The Animal Welfare Directorate has recently stated the Santa Marija Horse Race should be held in the early morning or late evenings and the Animal Rights Group have called for the races to be held at Xewkija's horse racing track which has a substrate better suited to the horses. The races are however scheduled to be held on Saturday 15th August starting at 2:30pm along Republic Street in Rabat, Gozo with prizes presented by the Minister for Gozo, Dr Anton Refalo and the Mayor of Victoria, Dr Samuel Azzopardi.
SPCA Malta welcomes the Animal Welfare Director's stand on the issue and measures being taken to ensure the animals' welfare on site this Saturday.
"It is unnecessary for the purpose of celebrating Santa Marija to hold the event in the scorching afternoon sun and on the road when this can be moved to a cooler time of day and a surface suited to the horses," says Sarah Decesare Dunkerley, Chief Operations Officer at SPCA Malta.
Deputy Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare, Tony Tyler commented saying, "Equine welfare must be the first consideration of any horse race organiser. Factors such as temperature, surface and the facilities available to ensure that horse can compete without undue stress or risk of injury should be uppermost in organisers mind."
The society draws attention to a Legal Notice that was promised in 2004 that would limit horse racing on arterial roads and calls for tangible action by law makers on the matter.
Note: Photo accompanying this article is not of the Santa Marija horse races.