and by June he was listed for sale. She never made a cent from him before he was injured and presumably wanted to recuperate her costs. Happy Winner was treated more like a used car than a living being, which should never surprise in an industry that uses animals for profits.

Joanne Hardy has been suspended for eight months for her actions, plus an additional two months for providing misleading evidence to stewards.

Full report available here.