Video captures the final moments of a six-year-old race horse

The six-year-old mare was racing at Newton Abbot in driving rain when she broke her foreleg. Standing outside the course, Devon Animal Save witnessed and recorded as the horse was surrounded by green screens and fell to the ground.

Her death is 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 was heartbreaking to stand in the pouring rain filming and bearing witness to the end of this beautiful horse’s life, but the public need to see what happens. Why were they made to run in this weather? Why do people support a “sport” that causes so much pain and death to these amazing animals?’

Says Animal Aid’s Horseracing Consultant, Dene Stansall: ‘Once again, the new style of hurdles have proved too tough an obstacle for a horse. There seems to be an attitude of “the show must go on” when it comes to racing – regardless of whether it is in the best interest of the horses. It is vital that compassionate people realise that Tea In Transvaal’s death was not just an unlucky fluke – she 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 here
• Visit Race Horse Deathwatch