Champion racehorse turned into roast: Allegations that 'other racehorses were also slaughtered'

The slaughter and serving of Smart Latch, a horse that raced at the Adana Yeşiloba Hippodrome and won three times, as roast beef has caused a major stir in the country. DNA analyses confirmed that the meat served at a soup kitchen belonging to the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality belonged to Smart Latch.

SOLD FOR ROAST

According to allegations, Smart Latch, who retired after his racing career due to a fracture in his leg, was sold for 50 thousand liras to be slaughtered and turned into roast meat. Authorities suggest that not only this horse, but other racehorses have also disappeared in a similar manner.

An investigation launched after it was determined that the meat in a meal distributed at a soup kitchen affiliated with the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality was "equine" revealed that the meat belonged to Smart Latch. DNA tests confirmed that the meat was from the mare that had raced at the Adana Yeşiloba Hippodrome and won three times.

THE STORY OF SMART LATCH

Smart Latch, owned by Suat Topçu, was retired after his racing career due to a fracture in his leg. Although his owner wanted to use the horse for breeding, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry did not permit this due to the risk of fracture. Smart Latch, whose value exceeded 500 thousand liras in his youth, was used in various events, TV series shoots, and equestrian activities after retirement. The horse, which was leased to a farm for a while, was later donated to an equestrian club.

ALLEGATION OF BEING SOLD BY THE CLUB

According to a report by Yenişafak, information was provided about a month ago that Smart Latch had died. However, it is alleged that the club to which the horse was donated sold the animal to a famous supermarket chain in Mersin for 50 thousand liras. After being taken to Mersin, the horse was sent to slaughter. These developments have raised major questions about the process during which the horse went missing.

WERE OTHER HORSES SLAUGHTERED TOO?

Allegations have surfaced that some other horses in the region have also gone missing with claims that they "died and were buried." It is claimed that the fate of some horses used for equestrian purposes is unknown and that the traces of these animals have been lost. Furthermore, the fate of horses that became idle after horse-drawn carriages were banned on the Princes' Islands in Istanbul remains a subject of debate.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

The allegation that "equine meat" was found in the roast beef distributed at the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality's soup kitchen created a major public debate. The incident came to light when a citizen noticed a foreign object in their meal. Once it was understood that the piece was a microchip, a complaint was filed with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

In the examination conducted by teams affiliated with the Ministry, it was determined that the chip found in the food was a tracking chip belonging to an English racehorse named Smart Latch, which had raced at the Adana Yeşiloba Hippodrome. Following this, a sample was taken from the food for DNA analysis. The analyses revealed that the roast contained equine meat. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced this finding to the public in the adulteration list published on March 12, 2026.

Examinations determined that the meat in the roast belonged to the racehorse named Smart Latch, which had run at the Adana Yeşiloba Hippodrome. The horse, which had three victories, made its first race on April 21, 2024, at the Adana Hippodrome and finished the race in second place. It later won the two races it participated in. It ran its last race on October 14, 2025, and finished in seventh place.

It was learned that Smart Latch retired from the tracks after the race due to a bone problem in his leg. The horse's owner, Suat Topçu, stated that the animal was handed over to be given to an equestrian club free of charge after its racing career.

However, according to allegations, the horse was later slaughtered illegally. It was claimed that the slaughtered meat was put on the market as "beef" and that a portion of this meat was sold to the soup kitchen affiliated with the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality.

Following the incident, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry took the statement of the horse's owner, Suat Topçu. Topçu said that they first wanted to evaluate Smart Latch for breeding, but this was not possible because a veterinary check revealed a problem with her uterus. He stated that the horse was then handed over to a former jockey to be given to an equestrian club.

Topçu expressed that he was in great shock following the incident and stated that an investigation had been launched to uncover those responsible. He also reminded that thanks to microchips placed in the necks of racehorses, their identity information and movements can be tracked.

In a statement regarding the matter, the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality reported that meat purchases for the soup kitchen are carried out through open tender and that all deliveries are accepted within the framework of veterinary inspection and official documents. The municipality announced that the supply process is being re-examined following the emergence of the allegations and that laboratory analysis results have been requested.

News Source: 12punto