IPOH:  Aug 24, 2010

CLASSIC SPARKLE, the mare who triggered the cancellation of races last weekend and this weekend after a strangles infection, has been put down.

In compliant to Section 19 Animal Act 1953 (Act 647), veterinarians from the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Perak carried out the destruction order in an isolation room. The carcass was later sent to the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) here for a post-mortem.

“She (CLASSIC SPARKLE) was a complicated case and we had to deal with it carefully under the circumstances. Her 'carrier' status is a risk factor concerning 600 horses at the Perak Turf Club. Therefore, we were left with no choice but to put her down.

“Futhermore, her condition would also have resulted in her periodically shedding infectious bacteria for more than 18 months. We don’t enjoy putting down any animals but in this case, we are duty-bound to do it for the sake of the industry. We’ve to look at the bigger picture,” explained Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam, director of DVS Perak.

Purchased for RM30,000 at the National Premier Sale, CLASSIC SPARKLE earned RM62,000 from one win and five placings in 10 starts.

The Peter Lee-trained CLASSIC SPARKLE (Pacfic Prince - Little Girl by Prince Of Praise) was sent to the Hillsview Spelling Station near here on July 31 and nine days later developed a temperature and was sent to the PRTC Equine Hospital.

Dr Quaza added that the situation in Perak is under control but would still carry out all management procedures including regular blood test on all the horses in the state.

“We have about 1,000 horses here in Perak and we will be taking swabs from all of them for testing starting today (yesterday),” he said.

He added that the department has also taken swabs from the 24 horses at the PRTC and another 33 from the Hillsview Spelling Station for examination at the VRI.

The state DVS has also activated their operation room to closely monitor and contain this outbreak.

Meanwhile, the one-day Novelty Meeting called by the Selangor Turf Club on Aug 31 will go ahead as scheduled.