Memorial Vigil for Tea in Transvaal, killed at Newton Abbot

Date: Friday 16 June

Time 12.30 – 17.30

Location: Newton Abbot Racecourse, Newton Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 3AF

Earlier this month, Devon Animal Save witnessed the final moments of a race horse named Tea In Transvaal. The six-year-old mare was racing at Newton Abbot in driving rain when she broke her foreleg. Standing outside the course, shocked members of Devon Animal Save filmed the horse as she was surrounded by green screens and destroyed.

Her death was the 77^th this year, as recorded by Animal Aid’s online resource, Race Horse Deathwatch. Deathwatch was launched in 2007 in response to the lack of public information about race horse deaths provided by the racing industry.

Says Ross Mayhew from Devon Animal Save: ‘It is our duty to bring to the public’s attention the terrible dangers faced by, and the price paid by, those horses who are made to race. Although it was heartbreaking to stand in the pouring rain filming and bearing witness to the end of this beautiful horse’s life, we strongly believe that only by exposing such deaths will the public be able to make up their minds about whether to support racing or not.’

Says Animal Aid’s Horse racing Campaigner, Fiona Pereira: ‘Animal Aid is grateful to all the local groups up and down the country – like Devon Animal Save – which help to highlight how horses are used, injured and killed for “sport”. Racing is not just a harmless flutter. Tea In Transvaal was, sadly, one of around 200 horses killed on British racecourses each year. The only way for an end to these deaths is for people to stop funding the industry with their attendance fees and betting money.’

For more information:

• Contact Dene Stansall on 01732 364546
• Watch the video
• Visit Race Horse Deathwatch