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The gripping sequel to The Black Horse Inside Coolmore zeros in on the rampant exploitation of racehorses worldwide, with an alarming focus on the unlawful use of performance-enhancing drugs. Parallel to this disturbing narrative, is the equally distressing mistreatment of the dedicated individuals who tirelessly work behind the scenes, making the spectacle of horse racing, on its best days, truly captivating, awe-inspiring, and unparalleled.
The US racing industry is grappling with a significant crisis, with the tragic death of 37 horses at Santa Anita, California, signalling a distressing wake-up call. The fatal casualties can be traced back to decades of lax attitudes toward medication use, which have played a critical part in this tragic animal welfare disaster. As the adage goes – when America sneezes, the world catches a cold. A striking parallel can be drawn with Irish horse racing, where the scourge of illegal drugs is worryingly on the rise.
Instead of taking a strong stance against the fraudsters, the Irish authorities have chosen to sweep major doping incidents under the carpet, downplaying the gravity of a situation spiralling out of control. This threatens to tarnish the legacy of a sport that was once a dominant force.
The author exposes the dark underbelly of global horse racing, revealing a world ravaged by greed, corruption, and exploitation. This narrative unveils the profound injustice that has led to the degradation of a sport once revered, but now teetering on the brink of moral collapse.