It’s Been a Long Time Comin’ – Shamrock Road Finally Liberated
Animal Stories from All-Creatures.org

FROM Mary Johnson, HorseracingWrongs.org
November 2019

Shamrock’s servitude and suffering being 'raced' are finally at an end. Here’s to many years of love and security for this beautiful boy!

The story of Shamrock Road began four and a half years ago when Patrick brought the then three-year-old gelding to the attention of HorseracingWrong readers. At that time, Shamrock had been raced 12 times in 18 weeks and was owned by The IRA and trained by the notorious Edward Sexton.

 By year’s end – his very first in racing – Shamrock had been put to the whip an unconscionable 24 times.

A group of advocates began to track Shamrock’s circuitous racing career. In February ’16, he “won” for the last time – and in the process, was “claimed” (sold) yet again.

In less than five years, Shamrock was raced 61 times, “earning” a relatively paltry $42,000 – the definition of a low-level claimer. And there are thousands more just like him.

There were several attempts (offers) to retire Shamrock from racing, all ultimately failing. Our options were limited. We either had to patiently wait for an opportunity to present itself, or we had to claim him (Shamrock was “For Sale” prior to all of his final 15 races). Through a contact, I let the owner know that we would welcome an opportunity to purchase him and within a couple months, that opportunity came. Two days ago, Shamrock Road was delivered to a barn where Rose Smith and I have boarded other horses, and he has settled in well.

Shamrock’s servitude and suffering are finally at an end. Here’s to many years of love and security for this beautiful boy!

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