Australian racing chief sickened by 'horrific' treatment of ex-racehorses

Australian racing has been rocked after an investigation by television channel ABC uncovered inhumane treatment of retired racehorses.

The hour-long show reported "widespread slaughter of racehorses for pet food" at abattoirs, indicating almost 300 horses had been killed in just over three weeks at one operation in Queensland.

Footage was shown of horses being beaten and shocked with electric prods. The Queensland government on Friday took action with biosecurity officers attending the abattoir to investigate animal cruelty allegations.

Barry O’Farrell, chief executive of the national racing authority Racing Australia, said prosecutions “should and I suspect will occur” following the broadcast on the free-to-air channel on Thursday night, while Giles Thompson, chief executive for Racing Victoria, the governing body that runs the Melbourne Cup, said he was "sickened" by the "horrific images".

O’Farrell added: "State racing officials are doing everything they can to ensure the sport of racing thrives and flourishes, but also that responsibility for equine welfare is as high as possible within their jurisdictions. Of course we condemn what we saw."

Hall of Fame trainer Lee Freedman said he was "broken hearted" by the report and warned that the sport had to reform. "If we don't make real changes the court of public opinion will bury racing," he said.

Leading trainer Chris Waller, who masterfully handled Winx's career, also shared his shock following the report.

Speaking to local radio, he said: "It was a shock to me, to tell you the truth. A huge majority are trying to be pro-active in these modern times. We are fully aware of animal welfare and we are probably the biggest animal lovers of all. To see a few people letting the industry down, it’s pretty damning.

"Whether it’s directly or not, we still need to be responsible for it and we’ve got to be accountable as to every horse that leaves our stable and obviously there's a gap that need looking at."

Racing Victoria claimed the system to track retired horses is failing following the harrowing revelations.

Victoria's governing body runs an independent Off The Track initiative that promotes a network of 50 retrainers of racehorses to support the rehoming efforts of owners and trainers.

Thompson, Racing Victoria's chief executive, said: “We were sickened by the horrific images that we saw. Abattoirs and knackeries are regulated by state governments and we expect those authorities to ensure animal welfare standards are maintained and compliance is strictly enforced. We expect anyone breaching those laws to be prosecuted.

“Equine welfare is a non-negotiable for the Australian racing industry and the goal of ensuring a home for every healthy thoroughbred as it exits the racing industry must remain a priority for all.

“This is of course a matter of national concern and not just restricted to thoroughbreds."

Thompson backed Racing Australia's proposal for a 'national traceability register' in order to provide federal or state animal welfare authorities access to location and information about racehorses that have changed ownership or location since retirement.

He said: "We have been calling for a better system to track the movement of horses once they have left the racing industry and urge the federal government’s senate standing committee to expedite its deliberations and pave the way for the urgent introduction of a national horse traceability register.”

Racing New South Wales chief executive Peter V’Landys joined the condemnation of the behaviour uncovered by the programme, but also suggested it painted an unfair representation of the sport just two days before one of the biggest racedays of the year with The Everest and Caulfield Cup on Saturday.

One per cent of prize-money in the state goes to an Equine Welfare Fund, while V'Landys revealed A$2.5m (£1.33m/€1.53m) is spent by Racing NSW on rehoming racehorses each year.

V’Landys said: “The footage of what was going on in the abattoir in Queensland was sickening and disturbing and I hope the perpetrators are brought to account.

"However, to take one or two people doing the wrong thing to portray a whole industry like that is completely wrong and unfair."

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app