THERE are few sports in this country that have gone to the dogs quite like, well, the dogs.
Illegal greyhound racing meetings are held in China with Irish and British dogs
I used to love going for a night at Wimbledon, even though the place was crumbling, the burgers were like cardboard and the lager warm and flat.
Back in 2016 I did the dream Epsom-Wimbledon double, watching Harzand win the Derby in the day and Jaytee Jet bag the Greyhound Derby at night.
Wimbledon was absolutely heaving. Good times.
But the sport has been run into the ground, in large part thanks to a dysfunctional regulator in the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB).
On their watch, countless tracks have closed and prize-money has dropped to pitiful levels… and they’ve failed to address something even more sinister.
Dozens, if not hundreds, of British and Irish greyhounds have been exported to China, sold for a few thousand quid to breeding centres or to sustain the illegal dog racing scene.
In most cases, champion greyhounds live in primitive conditions and are used as puppy-making machines, before being sold on to the dog meat trade when they are no longer fertile or able to race.
Thanks in large part to the work of greyhound protection group CAGED, who have helped rescue several dogs from the Far East, the disturbing trade was exposed in 2016.
And in 2019, during an investigation by the Mirror, a video was even uncovered of greyhounds in China being boiled alive. Yep, you read that right.
Even after the coverage in the media several years ago and widespread outcry in both the UK and Ireland – it is still going on.
Just this week, it was revealed Fahan Rebel, the track record holder at Lifford in County Donegal, was sold off to China.
Last year, a storm erupted after Havana Class, a top-class dog who was trained in Kent, had also been shipped off to the Far East.
Rab McNair, one of the team who owned and trained him, thought he had been retired to a happy home in Northern Ireland, only to discover the "f***ing horrendous" news he is now in China.
"If there had even been the slightest suggestion that Class was going to be sold on, we would have kept him here," he said.
A major problem is the complete lack of traceability – which has been a hot topic in horse racing in recent years.
Being able to confirm the whereabouts of registered racehorses from birth to death is a cornerstone of the BHA’s welfare pledge.
It’s just as important the authorities track dogs – it shouldn’t be too hard given they’re microchipped – and ensure they’re not falling into the wrong hands once they’re ‘retired’.
It sickens me this is going on and absolutely nothing is being done to tackle it.
GBGB and the Irish Greyhound Board need to get off their arses – not one more dog should ever be allowed on a plane to China.
Bring back the OAP discount
NOW, I don’t want this to become a regular Kempton-bashing slot.
But not only has the place been left to rot, they are now turning some of their loyal customers against them.
The average Wednesday night meeting attracts a small crowd, a lot of them older people.
There was always an OAP concession on the gate, where you’d get a fiver off general admission.
But since the turn of the year they’ve scrapped it.
This has wound up a lot of the regulars, who now have to pay full price (£18 for low-grade all-weather racing…).
Racing is obsessed with attracting a ‘younger crowd’ – but a large part of our audience are older folks.
Their pound is as good as a 19-year-old’s – we need to treat them with respect.
Nasty Neil
NEIL CALLAN has wrapped up the award for Prize Plum of 2024.
Reacting to a piece in the Sunday Times, which argued Bryony Frost had been underused since the Robbie Dunne bullying saga, he posted a dumb tweet.
It said: "If this was a young male jockey being bullied, would it have the same coverage and attention? I think not."
Callan, a board member of the Professional Jockeys Association, later deleted the post.
But after a backlash, the PJA were forced to release a statement, essentially condemning his comments.
Yet he is still on the board… I wonder how female jocks feel about that?
Clearly, sexism is still alive and well in some quarters of the weighing room. How demoralising.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the age at which a horse should begin racing training?
Horses that are two years old can begin training, although they may start with basic training. This is when their bodies are mature enough to handle the stresses of the track while still being young and adaptable for the learning process. The exact timing depends on the horse’s maturity and temperament.
Is there a need for a specific shoe on a racing horse?
Racing plates are thinner and lighter than normal horseshoes. These plates reduce weight and provide traction at the racetrack. A racehorse farrier will select and fit the shoes according to each horse’s foot conformation, and the surface on which they will be racing.
How can I prepare my horse for racing?
It is important to condition a horse gradually. This includes long distance training to build stamina along with shorter workouts that increase speed. A carefully designed regimen of exercise must gradually strengthen the horse’s cardiovascular, muscular, and skeletal system. This is done to mimic the stress of racing, without injuring or overstressing it.
What’s the first step when training a racehorse?
Breaking is an important part of the initial phase of training racehorses. This involves the horse becoming accustomed carrying a bridle, saddle, and weight of a person. During early sessions, the horse must be taught to accept human contact and wear the equipment throughout his racing career.
How often should racehorses be trained?
It is important to tailor the frequency of training a racehorse according to its needs, level and schedule. In general, racehorses will have a daily exercise routine that includes walking, trotting, or cantering. This is followed by more demanding work, like galloping or breezing at least three times a weekly, to improve stamina. Rest days will allow your horse to recover, and help prevent overtraining.
Can you race a horse on any track?
While initial training on a variety tracks is possible, specific race preparation often requires facilities to simulate the conditions a horse will encounter in competition. This means that you need to have tracks that are of the correct size, with the same kind of surface your horse will be racing. This helps to condition horses and allows them to become familiar with that specific racing environment.
Statistics
- Around 80% of thoroughbred racehorses begin their racing careers by the age of two, according to industry estimates.
- Statistically, less than 1% of thoroughbred foals born each year will go on to win a stakes race.
- Gastrointestinal issues affect up to 90% of racehorses during their training, emphasizing the need for careful dietary management.
- The Injury Database from The Jockey Club reports that synthetic racing surfaces have a lower horse fatality rate than dirt tracks, with a statistically significant difference of 1.2 fatalities per thousand starts on synthetics compared to 2.0 on dirt tracks.
- The majority of racehorses in training are subject to an exercise regimen that includes being ridden six days a week.
- The average racehorse reaches its peak physical ability between the ages of four to five, with some variation based on the breed and individual development.
External Links
keeneland.com
theridinginstructor.net
horseracing.com
jockeyclub.com
bloodhorse.com
thoroughbredracing.com
How To
How To Choose the Correct Diet For a Racehorse
A racehorse’s optimal diet involves finding the right balance between grains, forage and supplements. Provide high-quality hay or pasture as the bulk of the diet to maintain gut health. Oats are a great source of energy for your workouts. Supplements containing adequate vitamins and electrolytes can help with recovery and promote overall health. Working with an equine nutritionalist, you can tailor the diet to meet the individual needs of the horse based on its workload and metabolism.
