Posted on the 29th November 2016
Within days of Animal Aid’s protest against horse deaths at Southwell Racecourse, another horse has fallen victim to one of the country’s most lethal racecourses.
Nine-year-old mare, Ballydague Lady, broke down and was fatally injured in the first race of the day at the Nottinghamshire course. Ballydague Lady is the 71st horse death to be recorded at Southwell Racecourse since Animal Aid launched its online database, Race Horse Deathwatch, in 2007.
After three inspections of the racecourse due to severe weather (frost in the ground), Southwell Racecourse officials decided that it was safe to race. But it seems that the ground conditions were far from perfect, and may have contributed to today’s fatality.
Says Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Consultant, Dene Stansall:
‘The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) claim that horse welfare is their priority. But today’s death at Southwell makes a mockery of its welfare standards. After a severe frost in the ground, racing should not have taken place. But the financial implications appear to be more important than racehorses’ welfare. The BHA’s role yet again comes into question – Animal Aid believe they are not fit for purpose.’
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