This is a clear breach of everything the industry has told us.
Professor Paul McGreevy
"This is a clear breach of everything the industry has told us,"he said.
"The truth that has been revealed is that thoroughbreds are entering knackeries and abattoirs and that their treatment within those facilities can be appalling."
The investigation also aired accusations of multiple instances of animal cruelty at the slaughterhouses racehorses are being sent to.
A racehorse in the slaughterhouse.Credit:ABC7.30
The program said that,despite racing's peak body implementing rules requiring the registration and tracking of horses from their birth to their retirement,racehorses are still being killed in slaughterhouses on a weekly basis.
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys responded by saying he was not aware of any NSW racehorses being sent to slaughterhouses.
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However,he said if it was occurring the state body would"put the full force of the law"against offenders.
Racing Australiareleased a statement on Thursday night saying that the"provision of appropriate care and attention of thoroughbred horses is a critical priority in the administration of racing across Australia and for the people involved in the sport".
"Each year State and Territory racing authorities invest tens of millions of dollars in integrity,veterinary services and equine welfare programs to try and achieve the best possible outcomes
for horses,"the statement said.
ABC's 7.30 program revealed alleged acts of animal cruelty as racehorses are sent to slaughterhouses. Credit:ABC 7.30
The organisation said it backed the proposal for a National Traceability Register for All Horses,which is being considered by a Senate committee,to ensure federal and state animal welfare authorities had ownership and location information for thoroughbreds.
The program struck a nerve with viewers,with hundreds responding on social media as the hashtag #horseracingkills trended on Twitter.
Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi described the revelations as"absolutely devastating".
"We need Special Commissions of Inquiry in each state to investigate wastage and animal cruelty in horse racing,"she tweeted.
Animal welfare charity the RSPCA tweeted it was"horrified but sadly not surprised".
"If the racing industry was serious about animal[welfare] ... they would be grateful these flaws have been brought to their attention,"the tweet said.
The program was presented by investigative reporter Caro Meldrum-Hanna,the journalist who exposed the treatment of juvenile detainees at Don Dale in 2016,and the greyhound racing scandal in 2015.
with AAP