Greyhound racing deaths in July 2024

The image shows Mighty Innings, two years old, at Healesville VIC, running in his 53rd race. Seven seconds after the start , he falls, tumbling and flipping over.  He stands, holding up his broken leg, looking for help. When help came, it took him to the on-track vet who killed him.

Seven young greyhounds were killed on Australian tracks in July this year, with more killed away from tracks after suffering fractures in their races.

After the explosive Brittan report, detailing the dismal state of welfare in the NSW greyhound racing industry, was tabled in parliament in June, surprisingly there were no track deaths recorded in the state for July. There were, however, plenty of leg fractures on NSW tracks and at least two injured greyhounds were removed from the track, ostensibly to receive treatment, only to be  killed at off-track vet clinics.

Two-year-old Cheeky Cha Cha was running in race six at Albion Park track in Queensland on 8 July when she collided with other greyhounds at the first turn and fell, suffering a “near side fore” injury. No further details are known and the video of the race has been removed. Cheeky Cha Cha had been raced eight times in four weeks in the lead up to her final tragic start. She was killed by the industry vet after her race.

The next day at Mandurah track in WA, three-year-old Cruisin’ hit the inside rail on the home turn in race 11 and fell, dislocating his left wrist. Again, the race video is “not available”. Cruisin’ was killed by the on-track vet.

On 11 July two-year-old Speed Merchant was running in race 11 at Warragul track in Victoria when he fell following a collision. He fractured his right elbow and humerus. Speed Merchant had suffered a race injury a few weeks previously. He had since been raced twice, each time coming last. This was his 22nd and last race. He was killed by the on-course vet soon after. The track surface was inspected by stewards after Speed Merchant’s race and deemed “satisfactory for racing”.

Two-year-old Sam’s Mullet broke down in race 12 on the back straight turn at Sandown Park, Victoria, on July 15. He did not finish the race. Sam’s Mullet had dislocated and fractured his left hock. The race video shows him clearly agitated in the starting box prior to the race and when his leg breaks he runs askew, tail swinging desperately trying to slow down. The track announcer can be heard telling the punters this is a “good solid night of greyhound racing”. Sam’s Mullet was killed by the industry vet at the track.

On July 22 two-year-old I’m Flipper was running in race 3 at Bundaberg track in Queensland when she was “checked and dragged down from behind” at the first turn. She fell heavily and did not finish. I’m Flipper had suffered a nearside radius and ulna fracture as well as an unspecified “leg injury”. She was the smallest greyhound in her race and her fall has been edited out of the race video. The track was inspected after the race and the stewards were “satisfied it was satisfactory for racing”. I’m Flipper was killed by the on-course vet soon after her race.

Mighty Innings, two years old, was running in his 53rd start at Healesville, Victoria, on July 26. Seven seconds into race 12 he appears to fall for no apparent reason. The race video shows him tumbling and flipping over. Mighty Innings had fractured his right wrist and radius. He is seen getting to his feet and holding up his broken leg, looking around for help. When help came, it took him to the on-track vet who killed him.

On July 29 Lady Tureaud, nearly four, was running in her 107th start at Northam track in WA. She had her “heels galloped on, stumbled and lost ground”. The race video shows her running awkwardly as she came a distant last. Lady Tureaud had fractured her right hock and was killed by the industry vet soon after her last race.