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| Melbourne Cup: horse racing without death is an impossibility | Melbourne Cup: horse racing without death is an impossibility |
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| Melbourne Cup day at Flemington racecourse is all about life and the pleasures it has to offer: good food, good drink, lively company, smart attire and a bet or two. It’s midweek hedonism and for the most part good, clean fun; most of the throng who went to the races on Tuesday will return home on good terms with themselves, maybe a dollar or two lighter in the pocket, but satisfied all the same. | Melbourne Cup day at Flemington racecourse is all about life and the pleasures it has to offer: good food, good drink, lively company, smart attire and a bet or two. It’s midweek hedonism and for the most part good, clean fun; most of the throng who went to the races on Tuesday will return home on good terms with themselves, maybe a dollar or two lighter in the pocket, but satisfied all the same. |
| But one animal that made the trip to Flemington on Tuesday won’t be returning home at all. Admire Rakti, the Japanese horse that started as favourite in the cup but finished last, died in his stall after collapsing following the conclusion of the race. The death followed Verema’s passing in the 2013 Melbourne Cup – the French mare was euthanised after breaking a leg during the race – and brought back memories of another famous fatality in Australia’s greatest race, the champion Dulcify who lost his life after breaking down in the 1979 renewal. | But one animal that made the trip to Flemington on Tuesday won’t be returning home at all. Admire Rakti, the Japanese horse that started as favourite in the cup but finished last, died in his stall after collapsing following the conclusion of the race. The death followed Verema’s passing in the 2013 Melbourne Cup – the French mare was euthanised after breaking a leg during the race – and brought back memories of another famous fatality in Australia’s greatest race, the champion Dulcify who lost his life after breaking down in the 1979 renewal. |
| Racing Victoria will conduct a full investigation into the circumstances of Admire Rakti’s death, the results of which will become known in the coming days. But the tragic event has opened old wounds for those who object to horse racing, and thrust the viability of the sport into the spotlight on its biggest day. | |
| Social media, as one would expect, went into meltdown after Admire Rakti’s death was confirmed. One tweeter claimed Admire Rakti “was one of the lucky, gifted, cosseted ones. Think of the tens of thousands killed each year who don’t make the grade”. The racing industry is used to such censure and the defence was immediate. The racing journalist Lee Mottershead tweeted, “The death of Japanese hero Admire Rakti is desperately upsetting news that some extremists will no doubt seek to exploit. Unfairly so”. | Social media, as one would expect, went into meltdown after Admire Rakti’s death was confirmed. One tweeter claimed Admire Rakti “was one of the lucky, gifted, cosseted ones. Think of the tens of thousands killed each year who don’t make the grade”. The racing industry is used to such censure and the defence was immediate. The racing journalist Lee Mottershead tweeted, “The death of Japanese hero Admire Rakti is desperately upsetting news that some extremists will no doubt seek to exploit. Unfairly so”. |
| The death of Japanese hero Admire Rakti is desperately upsetting news that some extremists will no doubt seek to exploit. Unfairly so. | The death of Japanese hero Admire Rakti is desperately upsetting news that some extremists will no doubt seek to exploit. Unfairly so. |
| The assertion that horse racing is cruel is not new, and doesn’t need a death in a high-profile race to bolster its argument. Though it certainly does help. Admire Rakti’s passing is grist for the mill of the anti-racing faction. Even an accident after the race which fractured the fetlock of another contender, Araldo, will be followed by a ‘please explain’ from racing’s critics. | The assertion that horse racing is cruel is not new, and doesn’t need a death in a high-profile race to bolster its argument. Though it certainly does help. Admire Rakti’s passing is grist for the mill of the anti-racing faction. Even an accident after the race which fractured the fetlock of another contender, Araldo, will be followed by a ‘please explain’ from racing’s critics. |
| Animal rights group Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses fired a shot across the bow at the start of the spring carnival with a graphic billboard in Melbourne depicting a dead horse that asked the question, “Is the party really worth it?”. The group claims that upwards of 13,000 racing thoroughbreds lose their lives each year, a portion of them young and healthy, but slow. It’s a number hotly contested by racing officials, with Racing Victoria stating that more than 90% of horses that exit the racing industry find homes elsewhere. | Animal rights group Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses fired a shot across the bow at the start of the spring carnival with a graphic billboard in Melbourne depicting a dead horse that asked the question, “Is the party really worth it?”. The group claims that upwards of 13,000 racing thoroughbreds lose their lives each year, a portion of them young and healthy, but slow. It’s a number hotly contested by racing officials, with Racing Victoria stating that more than 90% of horses that exit the racing industry find homes elsewhere. |
