Horse racing – the first victims of 2019

Posted on the 2nd January 2019

Horse racing has claimed its first victims of 2019 at Hereford Racecourse (2 January) where two horses were killed in the same race.

Six-year-old mare, Georgina Joy, and seven-year-old gelding, Black Jack Jaxon, both lost their lives in the 1.20pm Handicap Chase. Georgina Joy broke her left-foreleg when jumping the second fence of the race, having come into contact with the obstacle. Minutes later, Black Jack Jaxon was seen to stumble but continue to race on. It later emerged that he, too, had been destroyed due to a racing injury.

Says Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Consultant, Dene Stansall:

‘It appears to be business as usual at the start of the New Year with race horse deaths already on record. Last year saw a sharp rise in fatalities and, sadly, 2019 has started badly. Animal Aid is campaigning to remove the current horse welfare regulator, the British Horseracing Authority, because it is failing to stem the tide of deaths on racecourses. Animal Aid is also committed ending the exploitation of animals for sport.’