I have confirmed that 3-year-old Run Albert Run is dead after breaking down last weekend at Penn. The gelding had been under his fourth different trainer/owner team in nine months: Michael Pino/Run Horsey Run for two races, Robert Mosco/Jack Armstrong for one race, Chris Landicini/Carl Hess for two races, and Kimberly Graci/Carl Hess for two races, including the fatal one. Bought and sold, bought and sold, bought and sold. Dead.
Also, 5-year-old Frannie G (trainer Wayne French, owner Dennis Lovell) is dead from a pre-race fall at Churchill Downs on September 21st. Apparently, she reared after jockey Didiel Osorio mounted, fell, hit her head, and died instantly. This is what the industry calls a freak accident, a “non-racing” fatality. But, horseracing, your turn as Pontius Pilate fools no one: This mare’s death cannot be cleansed from your hands.
I take offense at using Frannie G any horse at anytime can fall and hit their heads horses are creatures of flight they spook they get hurt and yes sometimes they die..even riding horses.
Racing apologists predictably become indignant when the “non-racing” deaths are lumped with the in-competition ones. But it is what it is – Frannie G was a victim of this vile industry.
Bellesforeverr, you take “offense” at using Frannie G as an example of the atrocities that occur in racing? Wow! I take offense at the drugs, both legal and illegal, that are injected into the horses daily! I take offense at Mr. Drug O’Neill, who continues to rack up drug violations but is still allowed to train horses in this sinister, and corrupt, industry. I take offense at “babies” being raced at the ages of two, three, and four, all for the almighty dollar. I take offense at the nurse mare foals which, as we both know, are by-products of the freaking TB industry. I take offense at horses that are injured on the tracks and, because of those injuries, are limited to a low level second career. I take offense to the racing industry not divulging the names of the horses who snap their legs off every single week throughout this country. I guess those racing folks don’t like to give up the names of their dead. Perhaps it makes racing “look bad”! I take offense at horses being stalled 23 hours a day when anyone, with minimal intelligence, knows that horses are herd animals. I take offense at the disposal system of the racing industry – slaughter – and many of the horses just “disappear” into the abyss. By the way, the “abyss” is the underground slaughter pipeline. Yes, I’m offended by many things in racing. The list above is the “short” list and that is why I want racing to go bye bye!
Excellent, Mary.
Thank you mary. Well said. Its too bad we can’t make more people see what’s really going on. Horse racing is a vile sport. While the wealthy get dressed up and wear their fancy hats, and sip mint juleps, all this is going on behind the curtain.
I wonder if they knew if they’d care- really care. How do we change this and have it stopped.
People are horrible. Its all blood money.
Patrick how many horses survive the industry to live out good fruitful lives? How many are bred and live each year as opposed to how many that die each year? How many cattle are bred each year and killed by humans to feed humans, christ they don’t even have a chance at life………..bred, fattened up using god knows what steroids and then electrocuted and nail gunned to the forehead before they get to the age of two. Hey, what about Thanksgiving? Don’t turkeys have a right to life? Nah, screw that, why shouldn’t those turkey’s make it onto our plates at thanksgiving, you know the same way as the pigskin makes its way onto the TV in the form of Thanksgiving football………does a pig get skinned alive and live for that football? And then you try to advocate people to spend their money at casino’s, seriously? How many gamblers at casino’s spend their entire weeks wages while their spouse and kids sit at home starving, cold or dirty because the man of the house goes to the casino because he is gonna win big, just one more time, his luck has to change, it has too, he can’t have bad luck forever………..it isn’t luck, it is called the house has the % advantage. Americans lost $119 billion gambling last year 85% of it in casino’s (machines and games) and on the lottery and about 5% on horse racing. How many families, kids and spouses suffered because of that? Maybe you should do some research like you did with horse racing, I’d be interested to know what you come up with.
