download report (pdf) - Race Horse Death Watch

desperate race for the trainer’s title back in 2005,Commercial Flyer, then aged six, was forced to racein five events in just 12 days, three of which tookplace over three days – a likely record work rate fora jumping horse. For those final five events, he wascarted more than 1,000 miles, with long hours inthe horsebox. He was transported from Exeter,England’s most southern course, to Perth, themost northerly course in Scotland, and then downto Sandown, near London. Commercial Flyer gavehis all during those twelve days, winning four of hisfive races. However, after those exploits, he rarelycompleted a race. Eventually, he was dropped byhis leading trainer and wealthy owner and passedto a stable for whom he raced twice. CommercialFlyer perished in a three-mile chase on testing softground, at Ayr, in March 2009. He had almoststopped six fences from the end but continuedand, two fences later, fell and was destroyed.According to the Racing Post’s ‘race-reader’: ‘Onlyfour horses faced the starter but there was noshortage of mishaps and incidents.’Deserted DaneA fashionably bred colt from the USA, DesertedDane was sold at bloodstock sales in Ireland at 18months old, and then sold on again in England sixmonths later. From his new base in Yorkshire, heshowed some promise on the racecourse – somuch so, that he was flown out to race in Dubaifor a two-month period. Returning to England, heraced consistently around northern tracks pickingup small amounts of prize-money. Then, atCatterick Bridge racecourse in the height ofsummer, he died in a starting stall incident, similarto that which cost the lives of three other horsesduring the season. Many horses are reluctant toenter the confined area of a starting stall. PuttingA horse panicking in the stalls –on her knees and trying to get outMany ‘failed’ racehorsesare slaughtereda blindfold hood over the head is a commonly usedtactic to trick a horse into the stall. Often this willbe combined with lots of pushing from behind toforce the reluctant animal forward. Once in thestalls, worried horses frequently rear up. Some godown on their knees. A frightened Deserted Danereared as the stall doors opened, and he sustaineda fatal injury. He was just four years old.ConclusionA toll of 178 deaths in one year on Britishracecourses should ring alarm bells for anyoneconcerned with the welfare of animals. Most ofall, the carnage should finally rouse to action theBritish Horseracing Authority, whose regulatoryobligations includes protecting from harmthe most important asset upon which themulti-billion pound racing industry depends:the Thoroughbred horse.Deaths on racecourses have a number of causes. Inpart, they are due to the physiology of selectivelybred modern race horses and the physicaldemands made upon them. They have been bredfor speed at the cost of skeletal strength, generalrobustness and the often-problematic heart andcardiovascular system. Other factors involveintensive training methods, whereby horses areexercised too hard, resulting in breakdowns eitheron the training gallops or on a racecourse. Thepoor schooling of horses also leads to fatalities.Their tutoring can be rushed and inadequate,making them ill-prepared for competitive racing.Many deaths also occur because of the demandingcharacteristics of racecourses themselves and6