COURTING MAGIC

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.

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