Newsroom
Less than a day after a 67-year-old worker was killed at the Nicosia Hippodrome by a panicked horse, industry insiders are stunned to learn that the very same animal has been cleared to race again next Sunday.
The tragedy unfolded when the horse, considered the favorite in Sunday’s race, bolted out of control during a pre-race presentation. Witnesses say the animal, known to have a phobia and a history of unpredictable behavior, broke free, charged onto the track and fatally struck the veteran employee who tried to guide it back to the stables.
the case is already fueling debate over whether the sport prioritizes betting and profits over safety, including the safety of the animals themselves.
“We’re talking about a 350-kilogram horse,” one insider told 24news, describing the moment the animal, blindfolded and in shock, rammed the worker. “The impact was brutal.”
The news has left the racing community reeling, not only because of the sudden loss of a well-respected colleague, but also because officials are allowing the same horse to compete again in just a matter of days.
“This particular horse has a phobia,” the insider stressed. “We get permission for him to run. Yesterday they gave permission because he was the favorite.”
The decision has raised eyebrows and sparked outrage. Critics say it’s almost unthinkable that, in the wake of such a fatal accident, the horse is being treated as though nothing happened.
The Labor Inspectorate has opened an investigation into possible lapses in safety measures. While horse racing accidents are rare in Cyprus, the last fatal incident at the Hippodrome occurred about a decade ago; the case is already fueling debate over whether the sport prioritizes betting and profits over safety, including the safety of the animals themselves.
For now, the plan is for the horse to race again on October 5, this time without any pre-race parade in front of bettors. But for many, the question hangs in the air: how is it acceptable to put a horse with a known phobia, one that has already taken a man’s life, back on the track so soon?
