CONTENT WARNING: Graphic images
A former Victorian racehorse trainer has had dozens of horses seized as part of a disturbing animal cruelty investigation by RSPCA Victoria.
Maxine Fraser — who also goes by the surname Galpin — has been trending on social media after photos of malnourished horses went viral, sparking public outrage and renewed scrutiny of animal welfare laws.
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The widely-circulated images showed underweight horses, carcasses and what activists claim was a mare recently killed in a paddock containing stallions, young colts and freshly born foals.
Fraser lost her racing licence in 2016 after Racing Victoria deemed her not a “fit and proper person” and found her facilities failed to meet required standards. Her appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in 2017 was unsuccessful.
On Thursday, RSPCA Victoria inspectors executed a second warrant at Fraser’s Mornington Peninsula property to seize 35 horses as part of a current investigation.
A large operation is currently underway with a team of 10 in attendance at the property to help take animals into RSPCA care.
Photos taken from earlier this year by protesters show Fraser’s horses with poor body scores. Credit: Facebook. RSPCA Victoria CEO Liz Walker said the seizure was a “significant operation” with the first warrant that was issued last week providing the RSPCA to take action and seize horses from Fraser’s property.
“This needs a lot of expertise, and there is a whole team of people working on this,” she said.
“We want to ensure the public we are doing everything we can within the powers of this legislation.”
Animal rights group Farm Transparency Project (FTP) claims a recent incident on Fraser’s property resulted in the death of a mare known as ‘Willow’, reportedly killed during a violent altercation with the resident stallions, with her week-old foal being reported as dead.
FTP said it entered the property in September and discovered a freshly deceased Willow partially buried in dirt. However, footage reviewed by 7NEWS.com.au and published on September 24 found that the mare dead in the video is not the same horse featured earlier in the footage alive with a foal.
However, the broodmare’s swollen belly can be seen in the footage oozing blood and bodily fluid, with puncture holes seen across her body and what looks to be damage either caused by stallions or a recent traumatic birth.
FTP have since confirmed the horse was misidentified by the protesters who submitted the mare and foal footage.
RSPCA confirmed a dead mare had been taken from the property for an autopsy, however it was found the mare’s death was found not have breached animal welfare legislation.
A bay horse was found by protesters to have died and was being eaten by Fraser’s dogs Credit: Facebook Animal rights group FTP entered Fraser’s property to find a dead mare. Credit: Farm Transparency Project The case has attracted growing criticism of the RSPCA, with protesters, led by Carly Wines questioning why animals had not been removed from Fraser’s Mornington Peninsula property.
The group campaigning for the removal of Fraser’s animals continue to share images of underweight horses, citing poor property conditions, overcrowding and unsafe mixing of stallions and colts with mares and foals.
“If I were Maxine, I’d surrender the animals, sell the property and live a peaceful life,” one protester said.
“It’s better than enduring constant visits from the RSPCA and police.”
White ribbons have been tied to the property’s fence by the group to honour horses the activists claim have been mistreated under Fraser’s care.
A group of protesters have been monitoring the horses nearly all year Credit: Facebook Despite the outcry, the RSPCA said it was restricted by current legislation.
Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (POCTAA), inspectors are unable to seize the animals unless there is a clear breach of minimum care requirements outlined in Fraser’s welfare plan — a loophole flagged in a 2023 government consultation paper.
The plan is a non-binding, confidential arrangement that allows the animals to remain under the control of the person accused of neglect, with an expectation of voluntary improvement over time.
Local council can’t even step in with the Mornington Peninsula Shire having no bylaw restrictions or horse related policy to limit the amount of horses Fraser has.
FTP’s drone over Fraser’s property showed poor fencing. Credit: Farm Transparency Project The Mornington Peninsula Shire declined to comment due to a separate ongoing investigation.
Racing Victoria confirmed Fraser is not the registered owner of any active racehorses and no horses at her property are currently racing. The organisation said it stands ready to assist with the rehoming of any thoroughbreds that may be surrendered or seized.
Fraser has not been charged.
7NEWS.com.au made repeated attempts to contact Fraser.
To report animal cruelty in Victoria, visit RSPCA Victoria or contact Victoria Police if an animal is in immediate danger.