The second greyhound to die at the Richmond racing complex in four days collapsed after running on a supposedly “safe” track.
Ten greyhounds have now died racing at Richmond’s two tracks – circle and straight – this year, despite $1.5 million having been spent on upgrading the NW Sydney facility and supposedly making it safe.
Stewards’ reports record 32 greyhound deaths on NSW racetracks in 2023, with more than 2,700 injuries, making it the most dangerous state in Australia for greyhounds.
The stewards’ report for Richmond straight track for 2 September 2023 states that in Race 12 two-year-old Ding Dong Ditch “collapsed post-race leaving the catching pen, transported to the veterinary room and found to be deceased.”
At the Richmond circle track on 30 August, the stewards’ report states that three-year-old Miss Indi was “deceased from a fractured neck suffered in the race fall”.
The Richmond racing facility is now the deadliest greyhound racetrack in Australia in 2023, with 10 deaths recorded (seven on the circle track, three on the straight). Cannington in WA is second with six deaths.
The Richmond facility also has the most injuries in Australia this year, with 459, while the circle track has Australia’s most Category D (serious) injuries, with 106.
The Richmond complex has been upgraded at a cost of $1.5 million. $282,475 was spent on a kennel upgrade, $696,500 on a safety upgrade for the circle track, and $499,500 building the “safe” straight track.
81 greyhounds have died on Australian racetracks this year, all detailed here.
Stewards report: Stewards report Richmond Str 2 Sept2023
Image shows Ding Dong Ditch (blue number 4) crossing the line, and about to collapse.