Updated 5.15pm with new video
The Animal Welfare Commissioner has lamented a lack of regulations after the Santa Marija horse races in Victoria once again took place in the heat of mid-afternoon on the feast day, despite guidelines from the veterinary authorities that the traditional event should be moved to the morning or late afternoon.
“These events can easily be held between 7am and 9am, or after 6pm, without disrupting the religious activities,” commissioner Emanuel Buhagiar told Times of Malta. “It’s not just the race itself: many of the horses make a long journey and have to wait a long time once there.”
READ: Traditional festa horse races under court scrutiny
Mr Buhagiar said that while the short races did not pose particular animal welfare concerns in themselves, the scorching afternoon temperatures - the heat index on Wednesday topped 44 degrees - were barely tolerable for humans, and raised similar concerns for the horses.
Traditions are important and I have nothing against them, but we need to look out for the wellbeing of the animal.- Animal Welfare Commissioner
“Traditions are important and I have nothing against them, but we need to look out for the wellbeing of the animal,” he said. “We need regulations on horse races just as we do with karozzini. It’s true that the majority keep their horses well, but if you can do something better, then why not do it?”
Mr Buhagiar has previously called for a similar ban on horse-drawn carriages during the hottest hours of the day, warning that current legislation did not prioritise animals' wellbeing.
READ: 'Common sense to hold Santa Marija horse races in the morning'
While there is currently no law that would prohibit horse races taking place in the afternoon sun, the Veterinary Regulation Directorate has published guidelines advising against horse races in extreme weather or between 11am to 4pm in July and August.
The Santa Marija races are monitored by veterinarians and animal welfare officers to ensure the horses’ wellbeing.
The races date back to 1587 and were originally held to encourage people to rear horses and similar animals that could be used to defend the island during an attack. Nowadays, they are organised by the Leone Philharmonic Society and partly funded by the government.
Horse falls near finish line
One of the horses in Wednesday's races fell near the finish line, prompting a commotion as bystanders raced to get the animal back on its feet. An eyewitness said the horse appeared to lose its footing on a synthetic turf covering at the end of the course. The horse was helped back onto its feet within minutes and did not appear to be seriously injured.