Horsham greyhound track debacle with races abandoned two weeks in a row
For the second time in as many weeks, Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) has abandoned the greyhound race meeting at the Horsham greyhound track that was scheduled for Tuesday.
In a response to the latest abandonment, GRV has issued a significant update regarding the abandonments and track safety.
According to GRV's official statement, the decision to cancel the event was made in consideration of the welfare and safety of the racing greyhounds due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
A GRV spokesperson said that the “organisation prioritises the welfare of the canine athletes, and any potential risks or concerns are taken extremely seriously”.
On Tuesday June 6 2023, greyhound racing was conducted until after the running of race five on the program before GRV Stewards called off the meeting.
The stewards report from the meeting read:
Stewards inspected the track and had some concerns with it's suitability for racing. As such, racing was indefinitely delayed at approximately 5.20pm to afford track staff the opportunity to remediate the observed concerns. The track was unable to be remediated. Due to the unsuitable track surface, the race meeting was abandoned at 6.09pm, pursuant to GAR 110 (4).
Last Tuesday (June 13) the greyhound race meeting didn't even get a single race conducted, despite all greyhounds having been kennelled; with GRV stewards abandoning the meeting after the pre-race track inspection.
Prior to kennelling, Stewards inspected the track and had concerns with its suitability for racing. Track staff were afforded the opportunity to remediate these concerns. A further track inspection occurred following kennelling, however the surface was still deemed to be unsuitable for racing. Therefore, the race meeting was abandoned at 2:35pm, pursuant to GAR 110 (4).
The GRV spokesperson, expressed regret over the cancellation, emphasising that the decision was not taken lightly. “While we understand the disappointment this may cause to participants and enthusiasts, we firmly believe that the welfare of the greyhounds must always be our top priority,” they stated.
Although specific details surrounding the unforeseen circumstances were not disclosed in the statement, GRV assured stakeholders that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
The statement also highlighted GRV's commitment to maintaining the integrity and transparency of greyhound racing in Victoria saying, “the organisation's rigorous protocols and regulations ensure the sport is conducted ethically and responsibly”.
“With a focus on continuous improvement, GRV remains dedicated to exploring avenues for enhancing safety measures and addressing any concerns that may arise within the industry.
“The welfare of greyhounds will always remain paramount, ensuring that they receive the utmost care and consideration throughout their racing careers”.
Further updates regarding the Horsham greyhound track and any related investigations will be provided by GRV in due course.