The Australian vet synonymous with strict protocols that have reduced the possibility of international participation at the Melbourne Cup (G1) has defended the measures and claims public confidence in the sport has boosted after two runs with no deaths.
Dr Grace Forbes, Racing Victoria’s general manager of veterinary services, has achieved controversial status in the UK and Ireland as a leader in enhanced scans and examinations introduced after death. of hero Anthony Van Dyck during the Derby (G1) in Melbourne in the 2020 Cup.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained star became the sixth foreign runner to go missing in just eight years, an even more alarming figure when compared to the fact that there was no horse. Australia has not been killed in the historic competition since 1979. The casualties, all representing European stables, suffered serious injuries to limbs, while between 2018 and 2020, three animals The horse died of serious injuries at the Werribee quarantine facility.
The Legend of Deauville finished third in Flemington in November when one of the only two international candidates for group 1 was robbed twice by Joseph O’Brien, who trained more recently resting state to win the Cox Plate (G1) in 2021 but then chose not to run in Melbourne last year after criticizing Racing Victoria’s approach.
O’Brien and William Haggas are among a number of international coaches that will take part in Sydney’s upcoming fall festival, while 2018 Melbourne Cup winner, Charlie Appleby, has not targeted the typical. Flemington’s performance since the managers ordered people to stay at Godolphin Ispolini as recommended by Forbes 2019.
Explaining Racing Victoria’s place at the Asian Racing Conference in Melbourne, Forbes said: “The Melbourne Cup is a sporting, cultural and social event watched by 750 million people globally—and the children Dead horses cannot be part of our nation’s great race.
“After the 2020 Melbourne Cup, the industry and the general public demanded change. Raw emotion was the culmination of a number of incidents over the years and not just what happened in the Melbourne Cup. This is what happened in the Melbourne Cup. This is unacceptable and more needs to be done to ensure our international horses return home safely.
“We have taken important steps to reduce the risk of injury—and we do not apologize for making these decisions to protect the welfare and safety of our horses.”
Forbes, who twice used the phrase “injuries are part of every sport—but death is not” when addressing the audience, added: “The initiatives we showcased have setting a new global benchmark We’ve been involved for two years and we haven’t had any serious injuries or deaths in our international horses or any of the horses competing in the Melbourne Cup. This has improved public trust and social acceptance of horse racing in Victoria.”
Significant changes are not expected to be implemented this year, although Forbes said: “Without degrading security protocols, our goal is to try to make it easy, as reasonable and effective as possible for international coaches We really appreciate their contribution to the Spring Racing Festival.
“No trainer sends a horse knowing that the horse is about to be injured. What we have learned is that horses can be matched to the best of our knowledge and the trainer’s knowledge. to compete, but there are things we can’t see with our eyes. We use tools to see those things.”
Dr Chris Riggs, director of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Equine Welfare Research Foundation, joined Forbes on stage in Melbourne and conveyed her complaints about UK veterinarians , who believe that Racing Victoria’s actions do not have enough scientific basis.
Riggs also argues that the requirements faced by international stables are “probably mandatory” but also describes the regulator’s approach as “not unreasonable” and makes his own theory that the Melbourne Cup deaths could have been caused by “cumulative damage”.
“The vast majority of fractures occur in horses with fatigue injuries. Some would disagree, but I think there’s pretty convincing evidence that most horses with fractures can,” he said. started the race with something that increases the risk a lot.If we could identify those horses, it would eliminate a lot of the cracks.
“Braces are not completely preventable, but can we prevent a large number of fractures? I honestly believe we can, even though there are others who are very knowledgeable and experienced. experience believes I’m too optimistic.”
