The traditional Mnarija races are dangerous and cruel, according to the Animal Rights Coalition that is calling for vets to be present at the event.
Ahead of this evening’s races in Saqqajja, coalition member Myriam Kirmond is insisting that although the races have been held for centuries, they endanger the lives of several horses.
The coalition is urging the authorities to have medical professionals on site for the horses.
“Yes, it’s an old tradition but so is bull fighting; that it doesn’t make it right. There are paramedics there for spectators but the animals need protecting too. Quite frankly, it’s wicked,” Ms Kirmond said.
Dozens of horses and ponies take part in the races, held on the feast day dedicated to St Peter and St Paul. The animals bullet up Racecourse Road, in Rabat for a chance to don a winner’s ribbon.
The races are a family affair attracting large crowds to the Saqqajja area where the event has been held ever since it was introduced in the mid 1500s.
A spectator and a horse were severely injured during a race back in 2010. The man, who had ventured past the protective boundaries, had suffered chest and head injuries after a horse smashed against the steal barricades.
In previous years, the races used to be organised by the National Folklore Commission but have since been passed on to the Malta Racing Club that is responsible for all horse races on the island.
Club member Michael Vella said that while precautions, such as the presence of the mounted police and St John’s Ambulances, were taken, there would be no equine vets present at this year’s instalment.
Equine vet James Azzopardi said: “This is definitely a legal issue. There should be a law demanding that a vet is present for any races. What if something went wrong?”
The Animal Welfare Council is responsible for advising the government on animal rights and legislation but it has been defunct for several weeks after its members’ resignations were accepted last May.
Ms Kirmond had offered to resign from the council along with the rest of the mem-bers after the general election in March.
“We were discussing the introduction of a law to have vets present at all races but the council has been nonexistent,” she said.
Animal Rights Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes confirmed that the board had been dissolved adding that the parliamentary secretariat was in the process of reorganising the council.
“This issue is top priority for us. The council will be formed shortly and this matter will be dealt with soon,” Mr Galdes promised.
The term Mnarja is believed to originate from the Italian word luminaria (illumination). Meant as a festival of light, the term is thought to refer to the lighting of the Mdina cathedral.