The leading welfare representative from Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), has cautioned against advocating for the removal of a horse meat plant in this country. He contends that this could potentially result in thoughtless exporting of the issue.
The Ministry of Agriculture revealed last Sunday that it has temporarily halted activities at Shannonside Foods Ltd facility situated in Straffan, currently under investigation for horse maltreatment accusations. A disturbing secret footage of widespread animal welfare violations at Ireland’s only horse slaughterhouse was shown on an RTÉ Investigates programme last week. This case is currently being examined by law enforcement and the department.
Shannonside witnessed the slaughter of more than 1,400 thoroughbreds last year, which constitutes about two-thirds of the total tally of horses processed in 2023. This has spurred further discussions about the sporting authority’s responsibility for the welfare of horses, especially after their racing careers end.
HRI’s Welfare & Bloodstock director, John Osborne, described last week’s footage as horrifying, and certainly does not represent the extensive care provided to the majority of horses within the sport and the industry.
In response to calls for Shannonside’s shutdown and the questioning of the essentiality of a slaughterhouse in the country, Osborne cited the example of the United States, where a significant number of horses are exported to Mexico and Canada for slaughter. “The lack of a slaughterhouse in the US may have led to another problem; simply shifting issues to other countries is not responsible,” he expressed. “Nonetheless, we must find a superior solution. I am optimistic that this week will inspire creativity, suggestions, and a push for improvement.”
In the United States, recurrent legislative attempts at prohibiting horse slaughter, in addition to the relocation and exporting of horses for slaughter, have been unsuccessful. Nevertheless, efforts to block agricultural inspectors from carrying out inspections at slaughterhouses have effectively closed down the sector in America, resulting in numerous horses being exported annually, predominantly to Mexico and Canada.
Moreover, as a result of RTÉ’s revelations, a trainer from Co Wicklow, Philip Rothwell, has expressed his disappointment at being implicated in the programme.
Among those implicated in the investigative probe were Shark Hanlon, Luke Comer, and Rothwell, making up a trio of trainers. However, Rothwell was the sole trainer who did not give a response to questions raised by the programme creators.
Rothwell, after winning a race at Downpatrick on Saturday, confessed to having a challenging week. One of his elite equines in training tragically suffered a bone fracture in its knee after being cast. He was bewildered why his name was brought up on RTÉ Investigates on Thursday and why an image from his promotional video was showcased on RTÉ without explanation.
He expressed profound distress over the situation. RTÉ had dispatched a letter to him, but such letters were sent to many trainers, outlining eight of his horses supposedly relocated to Shannonside Foods over some years. According to him, the horses may have been on his premises but weren’t there for long.
He made references to a mare who departed his care a dozen years ago and four others that bred foals subsequently—all unrelated to him. Some horses he entrusted to agents could be used as riding horses. He had never set foot in Shannonside Foods, and did not comprehend why his image was used without his consent, resulting in a tremendous emotional impact.
Rothwell insisted that anyone within racing circles would know the extent of his care and concern. He found the matter extremely taxing to deal with.
Meanwhile, Chris Hayes, an Irish jockey, wasn’t successful in the French Oaks on Sunday. He finished eighth, off the prize list, riding Candala, the Aga Khan’s contender in the Prix De Diane at Chantilly, with a €1 million purse.
The title was clinched by the local horse, Sparkling Plenty, beating Survie in a thrilling end. Tamfana, mounted by Oisín Murphy, finished third. The victorious horse was guided by French jockey Tony Piccone.
Looking ahead, trainer Aidan O’Brien is lined up to have three contenders for the first day of Royal Ascot on Tuesday. The trio includes the Group One pairing of Henry Longfellow and Unquestionable for the St James’s Palace Stakes.
O’Brien is already setting his sights on the future with his Derby champion, City Of Troy. This could involve a visit to Southwell as part of the preparations for a potential challenge at the Breeders Cup Classic in November.
The upcoming Sandown Eclipse next month is the immediate focus for City Of Troy. Subsequently, the horse will participate in either the Juddmonte at York or the Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. It will then prepare for a race on American soil, making the Travers race in Saratoga in August an impossibility.
O’Brien disclosed, “Our plan, which we’ve extensively discussed, posits us potentially heading to Sandown, followed by York or Leopardstown. Following that, we may go to Southwell for further preparation before we make our way to the United States. Our past experiences with various horses at Southwell have been favourable. Giant’s Causeway and Declaration Of War are prime examples. Our original plan was to prepare in the States, but we later felt it would alter too many elements,” said O’Brien on Sunday.