The Greyhound Recorder, mouthpiece for the greyhound racing industry, has listed the top ten “Memorable Racing Moments Of 2023”.
These so-called “big race victories” ignore the pain, suffering and death that greyhounds are forced to endure as part of the big business of gambling.
Here are ten “memorable moments” that the racing industry ignored in 2023. This is the cruel reality of greyhound racing. These dogs have been forgotten by the racing business, but not by us.
Joyous Treasure
In only her third race, Joyous Treasure hit the running rail at Wagga Wagga NSW on 26 May and flew into the air. She suffered a fractured neck and “open head and leg wounds”, and was euthanased. The distressing race video – since censored – prompted local MP Dr Joe McGirr to lobby for a safety rail. On 15 December Bianca’s Son was killed after suffering a fractured skull after hitting the safety rail.
Black Roses
Black Roses was Tasmania’s first greyhound death of the year, losing her life at Launceston on 28 February. Colliding with other dogs at the first turn and suffering a fractured leg, she was able to run across the finish line – but was killed by the on-track vet rather than saved by the injury recovery scheme.
Bokarm Arrow
The three year old collapsed from tick paralysis at the start of his race at Casino NSW on 26 September. The race video – since censored – shows him struggling to move. Vets say his symptoms would have been evident before the race. Bokarm Arrow was declared “Deceased” afterwards.
Obliging Cyndie and Granny’s Girl
The Bundaberg QLD track was closed after the deaths of Obliging Cyndie (two years old) and Granny’s Girl (20 months) on 25 September. Both suffered fractured forelegs after falling and were euthanased. The track surface was deemed “unsuitable”. The track received a major $1.4m upgrade that prioritised “animal care” in early 2023.
Destini Brumby
Destini Brumby was euthanased with a hindleg injury at Angle Park SA on 25 November, days before completion of the SA government inquiry into greyhound racing. The scathing report noted the irony of the racing marketing phrase, We Love Our Dogs, seen in the video with Destini Brumby soon to be killed.
Weblec Gem
A prohibited substance was found in three-year old Weblec Gem after she won a race in December 2022. In February 2023 Weblec Gem collapsed and died in heatwave conditions at Gawler SA. The on-track vet attributed death to “haemabdomen”, or bleeding within the abdominal cavity. Her death highlighted the state’s lack of an effective heat policy.
Ten Dollar Slaps
Ten Dollar Slaps died a few seconds into her 62nd race at Horsham VIC on 7 March. Colliding with the running rail at the first turn, her spine snapped and both front legs were broken, a violent death caught on race video.
Winlock Lad
On 30 March at Dapto NSW veteran Winlock Lad collapsed and died just after his 108th race. Cause of death was suspected “post exercise distress syndrome”. He had been raced four times in 12 days in the lead up to his death. His trainer had been found guilty of doping another of his greyhounds with methamphetamines in 2022.
Orson Laurie
Three greyhounds died on May 14 – Mother’s Day. Orson Laurie ran his 73rd race at Grafton NSW and then dropped dead in the catching pen. The race meeting was a special Mothers’ Day event where mums got free food and alcohol and children entered for free. Orson Laurie had run three races in just seven days. Also on this day, Zoe Kate collapsed and died at Albion Park QLD, while Burn Out Bronte was killed with a broken foreleg at Richmond NSW.
Big Girl Daphne
Cannington WA was the scene of Big Girl Daphne’s first and fatal race on 6 June. Just a pup at 19 months, her “career” lasted mere seconds when she broke her left hock and tibia following a fall at the first turn. Rather than be placed on the injury recovery scheme, Big Girl Daphne was killed by the on-track vet. Cannington recorded 13 deaths in 2023, Australia’s deadliest track.
Image at top of page shows Joyous Treasure at Wagga Wagga
