30 March 2023 , 10:42
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Legendary Australian trainer Gai Waterhouse has launched a passionate defence of horse racing saying those who wanted to ban the sport made her blood boil.
Waterhouse, often described as ‘racing’s first lady’, said too many people had become “weak and prissy” about racing instead of standing up for the industry.
As a child actor Waterhouse appeared in a 1960s episode of Dr Who but went on to become the world’s most successful female racehorse trainer with more than 4,000 winners, 153 at Group 1 level.
Waterhouse, 68, who since 2016 has trained in a partnership with Adrian Bott in Sydney, spoke about horse deaths and injuries when addressing a ladies lunch, which was met with cheers and applause.
"I am like a football trainer.," she said. "I am an equine athletic trainer. My job - and the kids that I work with - is to look after and love those horses.
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"So I can't stand it when I hear that crap about horses being killed and all that. It gets my blood boiling. Because it's just not what happens."
She added: “Accidents happen in any business. Accidents happen in any sport, injuries to your legs if you are a footballer or if you are a racing car driver, it happens and that's life.
"People have become so weak and prissy nowadays, instead of being strong and loving the industry that we love."
Waterhouse's experience within racing needs no introduction, as she was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for "outstanding contribution to thoroughbred racing" back in 2000. Seven years later she was also inducted into Australian Racing's Hall of Fame following her late father in that journey.