Shewreckstheplace Dead at Aqueduct, Bringing Meet Total to 14

Shewreckstheplace, making her 36th maiden start (all but 4, claiming), broke down and was euthanized Sunday at Aqueduct (5th race). She was a few weeks shy of her 6th birthday – or about the end of an equine’s puberty. Trainer, Pablo Hizo; owner, Tatiana Hernandez Marquez; breeder, Sorin Stables. Shewreckstheplace is the 14th racehorse to die at the Big A in a little over two months.

5-year-old Summer Sunset, Oct 31, race 2 (fractured leg)
4-year-old Jesses Giant Dunk, Oct 31, race 3 (ruptured ligament)
4-year-old Knockher Off, Nov 12, race 5 (neck trauma)
9-year-old Cherokee Artist, Nov 28, race 6 (fractured leg)
4-year-old Princes On Thelake, Dec 3, race 5 (undisclosed breakdown)
3-year-old Warrior’s Hero, Dec 4, race 3 (fractured carpus)
5-year-old Half Nelson, Dec 5, race 8 (undisclosed breakdown)
7-year-old Quick Money, Dec 5, race 8 (neck trauma)
5-year-old Sage Valley, Dec 10, race 8 (apparent cardiac arrest)
5-year-old Ludo Bagman, Dec 11, race 1 (fractured sesamoids)
4-year-old Celebrate We Will, Dec 26, race 1 (fractured leg)
5-year-old Wicked Irish, Dec 27, race 2 (undisclosed leg trauma)
2-year-old Golden Bay, Jan 2, race 6 (undisclosed leg trauma)

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11 Comments

  1. THESE RACES MUST BE STOPPED, THESE OWNERS ARE ONLY THINKINBG OF THEMSELVES AN HOW MUCH THEY WILL HAVE IN THEIR POCKETS, NOT CARIG ABOUT THESE BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS. GET RID OF THIS SO-ALLED SPORT, THES POOR HORSES ARE SENT OUT TO BE MURDERED. CHARGE THE OWNER OF THIS HORSE.

  4. Rest in peace, Shewreckstheplace. I’ve come to hate that phrase – rest in peace – yet there is nothing comforting to say regarding the death of this young mare. Or for any of the others whose names are reported here day after day. I am just so damn sorry.

  6. Thank you Carolyn. It is good to find other sources/journalists talking about this other than Ray Paulick.

    I am praying that more journalists will speak out and actually talk about how dangerous the race track is and how it should be shut down in the winter (and then of course shut down entirely)

  7. New York Racing Officials Meet in Wake of Breakdowns
    http://www.thehorse.com/articles/35164/new-york-racing-officials-meet-in-wake-of-breakdowns?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=welfare-industry&utm_campaign=01-15-2015

    “The racing association didn’t offer any causes for the recent breakdowns, other than to say reforms enacted several years ago have reduced catastrophic injuries.”
    Where is the evidence to confirm this allegation? Perhaps they haven’t looked at Patrick’s research/data.

    “Additionally, stewards will be asked to continue closely monitoring track activities, and we will continue to confer with outside experts to review data and ensure continued safety for our riders and horses.”
    “outside experts” appearing to display some independent consultation to be seen to be doing the right thing. Name these outside experts and then we will see if there is any conflict of interest.

    “A number of trainers based at Aqueduct were present at the meeting, including myself (Violette) and we do not believe that the racetrack is the issue. That being said, the track will still be thoroughly re-examined.”
    I ask what qualifications does a group of “trainers” have to declare that the track was not an issue?

    “We are also asking the stewards to raise the bar on the conduct of the jockeys during the running of the race, and heighten their expectations of the standard of riding, especially where safety is concerned.”
    You “ask” you do not DEMAND? And IF they do raise the bar then we can expect to see jockeys not whipping the horses, cease riding these animals like racing cars and reduce speed significantly.

    “The NYTHA and NYRA will meet again in two weeks, or sooner if necessary, Violette said.”
    They will meet again….. but how many deaths and career ending injuries are we going to see in the meantime? And what will be the outcome of the next meeting…. more propaganda?

    “Palmer said all racehorse injuries are investigated.”
    Firstly Palmer, just who are you trying to kid and secondly, where is the tangible evidence for the public to scrutinize? Does one need to remind you that this is a PUBLIC industry and these animals are put on PUBLIC display and the racing authorities/industry are accountable to the PUBLIC.

