[Greens-Media] Greens say racing industry must make changes - Pennicuik

[Amanda.Sharp at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Greens say racing industry must make changes

Monday 5 November 2014 

The death of two horses Admire Rakti and Araldo after yesterday?s 
Melbourne Cup and of Verema in last year?s race has brought to public 
attention the not-so-glamorous side of horse racing, Greens spokesperson 
on animal welfare said today. 

"People across Australia and around the world have rightly been shocked 
and distressed at the footage of Admire Rakti collapsing in his stable 
after the race," Ms Pennicuik said. 

"The fact that this happened after the Melbourne Cup means it was highly 
visible, but horses are killed every week in the racing industry. 

"It is estimated that 125 horses, or around one every three days, die on 
the track or just after racing.* 

"Earlier in the day, I had heard someone on radio say that no horse had 
won the Cup for 50 years 'carrying' 58.5 kg. I was worried, not about 
whether the horse would win, but that it was too much for the horse over 
3200m," Ms Pennicuik said.

"By any measure, pushing animals to the limits of endurance for 
'excitement' and 'entertainment' and to make money for owners and 
'connections' is cruel and needs to stop. 

"It is time that the racing industry looked at changing practices that 
lead to over exerting animals such as whipping. It appears that the jockey 
who rode Admire Rakti in the Caulfield Cup was fined for over using the 
whip.

"The age at which horses start racing and what types of events they 
compete in should also be examined," Ms Pennicuik said. "It seems to me 
that racing horses that are too young is all about making money and not 
about animal welfare. 

"Thousands of horses that don't 'make it' to or on the track 'are sent to 
knackeries and abattoirs every year' (RSPCA). This could be alleviated by 
examining breeding practices and introducing open and comprehensive 
rehabilitation and retirement plan for racehorses. 

"The Greens have been campaigning for years for jumps racing, which is 
banned in all Australian states except Victoria and South Australia and is 
20 times more deadly than flat racing, to be banned once and for all ? 
there is no argument to defend its continuation," Ms Pennicuik said. 
 
"The racing industry pretty well does what it wants to as both the Liberal 
National and Labor governments have been too close to it," Ms Pennicuik 
said. "Many senior MPs enjoy free hospitality at the races which 
compromises their ability to properly regulate the industry.
 
"There are measures that can be taken to make horse racing safer and the 
racing industry should implement them instead of demonising people who 
raise legitimate criticisms of its practices," Ms Pennicuik said. 

For further comment:  Sue Pennicuik   0409 055 875

*Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses




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