Microchip found in plate reveals major scandal: Racehorse with 3 wins turned into roasted meat!

The incident, which emerged during food inspections, came to light after a chip was discovered in a meal served at a soup kitchen. As a result of investigations and laboratory analyses, it was determined that the roasted meat was made from horse meat.

REVEALED IN ADULTERATION LIST

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced in the adulteration list published on March 12, 2026, that "equine meat" was detected in the roasted meat prepared at a soup kitchen belonging to the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality.

According to the report in the Food Bulletin, a citizen eating at the soup kitchen noticed a foreign object in their roasted meat and reported the situation to the Ministry.

RACEHORSE MICROCHIP FOUND IN PLATE

Acting upon the complaint, teams from the General Directorate of Food and Control determined that the foreign object found in the food was an electronic identification chip used for racehorses.

The investigation revealed that the chip belonged to Smart Latch, a Thoroughbred horse that participated in races at the Adana Yeşiloba Hippodrome. The teams took samples from the food and sent them for laboratory analysis.

DNA ANALYSIS CONFIRMED HORSE MEAT

As a result of DNA analyses conducted in laboratories, it was determined that the meat served as roasted meat was produced from horse meat. The investigations also identified the source of the meat as Smart Latch.

IT HAD 3 WINS

The Thoroughbred racehorse Smart Latch began its racing career on April 21, 2024, at the Adana Hippodrome. The horse finished its first race in second place and later won two races, achieving a total of three victories.

Smart Latch ran its final race on October 14, 2025, at the Adana Hippodrome, finishing in seventh place.

RETIRED FROM RACING DUE TO LEG FRACTURE

It was learned that Smart Latch, which was not seen on the tracks again after this race, had its racing career ended due to a small bone fracture in its leg.

It was stated that the horse's owner, Suat Topçu, had handed over Smart Latch to be given to equestrian clubs free of charge.

ALLEGATION OF BEING MARKETED AS "BEEF"

According to the allegations, the horse, which was supposed to be given to equestrian clubs, was later slaughtered illegally. It was claimed that the slaughtered meat was marketed as beef and that a portion of this meat was sold to the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality's soup kitchen.

HORSE OWNER EXPLAINS THE PROCESS

Speaking to the Food Bulletin, the horse's owner, Suat Topçu, said that Smart Latch suffered pain when it started to sprint during races due to the small fracture in its leg and was therefore retired from racing.

Topçu also stated that they planned to use the horse for breeding.

"IT WAS SAID IT COULD NOT BE USED AS A MOTHER"

Stating that the Ministry of Agriculture requested information from him regarding the fate of the horse, Topçu expressed that the veterinarian's assessment concluded that Smart Latch had a problem with its uterus and could not be used for breeding. 

News Source: 12punto