A government investigation in Turkey revealed that Smart Latch, a racehorse with three wins in 13 races, was found in food served at a soup kitchen after its microchip was detected in a meat dish called kavurma. Authorities confirmed the presence of single-hooved animal meat and traced the microchip back to the Adana Yesiloba Hippodrome, where Smart Latch last competed in October 2025. The horse’s owner, Suat Topcu, explained that after veterinary checks deemed Smart Latch unsuitable for breeding due to uterine collapse, he gave the horse away without transferring ownership, which may have led to its unlawful slaughter.

The incident has prompted a criminal inquiry to identify those responsible for the illegal slaughter and sale of the horse meat as beef. Mersin Metropolitan Municipality stated that meat for their soup kitchen is procured through official tenders and inspected under strict regulations, emphasizing their commitment to public health. Following the allegations, they re-examined the procurement process and requested additional laboratory analyses to ensure compliance with food safety standards.