“What better way to die for a race horse” - a callous comment from the owner of an Irish horse who suffered a heart attack and died during a race this week.
The Racing Post has reported that 9-year-old Militry Decoration “suffered a fatal heart attack and collapsed during the closing stages” of the race at Kempton racecourse in the UK on Wednesday (9 October 2024).
The horse was “slowly away” at the start of the 1.5 mile race and was “towards the rear” when he fell to the ground.
Taking to Twitter a few hours later, one of the horse’s owners, Lady Carol Rowden-Twilley had this to say: “Just got back from Kempton Park races tonight. One of my horses that I have shares in had a heart attack and died during the race. Also threw jockey. Absolutely heartbroken.” https://twitter.com/YeomansonCarol/status/1844103651687792816
The following morning, she added: “Thank you everyone for your kind words about our race horse last night, but somehow I couldn't help thinking, sweetheart, you died on the race course. What better way to die for a race horse. It was quick, painless - I hope.”
When he suffered the heart attack, the unfortunate horse was carrying jockey Callum Shepherd. He later told The Racing Post: “I’ve broken my collarbone and fractured my T3 and T6 vertebrae. They are stable and I’m quite sore, obviously.”
There was no hint of sympathy in the report for the horse who died. A horse trainer was quoted as saying: “Callum’s had an unbelievable year, an outstanding year, and it’s a real shame and frustrating for him that this has happened.”
It was Militry Decoration's 55th race. Before being exported to the UK, he was used in racing at The Curragh, Dundalk, Galway, Leopardstown and Killarney racecourses in 2017 and 2018.
He is the latest victim of horse racing. On its Race Horse Watch website, Animal Aid has documented the deaths of 2,879 horses at UK racecourses since March 2007. https://www.horsedeathwatch.com/
It has also documented the deaths of 351 horses at Irish racecourses since 2021. http://www.irishhorsedeathwatch.com/
Further to a parliamentary question from Paul Murphy TD (Solidarity-People Before Profit) to the Minister for Agriculture, Horse Racing Ireland released statistics showing that over 1,300 horses have lost their lives at racecourses and point to point races in Ireland since 2012.
Horse Racing Ireland – which has received more than €1.38 billion euros in government grants to-date – previously revealed the method of killing to be either lethal injection or a bullet in the head.
The death figures do not include the horses injured at racecourses, taken away and later killed elsewhere or the horses killed behind the scenes because they are not fast enough to win races.
Many more race horses are also killed in slaughterhouses. Between 2016 and 2023, 15,658 thoroughbreds were slaughtered at “Department-approved slaughter facilities” in Ireland.
ACTION ALERT
Don’t bet on horse racing or attend horse racing events.
Since 2001, the Irish Government has granted €1.38 Billion of scarce public funds to horse racing, with another €79.28 million allocated for 2025.
Contact the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Finance Minister and demand an end to state funding to this gambling activity which causes so much suffering and death. Tell them to redirect the funds to the many deserving charities, health/homeless/environmental groups, sports clubs, animal rescue centres, etc crying out for funding.
Taoiseach Simon Harris TD
Email: simon.harris@oireachtas.ie; finegael@finegael.ie
Telephone: +353 (0)1 618 3805 or +353 (0)1 889 2442
X: http://www.twitter.com/SimonHarrisTD
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DeputySimonHarris
Tanaiste Micheál Martin
Email: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie; micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; info@fiannafail.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1–618 4350 or +353 (0)21-432 0088
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michealmartintd/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@MichealMartinTD
Jack Chambers TD
Minister for Finance
Email: Minister@finance.gov.ie; jack.chambers@oireachtas.ie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jackchambersff/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jackfchambers
Watch “RTE Investigates: Horses - Making a Killing”
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/k4FrFzefIZDsu3BBw3s