Read our media release on Newsmaker http://www.newsmaker.com.au/news/4273

A promising young racehorse trained by Leon MacDonald was killed this morning at Morphettville by a Taxi. A tragic death; with the jockey aboard fortunate to escape serious injury.

An average of 300 horses are trained at Morphettville each day, with most crossing either Bray Street or Morphett Road twice each morning with many again crossing twice in the afternoon for a swim, walk or graze on the course. That is up to 1200 horse crossings in any one working day.

“It would be unlikely that any other racecourse precinct in the world would be found contending with such a high volume of interactions between horses and vehicles.” Said Julie Fiedler, Executive Officer of Horse SA “We have today written to Minister Holloway & Minister Conlon to seek a proper and immediate review of the precinct”

Horse SA has initiated site meetings over the years, as have many other horse industry representatives; however resolutions have only tinkered around the edges. Additional signage, reflective posts and stronger lamps put into the posts have been some of the improvements.

The Department for Urban Planning & Infrastructure has the power to call for an overarching immediate review of the area, and in collaboration with all stakeholders, to source solutions from racecourse precincts world-wide. The Adelaide Now website has plenty of suggestions listed from contributors also worthy of consideration.

“The death of this young horse need not be in vain” said Julie “Horses are a part of our community, not something to be brushed aside as an inconvenience for planners. An opportunity to work out a solution once and for all now needs to be the goal.”

Horse SA has recently developed a Horse Riding & Road Safety website http://www.horseroadsafety.org.au