First, I am vegan. Second, if there is to be gambling, let it be on inanimate objects – leave the horses out of it. They’ve suffered enough.
Ian ” how many horses survive the industry to live out good fruitful lives?” NOT ENOUGH!!!
Perhaps You and Britt05 can help more. Owners who willingly pay trainers day rate of $100+ per horse are not feeling sorry for casino junkie problems.
Ian, once again, the title of this blog is “Horseracing Wrongs”, not “Gamblers Who Lose Money Placing Bets” or “Many Turkeys Slaughtered for Thanksgiving Feasts”. Gambling can be an addiction just like drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and food addiction. For those suffering from addiction, I recommend getting treatment. The folks, who are racing supporters, seem to constantly struggle with the intent of this blog which is to shine a light on racing’s dirty secrets and, as we all know, there are many dirty secrets.
What I find nauseating is that certain horses, such as California Chrome and Wise Dan, get lots of attention. The racing supporters babble about the next big race and then say a prayer that the horses will safely cross the finish line. Why is that? Is it because CC is a “big” money winner? Is it because racing is desperate to find a “feel good” story among all the heartache? I’m not sure, but what I can tell you is that horses like Run Albert Run and Tangible Assets are just as valuable, at least to me, as CC and Wise Dan. In fact, if it wasn’t for these low level horses, there would be NO HORSE RACING. Racing is dependent on these low level horses who, as racing supporters will tell you, “put their lives on the line everyday”. Why should any horse “put its life on the line everyday”? Is it so some low life can place a freaking $5.00 bet? Disgusting….
Patrick gives a “name” to these low level horses that no one cares about and I find that admirable. They are just as worthy as any other horse, even the big name horses. Also, it is challenging, at times, to even get an accounting of the horses that die in the dirt. Racing doesn’t like to give up the names of their dead. Perhaps it makes racing look bad!! If you are unhappy with Patrick’s research, it might be a good idea to start your own blog on another topic that interests you.
Good luck with that
Yesterday, I rooted for Wise Dan while I was at Keeneland after his surge in the stretch to win the Shadwell Turf mile…such a wonderful horse with tremendous , and may I add he won with hand ride, no “abusing” with the whip occurred – and today, I turned around and rooted for my dear friend’s $4,000 claimer who ran his heart out to be 2nd at a “low level track”, Thistledown-and he hasn’t had any “injections” to speak of to make him run faster – no matter what level a horse competes at, they matter to me, claimer or G1 winner. I am probably one of the very few who knows what can go on behind closed doors and loves any horse competing at any level-in fact I follw a few “low level” horses and cheer for them, win or lose. The people I know would never do anything to be detrimental to their horses and are ok if their horse doesn’t earn a check – just as the horse comes back to the barn safe and sound. It is certainly upsetting when a horse breaks down and dies on a racetrack due to this “sinister and corrupt” industry that I am associated with, I hate seeing it as much as you do – I have seen it happen right in front of me and yet I still go to the races I still follow racing – but realize there are more pressing issues in this world that need addressing first before you try to unsuccessfully take down racing. I am all for rescuing and rehabbing horses that are “chewed up and spit out” b this industry and kudos to each and every one of you for doing that, these horses deserve a fulfilling life after their racing careers are over – I wish I had the land and the money to do what you do. I am a good person, liking and supporting the sport of horse racing does not define whether or not I am. This sport needs reform and by God, I will try my hardest to continue to make this sport safer and hold those accountable who abuse their power and privileges.
