Walsh blasted over TV comment about giving horse a hiding
RTE pundit sorry for remarks after mount refused to jump
I’m sorry if I offended anyone. I was probably a bit
over the top TED WALSH RACING
TRAINER YESTERDAY
RTE racing’s Ted Walsh apologised yesterday after animal welfare campaigners condemned his comment that a “hiding wouldn’t be good enough” for a racehorse.
The award-winning champion trainer blasted the mount on TV when it refused a jump at Punchestown at the weekend throwing its rider to the ground.
Critics said “a hiding” for a horse would be in breach of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which states that any action that causes unnecessary suffering to an animal is an offence.
They challenged RTE to clarify if it condones Walsh’s comments – with bosses at the State broadcaster last night telling the Irish Mirror they have no comment to add to Walsh’s apology.
When contacted by the Irish Mirror, the 72-year-old said: “That’s the great thing about freedom of speech everyone has their opinion.
“I was more worried about an injury to the rider, the young fella who was thrown against the bank with the horse refusing to jump.
“There was no damage done to the horse. I could stand up to anybody as far as looking after animals goes.
“I look after them 100% and my record will show that.
“I have kept horses well into their 30s and my care for horses will stand the test of time.
“I have no problems with anyone criticising me – people can say what they like.
“But I can stand tall and proud about my care of horses. I was probably a bit over the top in the commentary.
“It was spur of the moment and I was concerned about the rider.
“I apologise if I offended anybody. But I say my record with horses stands to be tested by anybody. I didn’t mean to offend anyone.”
His TV comments were made on RTE as six-year-old Transprint refused a hurdle sending jockey BT Stone tumbling to the turf in the three-mile
Dooley Insurance Group Cross Country Chase.
In the live broadcast, former Aintree Grand National winner Walsh told viewers: “He’s a dirty rotten so and so for refusing that.
“I tell you one thing, a hiding wouldn’t be good enough for him.
“Look at that dirty rotten so and so. No intention of jumping. He gave him [the jockey] a horrible fall.
“It’s a wonder he didn’t follow him over and stand on him.
“God, he’s a chicken-hearted so and so. Dirty rotten, cowardly so and so.”
The controversy comes more than five months after Walsh defended himself when he said he was “in the wrong place at the wrong time” at a Co Kildare stud farm as Department of Agriculture officials arrived with gardai and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.
Last Saturday’s RTE footage has been
viewed on Youtube and shared on social media by animal welfare campaign group Ban Bloodsports.
It prompted some of its supporters to say the commentary made them “sick to the stomach”.
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports director Aideen Yourell accused Walsh of having “disturbing” and “disgusting” views.
She told the Irish Mirror: “It is against the law to harm an animal under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.”
Ms Yourell compared the comments to last year’s controversy involving trainer Gordon Elliott who was banned for six months after a photo emerged showing him sitting on a dead horse.
She said: “Ted Walsh is venting about the horse in a horrible way, which is worse than what Gordon Elliott did.”
The animal welfare group revealed 100 racehorses “died during or after races around Ireland in 2021, plus 30 so far this year”.
A spokeswoman for RTE refused to comment and said: “Ted Walsh has already apologised for it so we have nothing to add.”