LOW DAY IN SOUTH AFRICAN HISTORY FOR HORSE RACING

Disgruntled staff at Fairview Racing Yard in Port Elizabeth, who were fired for stabbing a race horse, retaliate against trainer, killing and maiming horses, whilst threatening female trainer with gender based violence.

Chaos has erupted at Fairview Racing Yard in Port Elizabeth after workers who were fired for standing in solidarity with a fellow employee who stabbed a horse, have stormed the premises slaughtering one horse and maiming many others who will need to be put to sleep as a result of their injuries.

The yard, which contains many horses owned by international racing syndicate, The International Racing Club, who over the past few years has invested more than R20 million into the sport of racing in South Africa want racing authority Phumelela to take swift decisive action. “Something has to be done to stop this incredible violence and abuse against these animals,” says International Racing Club spokesperson, Michael de Haast, who has personally lost horses in attack.

It has been alleged that this group of ex-employees, who are a known threat to the yard and whom the yard have a court interdict against, have been living in an informal settlement on the Phumelela racing grounds, despite having been fired for stabbing a horse. “We want action now, we are calling on all trainers and other yards to stop all racing immediately until Phumelela take responsibility for what is happening and protect these horses,” says de Haast. “What is more worrying is that the trainer at this yard is a woman and she is being threatened with physical violence if she tries to protect the horses. Gender Based Violence, a scourge in our country, is being able to rear its ugly head in this situation too! Something has to be done!”

The South African racing community is held in high regard around the world, for producing some of the top racing blood lines, however, this recent incident could see many international investors pulling out of the sport in a time when our country needs as much financial support as possible.

“It is a very sad day in this country, when innocent animals are slaughtered and abused due to greed and hate. As Gandhi said - The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated – and I fear that our nation has lost its way unless we take a very big stand against this!” states de Haast. “If we can march and protest about inappropriate adverts we need to take even stronger action against this level of violence!

Phumelela Gaming were contacted for comment but no comment was given.