Oh, yes, the “hell hole” track….Thistledown! Thank you so much for following your friend’s low level horse and cheering for that horse to win. Also, give your friend a big hug since he/she is “okay” if the horse doesn’t bring home a check. Since providing for a horse is quite costly, it is good to know that your friend has the financial resources available to him/her to provide excellent care both now and when the horse is “done” participating in a gambling industry. Refreshing, to say the least! I will also assume that your friend ALWAYS finds wonderful, forever homes for the horses when they retire from racing AND he/she follows up on them regularly. That is to be expected when a horse gives you, and your friend, so much enjoyment. It is the least that you can do, right? Oh, and one more thing…since you, and your friend, love this horse, please say a prayer that the horse is able to make it out of racing in one piece. So many of them are damaged when they are retired that they are limited to low level careers (pleasure, trails) and, sometimes, are only suitable as “pasture pets”. As we both know, people aren’t breaking the doors down to take in a horse that has a bright future as a “pasture pet”!
Now, Britto5, you say that the people you know “would never do anything to be detrimental to their horse” and your friend’s horse hasn’t had any “injections to speak of”. What does that mean…”to speak of “? Does that mean that your friend doesn’t inject, or just injects “sometimes” in order to “cover up” the damage to the cartilage? As you can ascertain, I’m a bit confused! I would also assume, since the people you know would never do anything detrimental to their horses, that their horses do NOT run on Lasix or any of the 26 other medications that are legal here in the state of Ohio. There is no reason to even run a horse on bute since bute is an analgesic (pain killer) as well as an anti-inflammatory. Therefore, I have to assume that your friend runs EVERY horse “clean”. Is that a fair statement? Again, this friend would never do anything detrimental to his/her horse (your words, not mine). I personally believe that your friend is just like 98% of the people in racing whose motto is…drug them and run them…, and I don’t believe that your friend is “okay” with not hitting the board. It might be “okay” once or twice, but, over time, the horse must produce. Racing is a business, not a hobby, unless you have relatively deep pockets.
Now, in my post, I did state that Wise Dan gets lots of attention. When you visited Keeneland, were there thousands of people cheering on WD? When you visited Thistledown, were there thousands of people cheering on ALL the low level horses? I have been to both tracks and, the last time I was at Thistle, it looked like a bomb had gone off, at least on the backside of the track. Therefore, I think it is safe to assume that more people follow WD than follow the low level horses, yet the low level horses keep this gambling industry in business. Also, if WD was a gelding and needed to be retired, I have no doubt that many people would step up to provide him a home. What about the low level horses that race at the “hell hole” tracks? Who is ready and willing to help them? You say you can’t afford to own a horse and, in a previous post, I suggested getting a second job, working your butt off, and providing for one of these horses that has given the fans so much enjoyment, including you! I’m sure if you reach out to your racing buddies, they will ALL step up and provide financial resources to help you care for your new horse! Cheering for a horse isn’t my idea of “love”, but opening up your heart to care for a horse, when its racing days are over, is an example of “love”, at least in my opinion.
Just because you love horseracing doesn’t mean you aren’t a “good” person. I don’t know you so I can’t say one way or the other. You have said that you would like to “reform” horseracing and I asked you how that was working out for you. Of course, no response from you. Many people constantly chatter about how racing needs to be reformed, yet it hasn’t changed. Why? I believe it is because racing doesn’t want to change. Those at the upper levels like it just the way it is. Corporate entities can change, if they see a need to change. That is Business 101. Seems simple to me.
You are right that there are more pressing issues in this world before we try to take down racing. However, why do the racing folks, such as yourself, seem to constantly struggle with the statement…PICK YOUR BATTLES? I have chosen to shine a light on the “dirty secrets” in racing. You may choose another battle. I would NEVER say to you…Oh, Britto5, there are so many more pressing issues…just forget about the ones that concern you! Also, just like I don’t know you, you don’t know me. I may be involved in 10 other causes that are important to me. As a matter of fact, there are other issues that I am passionate about and they involve animals and children. However, as I’ve said one hundred times before, this site is called Horseracing Wrongs.
Finally, I would like to thank Patrick for remembering the low level horses that have lost their lives on racetracks throughout this country, the ones we know about and the ones we don’t. Remember, Britto5, racing doesn’t like to give up the names of their dead! Without Patrick, they would be quickly forgotten so he has been their “voice”. If you have an issue with that, perhaps you should focus your effort elsewhere!
