One year ago, we filmed the bodies of two horses at disgraced ex-racehorse trainer Maxine Fraser’s property in Mount Eliza, Victoria. Less than a week after we published our footage, the RSPCA responded to years of tireless advocacy work and raided the property, seizing 35 horses. Many people assumed that was the end of the cruelty, not realising that the RSPCA had left many animals behind including 20 goats, 18 horses (stallions, geldings and colts) and an unknown number of dogs.
Since the seizure on 25 September last year there has been a number of horrific injuries due to stallions fighting and the state of disrepair of the property. These include serious wounds to the neck, stomach and chest, as well as conditions resulting from chronic neglect, including poor dental health and hoof care. One stallion (Zorro) has disappeared, presumed dead while one other was seized by the RSPCA (along with a dog) on the 11th of May 2026.
Despite consistent reports regarding the conditions by locals, the goat numbers dwindled from 20 on the day of the RSPCA raid last year to 11 on 22 April this year. On May 22, the Minister of Agriculture announced that the conditions had been investigated and the case was closed, only for two more goats to die just three days later. The goats have all now been seized by the Department of Agriculture or died. The conditions on the property as well as the wounds are all documented and reported to the RSPCA by civilian investigators; however, they refuse to intervene and remove the remaining horses. They are also yet to lay any charges against Maxine Fraser for animal cruelty or neglect.
