The Australian Turf Club is embroiled in a major scandal after its mounted security division was shut down amid claims that former racehorses were mistreated and illegally sedated to fulfil lucrative commercial work.
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The ATC's Mounted Division uses retired racehorses that are retrained for everyday life. Aside from ceremonial duties on race days, they double as horses for hire in the private security sector and regularly appear as props in modelling shoots for shows including Australia's Next Top Model and Channel Seven's Sunrise. But Fairfax Media can reveal that following serious allegations of cruelty and drugging, Racing NSW has seized all the horses and launched an investigation.
"My stewards received a complaint from workers about possible cruelty to the horses there," confirmed Racing NSW chief Peter V'landys on Saturday. "We attended immediately. We removed the horses and have subsequently opened up an inquiry."
The scandal, kept under wraps by both Racing NSW and the ATC for more than a month, has now erupted just before the prestigious Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, which includes the Golden Slipper at Rosehill and the $18 Million The Championships at Randwick.
ATC chief executive Darren Pearce said his organisation would not be making any comment on the "specifics" of the Racing NSW inquiry which, at this stage, remains "confidential" for all parties involved "including our staff who wish to respond to the allegations".
"We welcome the inquiry and we will continue to co-operate ... to uphold the highest standards of animal welfare and integrity," Mr Pearce said.
At the time it was shut on January 16, the Mounted Division had six horses all donated by owners to give their animals a new lease of life. They include Turbulent Jet who earned more than $200,000 during his career, the Terry Fahey-trained Manhattan Island and Lachlan Place, donated by former jockey Kevin Moses. As part of their new careers, the reconditioned animals get to revisit past haunts including Royal Randwick, Canterbury and Warwick Farm racecourses as part of security patrols.
Away from the track, they spearhead a series of valuable community initiatives such as visits to aged care homes and schools. However, there is another financially focused side to the business, with its website telling prospective clients: "The horses may also be hired out for private and public events and promotions to add uniqueness to your event."
Fairfax Media is aware that allegations were raised last year that the division had a "gruelling" work schedule, collective poor health and that drugs were not only being exploited to mask serious pain, but sedate the animals to ensure they performed "appropriately" at events and functions, some of which can span an entire day.
However, the situation is understood to have escalated over the New Year holiday period when four horses were sent to patrol the three-day Falls Music & Arts Festival near Byron Bay. When one of those horses collapsed, injuring itself and its female rider, NSW Racing was called in by concerned stakeholders.
Mr V'landys said as soon as his organisation became aware of the "alarming" allegations in mid-January, all horses were removed from their base in Sydney's Centennial Park and transferred to a farm where they remain. "Constant veterinary examinations have been conducted," he said, adding: "We are now satisfied they are in much improved condition from what they were."
Four statements have since been taken by Racing NSW stewards who will decide, upon completion of the inquiry, whether formal charges should be laid.
Do you know more? eduff@fairfaxmedia.com.au
