Owners react in horror after violent protests result in horse death

Owners with horses hurt in the riots at Fairview in South Africa on Thursday have described the chaotic and deadly scenes that broke out after a group of 200 people rampaged through the racecourse stables.

Michael de Haast, manager of the International Racing Club, said horses were chased with sticks and pangas, a type of machete knife, while another leading owner, Hedley McGrath, described the actions as "barbaric".

Several horses were injured and one, Mark The Doorman, was killed after they were let out of their stables near Port Elizabeth before being pursued by rioters, who were believed to be disgruntled former stable staff and other locals.

It had been claimed initially that Mark The Doorman had been stabbed but a spokesman for Phumelela, which operates Fairview, said the horse had stumbled over a fence and broken his neck in the chaos.

The Racing Post has seen graphic photos of the injuries sustained by the horses, including slashes to their sides, cuts to their flanks and gashes above their eyes. We have chosen not to publish these images due to their sensitive nature.

Violent protests ends in tragedy at Fairview as loose horse suffers fatal injury

De Haast, whose syndicates mostly consist of British and Irish owners, said six horses had initially been released and that a further stable was opened after police had arrived to quell the outbreak.

"It was a real mob," he said. "After the police arrived the people were dispersed before they broke into another barn and released a further 28 horses. They chased them with sticks, stones, bricks and pangas.

"These horses were so scared that they broke through the gates to get out of the barns to escape. The rest of the group had already cut through the fences around the stables so the horses could get out and run wild. It was absolute carnage after that.

"We were finding horses on the National highway five or six kilometres away several hours after it had all happened. People were chasing after them with sticks and causing a lot of damage to these horses."

The riot, which was eventually calmed by police using rubber bullets and stun grenades, is believed to be related to the sacking of a groom in February after a horse was reportedly stabbed in the neck, a scenario disputed by the workers.

The local labour department ruled on Wednesday that the former stable employees were unable to claim unemployment benefit as they had absconded from work following the sacking of their fellow groom.

Hedley McGrath, the owner of Dippin Blu Racing, was distraught at the consequences of the riots. He told timeslive.co.za: "This is the worst day of my life. What they have done to my horses is barbaric and no human being can do that to animals.

"They stabbed and stoned my horses. One is dead and 29 are injured and traumatised. The vet will determine later the extent of injuries."

The injured horses were being treated by the Anti Animal Cruelty League in Port Elizabeth according to police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu, who said a 49-year-old had been arrested.

She said: "A mob of about 150-200 protesters from the Fairview Informal settlement stormed onto the property of Fairview stables and freed about 28 horses. The horses were freed and were forced out of the property by assaulting them.

"They were reported to be running in all directions with their abusers taunting them with sticks and stones. One horse was found dead about a kilometre away in an opening near the houses.

"All the horses have been accounted for and the injured horses are receiving treatment by the Port Elizabeth Anti Animal Cruelty. At this stage the exact reason for the protest and subsequent death, injury and release of the horses is not known."

She added: "A case of malicious injury to property is opened and under investigation. Additional charges may be added."

Join Members' Club Ultimate and read tipping from the likes of Pricewise and Paul Kealy, all the big interviews and features, daily comment and news analysis - plus our Ultimate Daily newsletter. Click here to sign up.