| Jumps racing, which in Australia takes place only in Victoria and South Australia, has long been the target of the RSPCA. Its desire to outlaw racing over the sticks almost came good when Racing Victoria announced plans to do away with it in 2009. | Jumps racing, which in Australia takes place only in Victoria and South Australia, has long been the target of the RSPCA. Its desire to outlaw racing over the sticks almost came good when Racing Victoria announced plans to do away with it in 2009. |
| The ruling body performed a U-turn, instead working with the RSPCA to devise a number of modifications to make the sport safer. The moves worked in a sense, with the number of fatalities dropping in the past couple of years. But deaths still happen. Earlier this year, the RSPCA said this after a horse died at Melbourne’s Sandown racecourse: “It is deeply disappointing that year after year, we have seen horses maimed and killed for the benefit of a handful of spectators and bookmakers.” | The ruling body performed a U-turn, instead working with the RSPCA to devise a number of modifications to make the sport safer. The moves worked in a sense, with the number of fatalities dropping in the past couple of years. But deaths still happen. Earlier this year, the RSPCA said this after a horse died at Melbourne’s Sandown racecourse: “It is deeply disappointing that year after year, we have seen horses maimed and killed for the benefit of a handful of spectators and bookmakers.” |
| The racing industry always protests, and angrily so, when it faces criticism over the way its racing animals are treated. Along with the improvements to jumps racing, the industry has made great strides at making racing safer for its most important participants. These include tighter whip rules, safer running rails and strict welfare practices that encompass a horse’s life at home and its fitness to compete on raceday. | The racing industry always protests, and angrily so, when it faces criticism over the way its racing animals are treated. Along with the improvements to jumps racing, the industry has made great strides at making racing safer for its most important participants. These include tighter whip rules, safer running rails and strict welfare practices that encompass a horse’s life at home and its fitness to compete on raceday. |
| Owners are also required to notify authorities after a horse is retired, stating why it has been retired and what will become of the horse. Racing Victoria’s Off The Track program aims to “facilitate the placement of retired thoroughbred racehorses in second careers by promoting the many re-trainers across the state, and educating the community about the various life after racing options, versatility of use, and the appropriate care and retraining of the thoroughbred”. | Owners are also required to notify authorities after a horse is retired, stating why it has been retired and what will become of the horse. Racing Victoria’s Off The Track program aims to “facilitate the placement of retired thoroughbred racehorses in second careers by promoting the many re-trainers across the state, and educating the community about the various life after racing options, versatility of use, and the appropriate care and retraining of the thoroughbred”. |
| These are commendable measures, but one thing you cannot eradicate in horse racing is equine fatalities. You can limit them, and it’s racing’s responsibility to do this, but racing without death is an impossibility, just as it is with air travel and crossing the road. It was reported that Racing Victoria’s head veterinarian, Dr Brian Stewart, said Admire Rakti’s death was sudden, and that only 0.007% of racing thoroughbreds perish in such a way. In short, nothing could be done to avoid it. | These are commendable measures, but one thing you cannot eradicate in horse racing is equine fatalities. You can limit them, and it’s racing’s responsibility to do this, but racing without death is an impossibility, just as it is with air travel and crossing the road. It was reported that Racing Victoria’s head veterinarian, Dr Brian Stewart, said Admire Rakti’s death was sudden, and that only 0.007% of racing thoroughbreds perish in such a way. In short, nothing could be done to avoid it. |
| It is true that racing itself could do no more to ensure the horse’s welfare. Except not conduct horse racing. And that is where the disconnect between racing and its detractors will always exist. Those who despise horse racing and all it stands for will only be happy when horse racing no longer exists. But that, for at least the lifespan of every person on this planet, will not happen. | It is true that racing itself could do no more to ensure the horse’s welfare. Except not conduct horse racing. And that is where the disconnect between racing and its detractors will always exist. Those who despise horse racing and all it stands for will only be happy when horse racing no longer exists. But that, for at least the lifespan of every person on this planet, will not happen. |