There were hundreds of people following the story of Courting Magic on social media. People believed she was deliberately snuck into the Echuca Auction late in the day so that she wouldn’t be photographed and promoted. After she was bought by Shepp Meats, people became aware that this beautiful mare that had won 10 races and been placed in many more, had been thrown to the doggers. Courting Magic had been retired from racing in Darwin and sent to a stud in Victoria.
When people approached Shepp Meats, they were informed that she was needed for the quota and was already on the truck. As more and more people became aware of her fate, Peter Loffel said he would try to have her removed from the truck. Waiting in great anticipation over a period of days, many people hoped and prayed for her safe release from the jaws of death.

Courting Magic when she was loved

However, other people rang Meramist in a futile attempt to buy her and found that she had already been killed. Mike Eathorne, the Manager at Meramist, thought it was highly amusing to tell people that she would be leaving there in a cardboard box.

The tragic end for Courting Magic galvanised many, many people to fight for change. Ultimately, the actions that started with her have culminated in Shepp Meats losing their Meramist contract.

Her story made brought home the reality of horse slaughter to a large number of people. That this beautiful mare that had done her best by her humans, that had relationships of trust with people, could end up on a French plate is an abomination.

VLANDYS VERSUS LEONARD

VLANDYS VERSUS LEONARD

WHEN RACING'S P.R. WORLD STARTS EATING ITSELFVicky Leonard — a public relations professional who has built a business around promoting and monetising pro-racing initiatives — has publicly confirmed she has received a formal legal letter (commonly referred to as a...

read more
RACING YOUNG HORSES IS NOT GOOD

RACING YOUNG HORSES IS NOT GOOD

WHAT SCIENCE & EVERY OTHER HORSE SPORT TELLS US...The racing industry insists that starting horses young — and racing them at two years old — is not only harmless, but beneficial. According to this narrative, early racing “strengthens bones,” prepares horses for...

read more
RACING INDUSTRY ADDICTED TO CLICK BAIT

RACING INDUSTRY ADDICTED TO CLICK BAIT

THE RED FLAGS THE RACING INDUSTRY WANTS YOU TO IGNOREThe horse racing industry loves to paint itself as “tradition,” “sport,” and “heritage.” But online? It behaves like a bargain-bin influencer desperate to stay relevant. From Facebook to Instagram to TikTok,...

read more
ELECTRIC SHOCK? COCAINE? FRAUD?

ELECTRIC SHOCK? COCAINE? FRAUD?

THE SHINE, THE SPIN & THE TRUTHThe Australian horse racing industry is desperately committed to polishing its image — and nobody illustrates that better than trainer Ben Currie, whose name has appeared recently again in upbeat feature stories promoting his...

read more
FEMALE JOCKEY JAMIE MELHAM SUSPENDED

FEMALE JOCKEY JAMIE MELHAM SUSPENDED

BLOOD DOESN'T MATTER?We are still left wondering: if a horse in any other equestrian sport had presented with a bleeding mouth, as Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours did, would they have been declared the winner?In show jumping, eventing, dressage — even recreational...

read more
ROTHFURY A TRAGIC TALE

ROTHFURY A TRAGIC TALE

THE FORGOTTEN 4-YEAR-OLDWhile the party vibes rolled across Australia on #MelbourneCup2025, a young horse named Rothfury was dying on a racetrack in Queensland after suffering a catastrophic injury to his near fore carpus. We first learned about Rothfury’s death...

read more

Join us on social media and become a keyboard warrior.

Don't miss out. Join the cause & subscribe to our mailing list to receive the latest breaking news from our team.

Just one more step, please check your email and confirm your subscription.