Australian tracks kill thirteen unlucky greyhounds in September 2023

Four greyhounds were killed in just two races. Another two died in the catching pen of broken necks. These are six of the unlucky thirteen greyhounds killed racing on Australian tracks in September 2023.

The so-called “safe” straight track at Richmond NSW proved deadly for two year old Ding Dong Ditch who collapsed and died after his race on September 2nd. His body was taken to a nearby vet clinic but it is likely the cause of death will not be made public. Ding Dong Ditch was running in his 32nd race.

Four year old Bourne Rose was running in her 96th race at Warrnambool Victoria when she collided with another runner and fell at the first turn. She fractured her right radius and ulna and was killed by the on track vet. Bourne Rose had been racing in the “Sportsbet Every Dog Has Its Day” race.

Just three days after on September 7, at the same track at Warrnambool, Kinloch Kansas, not yet two years old, fractured his neck in an “incident in the catching pen”. He died instantly. Kinloch Kansas had been forced to race fourteen times in his young life.

The very next day back at Richmond NSW yet another collision in the catching pen proved fatal for twenty two month old Miss Apex. She broke her neck and died on the track following her 8th and last race. Miss Apex had won a mere $440 in her short “career”.

On September 10th at Mt Gambier track in South Australia two year old Cadillac Hadlie fell at the back turn and fractured her right carpal bone. She was killed by the on track vet shortly after. It was her sixteenth race.

The catching pen continued to prove lethal for greyhounds on September 11th at Bundaberg, Queensland when veteran racer Cambla Doll collapsed post race and died. She had been forced to race ninety two times.

The same day on Northam track in Western Australia, Triumph Monelli had his heels galloped on and fell, suffering an excruciating and “catastrophic” right tarsal fracture. It was his thirty eighth race and the on track vet put him out of his agony soon after. Triumph Monelli was thirty three months old.

Still in Western Australia, on September 19th two year old West Ali was running in his fifth and final, tragic race at Cannington track when he collided with another greyhound at the first turn. He broke down with a right wrist dislocation and fracture. The on track vet killed him. West Ali’s career had lasted a mere seven weeks.

On September 25th in Queensland, Bundaberg track claimed the lives of two greyhounds in just two races. In race 1, two and a half year old Obliging Cyndie was “dragged down from behind” and suffered fractures in both her front legs. Obliging Cyndie was running in only her seventh race. In race 2 Granny’s Girl, just a puppy of twenty months fell at the second turn and fractured her front left metacarpal and carpal. It was Granny’s Girl’s first, and last, race. Both greyhounds were killed by the on track vet and both greyhounds shared the same trainer. The meet was abandoned after stewards inspected the track and found it “unsuitable” but this was too late for Granny’s Girl and Obliging Cyndie who both paid with their lives.

On September 26th, young greyhound He’s Hot Today fell at the back turn and “failed to finish”. He had a compound fracture of his nearside radius and ulna. In the same race at Casino track, NSW, another greyhound was forced to withdraw due to a flea infestation. He’s Hot Today was only twenty two months old and running in his third race. He was killed by the on track vet.

Cannington track in Western Australia killed two greyhounds in the same race on September 29th. Sapphire Ripple, twenty nine months, and Nitro Jet, thirty two months were both running in the “Free For All” race when they collided at the first turn. They both fell. Sapphire Ripple fractured her right scapula and humerus. Nitro Jet broke his right radius and ulna. They were both despatched by the on track vet soon after. They had won nearly $39,000 between them.