Britto5, and here is a quote from a dear friend of mine, Joy Aten, who has picked up more broken bodies, from YOUR industry, than anyone I know. In fact, I would venture to guess that she has stepped up to help more horses than you have cheered for…sad, but true. Enjoy reading Joy’s thoughts and, remember, these horses are running for their lives and for what? Your entertainment!!
From Joy Aten…”Pity the horses at Thistledown…just another cheap midwest track where horses go to suffer their final breakdown, die, or disappear. And for what….
RIP Tangible Assets. A lifeless carcass at the age of four…and for the entertainment of racing fans, the gambling pleasure of bettors, and the pocketbooks of those who make their living off the horses’ backs. Those who claim to love the horse, yet see no problem with dead 4-year-olds like Tangible Assets, are not racehorse welfare advocates (but keep trying to tell yourself that if it makes you feel better).”
Yes, you are exactly right in assuming that all of the horses that leave my friends care go into loving homes, she keeps in contact with them on a regular basis to see how the horse is doing – on occasion, she even visits them.
What I was referring to when I said I wanted to reform racing – I have reached out several times to my former home track Thistledown, to see if anything can be done regarding the safety and welfare of the horses and putting a ban on horses being shipped out to from their track to slaughter, but have I heard anything? No, the owner is a complete jerk and just cares about making money, expanding the casino etc – it is very frustrating that they can just let the track disintegrate around them like that while a lush casino is allowed to be expanded upon – disgusting. I am doing what I can to at least improve that one track – which I agree looks like a bomb went off on the backside.
I myself, am not in the position to own and care for a horse as I have just purchased my first house and finances are still getting in order and I have other animals to take care of first – I am looking for a second job just to stay afloat, let alone pay for another mouth to feed – not that I wouldn’t want to, I just am incapable right now. So please don’t assume that I can just get a second job and reach out to my racing buddies to help me out financially – they have other priorities as well. What I can do though until that opportunity arises for me, is to donate to charities like CANTER or any other OTTB retirement program.
I appreciate the light Patrick sheds on these dire issues, they need to be exposed in order to be improved upon. I love horses – I love all animals, I will continue to cheer for them on the track, and when I can, off the track as well. Please know that I am probably one of the rare few who love horses and racing as well – but I don’t want to see it go away, I want to see it improved.
And may I add, the horse my friend owns – win or lose, they really don’t care if the horse doesn’t earn a check because horse racing isn’t their sole source of income, they all hold regular jobs, horse racing for them is a hobby – in fact, they only have one horse racing now and I guarantee you, this horse is fit, healthy and happy all because they don’t race him if they don’t think he is ready.
Britto5, the fact that your friend doesn’t need his/her horse to “hit the board” is VERY unusual in horseracing, so for him/her it is entertainment or a “hobby”. Of course, to me, that is even worse than someone who is in horseracing in order to earn a living. Your friend is just doing the horseracing thing for “fun” at the expense of his/her horse. You say the horse is “healthy” so I will assume that the horse isn’t running on ANY drug because your friend does the right thing for his/her horse. I can’t tell you how refreshing that is because, last spring, I looked at an 8 race card at Beulah Park and EVERY horse was running with Lasix that day except for ONE! Glad to know that your friend runs his/her horse “clean”.
I did ask you another question which you must have missed in your reply to me so I will ask it again. Britto5, you say that the people you know “would never do anything to be detrimental to their horse” and your friend’s horse hasn’t had any “injections to speak of”. What does that mean…”to speak of “? Does that mean that your friend doesn’t inject, or just injects “sometimes” in order to “cover up” the damage to the cartilage? As you can ascertain, I’m a bit confused so please forgive me! Again, this friend would never do anything detrimental to his/her horse (your words, not mine) so I’m sure you made a mistake when you said that the horse hasn’t had any “injections to speak of”. The horse has either been injected or the horse hasn’t been injected. Please don’t talk in circles. When I worked the backside of Beulah Park, the vast majority of the horses were injected on a regular basis. Once the joints were destroyed, the horses were then thrown in the trash.
