IGS recently highlighted, in video clips, the well-being/welfare/fate concerns of two Greyhounds who suffered at the first bend in the Red Mills & TSC(Track Supporters Club)Unraced Stakes at Clonmel Greyhound track, on the 12th Jan 2014.
Sadly, rather than any replies from the Clonmel Track Manager to polite emails from IGS and the concerned public, the IGS video had received a complaint and was removed from IGS YouTube. The video, celebrating the 'competition' as a 'kinder garden for future stars', showing the clear pain of Inslips Fizz and the speeding-crash of Airforce Rebel can be viewed in full: Round 2 Red Mills Unraced Stake at Clonmel.(Inslips Fizz starting from 4m15s/Airforce Rebel starting at 9m35s)
Despite the Bord na gCon(IGB)continued desire to decrease 'the number of negative articles and online commentary' - as seen as a performance indicator in the Bord na gCon relationship with breeders,owners and trainers in their Strategic Business Plan(more on this to come in future IGS posts)but fitting well with the video removal - IGS and GSI believes the new, sought-after, 'non-greyhound customers' of the Bord na gCon and the public has a right to know of the welfare/well-being/fates of Inslips Fizz and Airforce Rebel(let alone the welfare/well-being/fates of the thousands of other Greyhounds bred for the Irish racing industry).
As seen in That Was Irish Greyhound Racing 2013, Bord na gCon is a semi-state body supported with public funding via the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund.
Please Cc this email to Bord na gCon Welfare Manager: Barry Coleman and Minister responsible for Greyhounds: Tom Hayes.
To: cmltrack@indigo.ie
Cc: barry.coleman@igb.ie; Tom.hayes@oir.ie
Subject: Red Mills & TSC Unraced Stakes at Clonmel
Email: 'Dear Track Manager,
On the 12th Jan 2014 'Inslips Fizz' pulled up(clearly in pain)on the first bend of race 7 and did not finish, as listed in the race results: DNF
On the 12th Jan 2014 'Airforce Rebel' crashed on the first bend(tho rejoined the end of the race - seemingly after running in the opposite direction after crashing)of race 10 and did not finish, as listed in the race results: DNF
I write to you to inquire after the health and welfare of both Greyhounds mentioned above.
Given that the Greyhound racing industry is a publicly-funded semi-state-body I believe such information should be available to the interested/concerned public.
I look forward to your reply.
Regards'
[your name]
Sadly, rather than any replies from the Clonmel Track Manager to polite emails from IGS and the concerned public, the IGS video had received a complaint and was removed from IGS YouTube. The video, celebrating the 'competition' as a 'kinder garden for future stars', showing the clear pain of Inslips Fizz and the speeding-crash of Airforce Rebel can be viewed in full: Round 2 Red Mills Unraced Stake at Clonmel.(Inslips Fizz starting from 4m15s/Airforce Rebel starting at 9m35s)
'kinder garden for future stars' or races for survival?
Despite the Bord na gCon(IGB)continued desire to decrease 'the number of negative articles and online commentary' - as seen as a performance indicator in the Bord na gCon relationship with breeders,owners and trainers in their Strategic Business Plan(more on this to come in future IGS posts)but fitting well with the video removal - IGS and GSI believes the new, sought-after, 'non-greyhound customers' of the Bord na gCon and the public has a right to know of the welfare/well-being/fates of Inslips Fizz and Airforce Rebel(let alone the welfare/well-being/fates of the thousands of other Greyhounds bred for the Irish racing industry).
As seen in That Was Irish Greyhound Racing 2013, Bord na gCon is a semi-state body supported with public funding via the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund.
Polite Action:
Please copy and paste the below email and send to Clonmel Track Manager.Please Cc this email to Bord na gCon Welfare Manager: Barry Coleman and Minister responsible for Greyhounds: Tom Hayes.
To: cmltrack@indigo.ie
Cc: barry.coleman@igb.ie; Tom.hayes@oir.ie
Subject: Red Mills & TSC Unraced Stakes at Clonmel
Email: 'Dear Track Manager,
On the 12th Jan 2014 'Inslips Fizz' pulled up(clearly in pain)on the first bend of race 7 and did not finish, as listed in the race results: DNF
On the 12th Jan 2014 'Airforce Rebel' crashed on the first bend(tho rejoined the end of the race - seemingly after running in the opposite direction after crashing)of race 10 and did not finish, as listed in the race results: DNF
I write to you to inquire after the health and welfare of both Greyhounds mentioned above.
Given that the Greyhound racing industry is a publicly-funded semi-state-body I believe such information should be available to the interested/concerned public.
I look forward to your reply.
Regards'
[your name]
If you wish to add to this email then it is vital to keep your words polite, relative and factual.
IGS does not endorse abusive and reactionary emails.
IGS does not endorse abusive and reactionary emails.
Update (15th Feb)
With no response to date from B.Coleman we have since seen that Airforce Rebel is being used for racing again. After his high-speed crash at Clonmel on the 12th Jan he started to be used for racing again on the 31st Jan, and then again on 3rd of Feb - two races in just 4 days for this victim of the Irish racing industry.
Update (6th March)
B.Coleman finally replies to pressed concerns on the 28th February:
'Inslips Fizz was accidently injured in the race that night[12th Jan Red Mills & TSC Unraced Stakes at Clonmel]through a freak incident, which is quite rare in greyhound racing. The injury did necessitate that the greyhound[Inslips Fizz]be humanely euthanised on the night by the attending track veterinary surgeon..'
This reply goes against the Bord na gCon saying 'collisions and injuries were a feature of the sport' on the 19th of February and growing list of Greyhounds who suffer on Saturday nights.
