Horse Welfare

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https://www.theage.com.au/sport/racing/slaughter-scandal-sparks-call-for-new-racehorse-welfare-regulator-20211127-p59cow.html

The Age has the above article about a report commissioned by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia which calls for a new national body which they propose should be Thoroughbred Welfare Australia

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PP's take on the Premier's Cup at Eagle Farm yesterday

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I have never been anti Jumps racing, I have had concerns, one of them being the ridiculous distances they are often expected to race over - as tired horses make mistakes. Overall the modifications and strict scrutiny have made jumps racing acceptable
BUT watching the R1 maiden hurdle at Hamilton today, I was ashamed of the family name (not that I imagine he is a relative)

Watch the replay if one becomes available and see how buggered the fifth horse is after crashing the second last jump
What was Richard O'Donoghue thinking when instead of pulling it up, he produced the whip to get it to tackle the last - we don't quite see in the video, the results of his action but if like me you were certain this horse could not get over another hurdle then your fears were justified

I hope both rider and horse are OK (caller suggested as much) but I cannot help but think Richard deserved a bit of pain, from now on he is known as Dick Oh!

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https://www.racing.com/form/2022-05-31/hamilton/race/1

I just watched the Stewards vision, I greatly fear that Dick Oh! is guilty of the manslaughter of Zoffany Rocket

#$%^@! Idiot - I am furious

(I hope I am wrong)

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Zoffany Rocket Jumped the 3rd obstacle awkwardly. Jumped the 9th obstacle awkwardly and blundered. Made a faulty jump at the last obstacle and fell. When questioned regarding his riding in the home straight, rider Richard O'Donoghue explained that despite jumping the 9th obstacle awkwardly, he felt his mount was still travelling well enough, in contention and he was satisfied that the horse was in a position to negotiate the last obstacle safely. He conceded in hindsight he would have been better placed retiring his mount before the final obstacle. His comments were noted. Richard O'Donoghue was examined by the RV Medical Staff and deemed fit to fulfil his remaining engagements. A post‑race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. A veterinary clearance will be required prior to racing again. The incident will be referred to the Jumps Review Panel.

https://www.racing.com/form/2022-05-31/hamilton#/stewards-report

No mention of whether the horse survived but I guess they would have mentioned if a horse had been euthanized. The following also from the Stewards Report sound hopeful

ps If you are ever wondering how to find Vic gallops Stewards Reports it is as tricky at HRV (HRA is the best way). You have to go to racingvictoria.com.au, Click on Integrity, Click on Stewards, Click on Stewards Reports

[KTQ]

I cant stand hurdles. Too many break their legs

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I cannot see the MASSIVE thoroughbred industry in this country being under threat but the latest harnessracingupdate from the USA makes interesting reading

"We want to think the thoroughbred racing issues are not our business. The neighbors on the other side of the fence are in a jam and going through some rocky days. If the folks on the other end of my text messages are any indication, this difference does not play well with the average population. If these thoroughbred horse deaths are the prod for action on any level, the specific type of racehorse will not matter. The public will see three words: horses, racing and death."

https://harnessracingupdate.com/2023/06/25/like-it-or-not-all-types-of-racing-horses-are-lumped-together/

Until I read the entire article and did a little research, I had no idea that there is only 2 active greyhound tracks in the whole of the USA nowadays