RA chief rubbishes claims by animal welfare group that thousands of thoroughbreds are put down each year

RACING Australia has hit back at claims from an animal welfare group that thousands of thoroughbreds are put down each year because they are uncompetitive.

politician Peter McGauran leaving the National Party meeting in Sydney 31 Jan 2006.

RACING Australia has got straight onto the front foot to defend claims from an animal welfare group that thousands of thoroughbreds are put down each year because they are uncompetitive.

In the wake of the Baird Government’s decision to shut down greyhound racing on animal cruelty grounds, the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses has now called for an inquiry into the horse racing industry.

“Take away the live-baiting and horse racing has exactly the same animal welfare issues greyhound racing has,’’ CPR campaign director Elio Celotto said.

“It’s time for governments in each state to take affirmative action because, like greyhound racing, they’ve shown themselves incapable of self-regulation.’’

Protester Elio Celotto is escorted off the Sandown course by police.

But Racing Australia chief executive Peter McGauran bristled at the suggestion the thoroughbred industry does not have the ability monitor or control the rehabilitation and relocation of retired racehorses.

McGauran also disputed CPR claims that “10,000 racehorses are retired each year but there are no way to track what happens to them.’’

“The claim that racing authorities are inactive on welfare issues is not supported by the facts,’’ McGauran said.

“Racing introduced a rule two years ago compelling owners/trainers to notify Racing Australia of the fate of their retired racehorses.

Racing Australia is under pressure after the blanket greyhound ban in NSW. Pictures: Jack Tran

“The result is that 90% of horses are retired to the breeding, equestrian or recreational sectors, 5.5% die naturally, 3.5% are humanely euthanized, 0.5% are sent to an abattoir and 1% are unaccounted for.

“Racing Australia will release new rules this week which brings all thoroughbreds from birth as well as their owners under the Australian Rules of Racing.

“Previously only horses registered as racehorses at two years of age came under the rules. Traceability is the cornerstone of integrity and animal welfare.”

This Racing Australia policy is in keeping with a recommendation made by former High Court judge Michael McHugh in his report from the Special Commission of Inquiry into Greyhound Racing which suggested monitoring the entire life of a greyhound as an alternative to closing down the sport.

Racing Australia chief Peter McGauran.

NSW opposition leader Luke Foley has also drawn parallels between the two industries while calling for greyhound racing to be allowed to remain in the state.

“I think the brutal truth ... when it comes to so-called wastage is if that is the catalyst to close down greyhound racing, we would also have to close down thoroughbred horseracing and close down the beef industry,” Mr Foley told ABC Radio.

“Wastage does occur. Is it repulsive? Yes it is. Should we do something about it? Yes we should and I think (Commissioner) McHugh provides as an alternative to declaring the industry illegal a road map that would involve far more monitoring and reportage on the life cycle of greyhounds.”

Originally published as RA chief rubbishes claims by animal welfare group that thousands of thoroughbreds are put down each year