You seem to have a good heart and you do want to see racing “improved”. Just to be clear, I want it to go bye bye. I also asked you, if you want to see it “improved”, how that was working out for you? I just posted on my FB page that racing revenue was down 10% for September, 2014, versus September, 2013. I was excited about that but I’m sure you are disappointed to hear those statistics. So, I would like to know EXACTLY what you are doing to improve racing as a gambling industry. Remember, without gambling, racing wouldn’t exist.
By the way, you say that you reached out to the “owner” of Thistledown. I believe Harrahs owns that track. Harrahs is a major gaming corporation, so did you reach out to the President or CEO? An Ohio steward has told me, numerous times, that the gaming companies don’t give a damn about the horses. They only care about the slots and he predicted that within 5 to 10 years, the low level tracks will be long gone! Again, a racing official told me that, not some hotwalker at the track. I would venture to guess that a gaming company isn’t going to listen to you, or to me, or to anyone else, for that matter. They only care about the money, Britto5, not the horses.
Finally, you are wise not to become a horse owner. It costs me about $2700 a year to provide basic care for a TB that I keep at home. That is basic care. It does NOT included dental, vet care, farrier care, etc. That is basic care. Since I have owned TB’s for over 50 years, you can well imagine the money that I have spent on them for their care. The costs are astounding.
Ok, it my not have been the owner, but I have contacted Harrah’s I think – I would have to go back in my email to check. But it pissed me off that they don’t see to care about the horses, the very thing that allowed them to build a casino there in the first place.
And as far as I know the horse only gets Lasix – no joint injections to speak of – I know Lasix is controversial in it’s use and I would like to see that go away, but that will take more time and more money – but I am hopeful it will resolve.
And as far as owning a horse, I know I can’t afford one, but I will still continue to love on them whenever I come in contact with one – for now, I’ll still to rescuing stray dogs and cats haha
Britto5, rescuing dogs and cats is a good thing. We have 17 cats and 3 dogs – all rescues! Most people that have horses, shouldn’t have them. They are expensive and very labor intensive.
Good luck with trying to improve/reform racing. I have tried, as have many others, and we have ALL been unsuccessful. At this point in time, I don’t believe it can be done. Ferdinand was slaughtered, in Japan, about 12 years ago. However, nothing has changed, in regards to slaughter, here in this country over the last 10 to 12 years. The tracks initiated “no horse to slaughter” policies, and, anyone with minimal intelligence, knows they are a joke. The horses simply go underground (direct to kill) versus going through auctions. How anyone can support an industry, that uses slaughter as a disposal system, never ceases to amaze me, yet these same people will babble about how much they “love” the sport. It is obvious to me that you and I have very different definitions of the word “love”. I think it is time for us to “agree to disagree” because it is senseless to keep wasting our time engaging in conversations concerning a sport that destroys horses.
And the improvement will be a slow and steady process, it’s not working very well, but over time think it will get better – for now, I will do whats in my power
I completely agree we have different viewpoints, and I can certainly agree to disagree
All of my animals are recused too, not nearly as much as you though – 2 cats that were born on my fiances front porch and a Boxer mix named Duke who was found my a friend of mine’s son freezing in the snow – they had him for a year before they had to move and couldn’t take him with them – I had just lost my mutt of 15 years at the time so I stepped up to take him – looking to add on another dog here as soon as we get our yard fenced in – I know, nothing to do with racing, just had to share.I do applaud you though on yours and Joys efforts in rescuing these horses – continue to do what you’ve been doing for these horses – they do need more of a voice. Although you and I have opposing views on horse racing, it is absolutely wonderful what you are doing for these amazing creatures