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08.
Inglis Approves X-Rays
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03/04/2002 |
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William Inglis and Son has backed own on the issue of x-raying of horses sold at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
The question of horses being x-rayed before or after they pass through the sale ring was brought to a head by the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s refusal to participate as a buyer at the sales without an x-ray guarantee.
Managing director Reg Inglis stood firm but in the last 24 hours has done an about face due to many leading vendors at the sales agreeing to private x-rays of their horses.
Inglis notified the HKJC by facsimile letter on Tuesday that x-ray criteria has been put in place for the Australian Easter Yearling Sale, raising the possibility that the club may still buy through the sale ring instead of negotiating privately with leading studs.
HKJC executive director Winfired Engelbrecht-Bresges applauded the change in attitude by Inglis.
"This is a milestone for Hong Kong owners, and owners everywhere, because it provides protection against buying an unsound horse," Engelbrecht-Bresges said in a HKJC statement.
"We are pleased our stance on this issue has obtained this result, and we will continue to do whatever we can to protect our owners."
The HKJC notified sales organisations that it insisted on the right to x-ray any horse it purchased, with the proviso that if any of five specified conditions were found, the horse could be returned without penalty.
The five conditions were bone cysts, osteochondrosis of stifle or hock, fractures, ringbone, and rotation of the pedal bone.
The criteria agreed to by Inglis is based on a prospective buyer getting prior consent from the vendor to have a horse submitted to radiographic examination after purchase.
If any of the five conditions are revealed by x-ray, the buyer can return the horse without penalty.
The x-ray criteria is in line with conditions in use at major international sales.
Aushorse, representing a number of Australia’s major breeders, adopted a resolution supporting the x-ray criteria last Friday.
HKJC agents are attending the Easter sale.
By Chris Scholtz
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