The chief executive of Racing Australia, Barry O’Farrell, has said prosecutions are likely and the Queensland government has announced an investigation following an ABC report revealing widespread acts of animal cruelty against racehorses.

Speaking on Friday morning, O’Farrell said he was “appalled” and “shocked” by reports aired on the 7.30 program on Thursday night which revealed that hundreds of healthy Australian racehorses are being sent to the slaughterhouse each year.

Footage showed horses being beaten, kicked and shocked with electric prods while they lay dying in abattoirs, and raised questions about the racing industry’s claims about its rehoming program for racehorses.