An explosive ABC report that showing that thousands of healthy thoroughbred racehorses are being killed for meat for human consumption has shocked Shoalhaven City Turf Club CEO Lynn Locke.
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Mrs Locke, who has been at the helm of the local club for 18 years, has condemned the action.
"I've certainly heard about the report but haven't seen it," she said.
"But what I've heard is horrifying."
Thursday night's 7.30 report blew the lid on the "industrial scale" destruction of an enormous number of animals from Australia's $1 billion horse racing industry. A practice regulation should prevent, and which NSW Racing insists doesn't occur, but secretly captured vision has shown a very different and horrific story.
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One abattoir in southeast Queensland is reported to have killed more than 300 race horses, representing $5 million in prize money, over a 22-day period.
I've certainly heard about the report but haven't seen it. But what I've heard is horrifying.
- Shoalhaven City Turf Club CEO Lynn Locke
The graphic and hard-to-watch vision, showed many of the horses being abused by abattoir workers - whipped, kicked and punched, and electric prods used.
Mrs Locke said she was not "well enough informed" to comment on the incidents in Queensland and "couldn't comment on behalf of Racing NSW" but like most people she was "horrified" about what she'd heard.
"It surprised me that such a thing is going on," she said.
"We have very strong laws in place by Racing Australia and Racing NSW that legislate against these sorts of actions in this state.
"This has been horrific.
"I've also owned horses and none of the trainers I've been involved with have been part of such practices.
I've also owned horses and none of the trainers I've been involved with have been part of such practices. They have always tried to rehome our horses once they are retired from racing.
- Shoalhaven City Turf Club CEO Lynn Locke
"They have always tried to re-home our horses once they are retired from racing and to my knowledge, most local trainers are all the same.
"Owners and trainers get attached to their horses. You don't want to see anything happen to your animals.
"You really do get attached. You do want to see them go to good homes once they are finished racing.
"When you give a horse away you do it in good faith.
"We often have photos sent to us of our horses in their next stage of life doing things like equestrian events."
She said Sky Racing announcer Chynna Marston, who is a regular at the Nowra races, along with her mother Cheryl has been running Recycled Racehorses, a business finding new homes for the kings of the track for many years.
Despite the local award-winning SCTC being highly respected within the racing industry, renowned for its hospitality, racing facilities and close racing, Mrs Locke said she didn't know if this report would damage the industry.
"It is a very touchy and emotional subject," she said.
"We will have to wait and see if it will damage the racing industry.
"To my knowledge, Racing NSW and Racing Australia have done everything they can to ensure this doesn't happen in NSW. What happens in Queensland or Victoria I don't know."