There has been no let-up for the equestrian community in the past few months, with one devastating blow following another. In the wake of multiple equine fatalities at the Kentucky Derby, the equestrian world now mourns another series of tragic incidents. Only this time, tragedy struck on the opposite side of the globe at a popular racecourse in Hong Kong.
The rising death toll of horses in the racecourse and in the wild has raised concerns about the safety and welfare of these magnificent animals. The incidents at Hong Kong’s Sha Tin Racecourse have again sparked the simmering embers. Let us see what happened!
Series of horse deaths at Sha Tin Racecourse
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On July 1, the Hong Kong Reunification Raceday was in full swing at the Sha Tin Racecourse. This was a major equine event endorsed and organized by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The crowds gathered were excited to see the winner of The Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup. When the race finished, all eyes were fixed on a fallen horse and not the winner. Man Light finished the race in the fourteenth position, but shortly after reaching the finishing line, it fell to the ground. As per reports from the HKJC, the horse had a massive heart attack, and the attending vet could not save it. Just five days later, two more horses died on the same racecourse, indicating a pattern.
One horse named “Baby” died in similar circumstances as Man Light. The other horse, called “Happy Gathering,” was euthanized after it broke its leg in a stumble. The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s press report was reported by HKALPO, which read, “The incidents involving three horses were rare and unusual“. But the equestrian community was quick to point out that this was not true. Previously, the racecourse had seen many more equine fatalities and severe injuries. They cited the example of two horses dying at the Group One Hong Kong Sprint in December 2021. Many animal welfare groups are trying to draw public attention to the traumatic deaths of horses on the tracks.
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Animal welfare groups advocate for equine protection
Recently, the Nevada round-up of wild stallions resulted in the death of eleven horses. These horses are earmarked for ranches and racecourses as this one. The ones who fell were the victims of the intense and often dangerous conditions during the round-up process. But the ones that survived and were caught are not so lucky either, given the sort of practices they will have to endure at the racecourses. In this regard, the British Horseracing Authority has said that racing horses have a higher chance of suffering skeletal fractures and inflammation.
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The cure administered is often simple painkillers so that the horse can continue to race and generate revenue. While there are directives on proper equine care, such as the IFHA Minimum Horse Welfare Standards, most racecourses do not follow them. It is important that the Government outlaw horse racing to save these creatures from a sad fate. Singapore has taken the first step and banned horse racing in the country. The question remains: will the Hong Kong government follow in the footsteps of Singapore in banning horse racing? The fate of these magnificent animals lies in the balance.
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