We met King’s Voyage when he had become just another unloved and unwanted horse in a paddock full of unloved and unwanted horses. He stood out for his friendliness, he had always known people as nurturers and providers, but now it was different.
It’s not always thoroughbreds straight off the track that are deemed worthless and sent to slaughter, often it is those that have been rehomed after racing. This is the story of one such horse, King’s Voyage, destined for death at nine years old and over four years after he finished racing.
King’s Voyage was kind, trusting and affectionate but it meant nothing, he meant nothing and his trust was to be brutally betrayed. To his previous owners his value was only what he was worth to the meat man and to the meat man he was just to be “income”, blood money made from the indifference of humans and the suffering of horses.
As time went by King’s Voyage became weary, the hunger and lack of care had taken its toll, he had given up. There was hay to start with but it was only given spasmodically and over the weeks that followed the horses mostly foraged in the dust for remnants. Why didn’t they have hay? Is it because the meat man didn’t want to waste money feeding horses that were going to be slaughtered? Is it because they were out of sight and out of mind? Is it because he just didn’t care? King’s Voyage and his paddock mates all stood together, tired and hungry as they awaited their fate, their final trip. They had given up trying to find food, they knew there was none.
There were five other foals born in 2010 that carried the same stud brand.
One was Star Destination, she was also by Good Journey and she was born on the 7th October 2010 just three days after King’s Voyage. In her four starts she won $44,575 for her owners. Her last race was 7th June 2013 and she is listed in the stud book as “Deceased 18th June 2013”. We believe that she died during surgery to her throat, she was just 2 years old. In a way she was luckier than King’s Voyage, at least she died peacefully and not terrified in a slaughterhouse.
What has happened to the other four born that year with that brand? Are they still alive?
According to an article on 28th September 2018 Good Journey had sired 464 foals. It states that 311 had been winners. What about the other 153? Those like King’s Voyage? How many of those 464 foals are still alive?
There are too many horses bred and too many meet the same fate as King’s Voyage. He was slaughtered because he was just considered “wastage”. He should have had many more years on this earth but that right was taken from him in the most brutal way. Look at his photos and grieve for him, his photos are all that is left.
RIP King’s Voyage, you deserved so much better.
Your Title Goes Here
Since posting this story on FB, King’s Voyage was recognised. We now know that he was re-homed to a show home. His name was George. He was a real people horse, he loved people and he was loved …until he became unsound. Then all love for George evaporated.
To the heartless woman that dumped him with the dogger to starve and then be slaughtered in the most brutal way, there are people who know who you are.
Just remember he was starved for a while and then died terrified. He smelt death and he was afraid. George paid a heavy price for your measly dollars.
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