A retired racehorse has been found shot dead in his field near Chislehurst in South East London, in a seemingly random attack.
Bullet wound
Last Friday, police and vets were called to a field near Kemnal Manor Stables, where a horse had been found shot in the head. Staff had checked on the horse, known as Woolfie, only to find him lying on the ground with a significant bullet wound to the head.
“Whoever did it, they went up to the horse and shot him at point blank range in the head,” said stable manager, Justine Bowdery.
It was first considered that an airgun had been used but it is now believed a handgun was the weapon that caused the animal’s death.
Racing career
The 11-year-old grey thoroughbred was trained by Gary Moore. He ran under Rules a total of 58 times, winning eight races and amassing nearly £100,000 of prize money during his career.
Racing under the name Woolfall Treasure, Woolfie’s jockeys included former champions AP McCoy and Richard Hughes. Since his retirement in 2013, Wooflie had been cared for by owner, Myra McKenna.
“He meant everything to me, absolutely everything. I spent nearly every night going down to see him and I’d just give him attention and look after him,” Myra told The Standard, “Police said it was somebody who had a powerful weapon that shouldn’t be on the streets.”
Investigating
Detectives from Bromley CID are investigating and there is no confirmation, as yet, as to what type of gun was used.
Justine Bowdery has pledged £3,000 as a reward for information that leads to the perpetrator/s, while friends of Myra McKenna have set up a fundraising page to help pay for Woolfie’s cremation.
Myra ended by saying, “I just want to say what a special horse he was. He was such a beautiful animal.”