TWO obscene horse names have been changed after an embarrassing U-turn by racing chiefs.
Racing Australia boss Myles Forman initially insisted punters laughing at the sexually explicit titles were just mispronouncing them.
A screenshot was shared online of both the horses’ names, leaving fans in stitches.
One was called Lovin’ Deqoque and the other Get On Deqoque.
Forman said the correct pronunciation was ‘De-quo’ – and for that reason there was nothing wrong with the names.
He said: “We contact owners when they lodge the names to make sure we know how the horse names are pronounced and what the meaning of the name is.
“And in this case it‘s De-quo.
“Look, a combination of letters and words can mean different things to different people.
“In this case we were confident it should be pronounced De-quo.
“Therefore there’s nothing here that prompts concern for Racing Australia.”
However, that claim was met with much scepticism and now Darryl Ward, who trains both horses, has been told to change their titles.
They ran under their original names at Deagon racecourse in Brisbane, Australia, last month.
But now Lovin’ Deqoque – whose mum is called Buxom Babe – has been renamed Lovin’ De Quo.
While Get On Deqoque is now known as Dublin De Quo.
Forman told 7news.com.au: “Racing Australia has now reviewed the names and irrespective of how they are intended to be pronounced is working with the owner for the names of the horses to be changed before they next race.”
Racehorse names have been the cause of much controversy lately.
A trainer in America has been banned for giving his horse a racist name as part of a feud with a black TV presenter.
And British Horseracing Authority bosses were forced to act after a runner at Wolverhampton competed under the name of a racial slur.
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