Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses - New Zealand (CPRNZ) has condemned New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) following the abandonment of the Gore race meeting - for the second time in less than a week - after ongoing safety and track issues rendered it too dangerous to proceed.

The original meeting, scheduled for Thursday last week, was postponed after gale-force winds tore through Southland, ripping part of the grandstand roof from the Gore racecourse and scattering debris across the grounds - including the horse tie-up area. Club President Morgan Horrell described the event as a near disaster, admitting that “it was more good luck than good management that nobody was killed.”

Despite those warnings, NZTR rescheduled the races for Tuesday. But once again, nature and unsafe conditions prevailed and the meeting was ultimately abandoned due to track issues.

“This situation lays bare the industry’s priorities,” said Nick Hancock, spokesperson for CPRNZ. “NZTR ignored weather warnings the first time and then rushed to reschedule before the venue had even fully recovered. It’s deeply troubling that it took track issues, not animal welfare concerns, to finally halt proceedings.”

Horrell confirmed that the club had repeatedly asked NZTR to postpone or relocate the original meeting before the storm hit, but were refused.

“When organisers themselves say it was just ‘luck’ that no one was killed, it’s clear there’s something seriously wrong,” said Elin Arbez of CPRNZ. “Racing authorities were willing to put horses and people at risk rather than disrupt their calendar. That’s not just irresponsible - it’s immoral.”

CPRNZ says the repeated cancellations highlight the urgent need for NZTR to overhaul its weather and safety protocols, prioritising the welfare of horses above the demands of the gambling industry.

“Racehorses are not disposable entertainment,” Hancock added. “They are sentient beings forced to perform in dangerous and unpredictable conditions. The industry can’t keep gambling with lives - human or horse - and calling it sport.”

© Scoop Media