September 2022 proved lethal for 14 unlucky greyhounds killed racing on Australian tracks. In fact, six greyhounds died in a three-day period alone. Among them were two young dogs tragically killed in their very first race after suffering excruciating leg injuries and being trampled by other greyhounds.
A further two greyhounds were killed outright in separate catching pen collisions. And a trio of veritable money-making veterans were killed by their connections despite earning over $140,000 between them.
New South Wales tracks were by far the deadliest for greyhounds in September. Wentworth Park, the scene for the Million Dollar Chase on September 24, saw the deaths of two greyhounds.
Mojave Ghost, just nineteen months old, suffered a compound fracture of his foreleg when he collided with another runner and fell. He was trampled by the other greyhounds and killed by the on-track vet. He was running in his first, and final, fatal race. Impatient Devil, a 3 ½ year old veteran of 43 starts, collided with another runner, fell, and could not go on. He was found to have a compound fracture of his hock and was killed shortly after by the on-track vet. He had won nearly $25,000 in his racing career.
September 16 was a horror day for greyhounds in NSW, three dying at three separate tracks. At Goulburn, eighteen-month old Blended Scotch, in his first and only race, failed to finish after suffering agonising bilateral comminuted compound fractures of his forelegs. He had fallen and was trampled on. He was killed by the on-track vet. Similarly, First Defence, 3 ½, could not go on after fracturing is hock in his 11th race. He too was killed by the on-track vet at The Gardens, Newcastle. The race footage must have been heartbreaking to watch. And at Richmond track 2-year old Frankie Foe collapsed and died in the catching pen, saving everyone the bother of euthanasing him.
At Bathurst, 4-year old Hartley Man fell post-race and shattered his foreleg. He had raced 31 times for a grand total of $2,160 in prizemoney, or just $69 earnings per start.
In Grafton, Lord Ability fell on the first turn following a collision. He could not go on, having broken his elbow and foreleg in several places. It was the day before his 2nd birthday and he was racing in only his second start. He was killed by the on-track vet.
Swift Jerry, 3 ½, was killed by the vet at Coonamble track in NSW, after falling at the first turn of his 39th race. He had suffered a compound fracture of his foreleg.
Victorian tracks saw three greyhounds die in 6 days alone in September. One Hombre, 40 months, collapsed and died in the catching pen at Shepparton on September 8. Three days later, at Healesville track, 3 ½ year old Alcindor managed to run 3rd in his race before fracturing his hock in the catching pen and was euthanased. He had won his connections over $30,000 but was killed anyway. On September 14, at Traralgon track, poor Desley, a few days short of her 3rd birthday, broke her neck when she fell a few seconds after the start. The race footage is harrowing to watch as she lies helpless on the track awaiting her fate. Desley was killed by the on-track vet. On September 29 at Sandown Park track, Weblec Flare fell at the first turn, fracturing his right foreleg. Despite winning nearly $90,000 in a 44 start career, he was allowed to he killed by the on-track vet.
Angle Park in South Australia managed to kill 2 greyhounds within 3 days. Hiring was running in the “Greyhounds As Pets” stakes when he lost ground and fell. He was found to have a right hock fracture and was killed. He was 34 months old and running in his 51st and last race. A mere two days later, Angle Park claimed the life of Amenadiel’s Lad, 38 months old. He was running in, yes you guessed it, the “Greyhounds As Pets” stakes when he fractured his left foreleg following a collision. He was dragged down by another runner. The on-track vet put him out of his agony. No post-racing pet life for these two greyhounds.
Fourteen greyhounds killed.
Average age 34 months.
Youngest greyhound killed: 18 months
Oldest greyhound killed: 47 months
Most number of starts: 51
Average number of starts: 28
Shortest career: 10 seconds
Total prize money: $189,215
Average prize money: $13,515
Head/neck/back fractures: 1
Shattered hocks: 4
Fractured forelegs: 7
Unknown cause : 2
Rest In Peace.
We will remember them.
7/9 Mojave Ghost 19 months Wentworth Park NSW
8/9 One Hombre 40 months Shepparton VIC
11/9 Alcindor 44 months Healesville VIC
12/9 Hartley Man 47 months Bathurst NSW
14/9 Desley 36 months Traralgon VIC
16/9 Blended Scotch 18 months Goulburn NSW
16/9 First Defence 30 months The Gardens NSW
16/9 Frankie Foe 27 months Richmond NSW
17/9 Hiring 34 months Angle Park SA
18/9 Swift Jerry 42 months Coonamble NSW
19/9 Amenadiel’s Lad 38 months Angle Park SA
25/9 Lord Ability 23 months Grafton NSW
28/9 Impatient Devil 42 months Wentworth Park NSW
29/9 Weblec Flare 35 months Sandown Park VIC
Image at top shows Desley racing at Traralgon, airborne and about to land, breaking her neck.