The Kravys abattoir, in Botosani, northeastern Romania, slaughters 3, 000 to 4, 000 horses annually and exports the meat to Sweden, the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Poland.
It could have been even better for the home side but Sturridge headed wide from a late cross by fellow substitute Marc Albrighton and England will take a slender lead into the second leg in Botosani on Tuesday.