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They’ve certainly missed a trick if they haven’t included Stephen Mahon
and Augustine Leahy
My heart sank when I heard that the programme featured Animal Aid, a fringe group of misguided lunatics whose overall aim, lest we forget, is the abolition of horse racing.
Yes, it has to be said that if horses are being systematically mistreated, all of us as racing lovers should of course be concerned and upset.
But there is an agenda here, certainly on AA’s part. This isn’t about simply highighting an issue, it’s how that issue serves their long-term goal.
I don’t think racing has always been very good at uniting behind a strong rebuttal of some of AA’s ludicrous outpourings. As previous posters have suggested, there is still the powerful whiff of the old boys’ club around the sport.
It’ll be interesting to see how the sport responds on this. But I’ll be watching through clasped fingers tonight.I will be as well Broadsword
I’m not sure Animal Aid could be described as a fringe group these days. They have a very vocal presence in both traditional and social media, and seem to be given plenty of air time and treated as an authority. I bet they are doing a very effective job at getting their message across in schools too.
I don’t agree with their agenda, but get so frustrated that racing doesn’t just fail to defend itself, but does plenty to add fuel to the fire, especially in Ireland recently.
It’s not a matter of racing defending itself; it’s how we look after retired/injured horses. A multi-billion industry should surely be able to look after these vulnerable animals, rather than rely on the admirable but piecemeal efforts of a few charities
That’s a fair point, Marlingford. I’d be very interested to know how many actual members or followers AA has – but they are very adept at getting their message heard and are, as you say, treated as an authority. And yes, our beloved sport really does not help itself very much on that score.
Befair, anyone who has read my previous posts will know I think there is a huge amount still to be done re racehorse welfare. But if racing is to survive it needs to make sure it is both applying good practice and publicising this far and wide. Otherwise those with an anti-racing agenda, who seem to be much better at media strategy, will ultimately get their way.
Well of course B****** B****** C**** making program regarding Horse Racing, is it because the majority of people in the sport are White. Only a matter of time before ITV Racing has a new presenter in full Hijab, and to be honest, anyone can better the Muppets we have.
From what I am hearing, for once someone might have even more to worry about than the BHA.
This is not going to be a good night for HRI or anyone who can provide a ready answer to that eternal conundrum: “Who Ate All The Pies?” while, err, being photographed sat on a dead horse.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Oops sorry, just saw it mentioned on the other thread. Oh well, it can never be pointed out enough..
Agree with Tonge re Leahy and not just him as on one HRI list dated 26/11/2020 Noel Meade registered 5 dead horses from his yard, obviously a blind eye turned by HRI as to why so many.
So many horses just disappearing off the radar for no reason other than they are not winning races for their syndicates one mentioned was just 2 years old….
Ardfert registered as dead on 5th November 2020 HRI List trained by Leahy.If this Panorama investigation does nothing else I hope it forces the HRI to take action against these unscrupulous trainers and to investigate any horse listed that did not die on a racetrack to ascertain when and how it died.
This is disgraceful treatment of a beautiful creature that has given so much throughout history for mankind.
They deserve so much better than ending up with some fat arse trainer straddling their lifeless body.Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Even if the BHA are doing a better job than HRI on this topic (and it’s only relative), they have just as much to be concerned about by this documentary.
This topic needs a joined-up approach from the racing authorities as it is the wider sport itself that will always be tarnished rather than particular racing jurisdictions.
I didn’t – and wouldn’t – go as far as to say the BHA are doing a “better job.”
At best, maybe there are fewer atrocities being committed on their “manor,” that’s all.
A “joined-up approach” is 1000 at Betfair and no takers – the two countries can’t even organise starting races (which punters in both countries watch) at sensible intervals.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Three of them had been trained by Gordon Elliott at his state-of-the-art stables in County Meath, Ireland.
He told Panorama none of the three animals were sent to the abattoir by him.
The horses had retired from racing due to injury, he said, and were not under his care when they were killed.
Elliott said two of the horses were sent to a horse dealer “to be rehomed if possible, and if not, to be humanely euthanised” in line with the regulations.
He said he gave the third horse to another rider as requested by its owner.
And he said the first time he learned of their fate was when Panorama contacted him.
What a load of nonsense. Dealers do not “rehome” horses, they sell them. That is the point of being a dealer. You cannot bury racehorses and it costs money for a fallen stock company to take them if euthanased (don’t know about horse prices but >£100 for adult cow, and that’s if you’re a member paying an annual sub to the fallen stock company). Hunt kennels can’t take horses euthanased by injection only shot and even then there is a limit to what they can take. Why would a dealer pay for deadstock collection (and vet to euthanase – another £100 probably- if not getting shot by kennelman) for rendering if they can get paid meat money for a live animal?
Of course he didn’t know their fate. “Here Billy Joe, take these off my hands, I don’t wanna know just make them go away”. And of course he won’t be the only one. I’ve slagged Leahy enough on here but maybe he is actually doing things directly which is better than the horse going to a dealer, then slaughter, as one less trip and less hanging around in an unfamiliar environment for the horse. It “looks” better for the original owner/trainer as they can just deny all knowledge even though they know right well what is likely to happen.
I do suspect Elliott is being singled out unfairly in this instance, but he has made himself a very convenient target and I can’t say I have too much sympathy.
BUY THE SUN
I bet Cheveley Park are watching this chomping at the bit to get some more NH horses in training in Ireland.
BUY THE SUN
Unfortunately for the HRI in particular, and BHA, IMO Panorama seemed to ask legitimate questions, particularly about how a horse who won £175,000 can meet that fate.
Not exactly the sort of free advertising Betfair would want either.
Not the best night for racing tbh IMO.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"
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