Footage sent to Lovin Malta has captured the moment a horse slipped on the asphalt and crashed into hay bales during traditional street racing in Victoria, Gozo yesterday.
The incident occurred during the traditional horse races held along Republic Street as part of the Santa Marija festivities.
In the footage a horse approaching the end of the course appears to attempt to slow down before losing its footing on the road surface.
The horse then falls and crashes into hay bales positioned at the end of the course, throwing its rider in the process.
An eyewitness who attended the races claimed three horses were unable to stop properly on the asphalt, crashing into the hay bales one after another.
Lovin Malta has since been informed that the rider of the first horse suffered a broken foot, while the horses involved are understood to be okay.
The eyewitness raised concerns about the safety measures in place at the event, particularly given the horses were racing and attempting to stop on an asphalt surface.
Concerns surrounding the traditional horse races through Victoria’s streets are not new.
Back in 2015, the Animal Rights Group called for the races to be moved from Republic Street to the horse-racing track in Xewkija, arguing that its surface was better suited to horses. The Animal Welfare Directorate also called for the races to take place early in the morning or later in the evening.
Do you think more safety measures are needed for traditional horse races?
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Dylan Attard is a Social Media Executive at Lovin Malta and a proud Gozitan with a passion for digital media, content creation, and social trends. Outside of work, you’ll usually find him at the gym, watching series or doomscrolling.