    “The role of ensuring equine health and safety is a team effort that continues to evolve, and the commission and NYRA will continue to work together to meet these challenges.”
    Oh I see, horse health and safety is a challenge? My young grandson in pony club would be able to tell you how you care for a horse’s health and safety. And you declare that this issue is some kind of a mammoth task? Seems you are crawling out of the dark ages!

    “The racing association also noted its racetracks, including Aqueduct, have received accreditation from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance, which said the NYRA tracks meet or exceed standards.”
    Standards? May I suggest the following:
    that the National Thoroughbred Racing Association changes its name to just that. In other words remove the words Safety and Integrity because it is blatantly obvious that that Association is ignorant of the meaning of those two words. In my opinion, it has been negligent and also failed in its duty of care for the welfare of the horses in that it has accredited Aqueduct.

    “What stands out in New York is the recordkeeping…”
    Oh yes, the recordkeeping is a high priority for the racetrack surfaces but not for the horses that die or suffer injury on those racetrack surfaces.

    “We owe it to the fans, the riders, and horsemen to ensure this safety and accountability.”
    What horsemen? There are no REAL horsemen in the racing industry unfortunately for the horses. This statement fails to include the main participant in the industry – the horse. BUT the fans and jockeys need to be ensured safety and accountability. This statement displays total disregard for the horses – these noble living creatures.

    “As for the recent breakdowns, NYRA said a review indicates there are ‘no noticeable trends that correlate to any quantifiable data. For example, there is no direct correlation to jockeys, trainers, race length, or other such factors.”
    No direct correlation to jockeys, trainers, race length, or such other factors? Oh please, this just says it all! Many world renowned research studies and other independent investigative research and data, PROVIDE EVIDENCE THAT jockeys, trainers, race length and other risk factors (i.e., the drugs injected into these horses, number of starts horse has had, lack of respite between race starts, blinkers, abhorrent whipping, horses forced to race with a pre-existing injury/condition such as sub-clinical issues, arthritis, musculoskeletal issues, dysfunctional hoof/feet and bleeding in the lungs, owners/trainers overracing horses for monetary gain, horses racing in pain, indiscriminate breeding, racing horses that are far too young before their bodies have developed, etc. etc.etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.) DO correlate to the breakdown of racehorses!

    • Carolyn,

      Thank you so much for posting that article and thank you for your excellent comments.

      There are bloggers that post to the Paulick report and others as well that say that the race track really is a Major issue. They say it is dangerous and very hard on the horses.

  8. We often hear that there are those people who, even though they support racing, want to “clean it up”. Of course, that is an admission that there are things “wrong” with horseracing. I always chuckle when I hear that someone wants to “clean up” horseracing, so, for the sake of this discussion, where would they start? Would they start with the drugs? Would they start with demanding that races for two year olds be abolished? Would they start with the slaughter issues or perhaps the nurse mare foals which are considered “throw aways”? The problems within the racing industry are multi-faceted and, therefore, there are many, many, places to start. Here is an example. This time of the year there are very few tracks which even have racing dates because it is WINTER. There is a new track, here in Ohio, called Mahoning. It is a Penn Gaming track and it is located in northeastern Ohio. The weather in that area of my state is terrible in the middle of winter…yes, terrible…with temperatures in the single digits and wind chills well below zero. Last Wednesday, the first two races were run and then the racing card was cancelled because the jockeys came back from the first two races and said that the track conditions were terrible. There was ice under the racing surface. The day before, Boy’s Brother Bob died in the dirt at Mahoning. However, I’m sure there were repercussions when the rest of the card was cancelled, on Wednesday, because that means less money in the pockets of the gaming companies. Since there are so few tracks running in the winter months, the winter months for the tracks here in Ohio are the most profitable. Who cares if the surface is unsafe and icy? There are bets to be placed and money to be made. It isn’t just the horses that are considered inconsequential…it is the jockeys, too. Therefore, when someone babbles that they want to “clean up” racing, please realize that statement is actually ludicrous. It is like trying to “clean up” the political mess in Washington. It simply isn’t going to happen and that is why racing needs to go bye bye. Stop the bets and this industry goes down the tubes.

  9. That’s right, Mary…cleaning up racing is an impossibility. Putting an animal at risk for injury or death for someone to be entertained is barbaric.

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