On the same day that American Pharoah won the $1.5 million Preakness at Pimlico, these 11 horses were ambulanced off (source: Equibase) other American tracks. It is highly likely that at least half are dead:
Furrever, Albuquerque
Silverhill, Albuquerque
Diamond of Blue, Arlington
Good Tickled, Canterbury
Swiss Tart, Charles Town
Misleading Lies, Finger Lakes
Jade Effort, Lone Star
Tribute to Holly, Louisiana
Ally Hawk, Mountaineer
Touch of a Poet, Prairie
Streaks in the Dirt, Sam Houston
And these:
Estrella Royal Rap, Fairmount, “returned bleeding from her nostril”
Joint Decision, Parx, “stumbled badly,” DNF
Lovmeister, Penn, “pulled up lame”
Svindhal, Pimlico, “fell,” DNF
Remembering Pete, Sam Houston, “stumbled badly to knees”
And finally – a world away from Bob Costas and the NBC cameras, a 3-year-old yet-to-be-raced colt named Mr Reid was, according to the NYS Gaming Commission, “found dead in his stall” at Aqueduct. This is the horseracing they don’t want you to see. Please stop supporting this sordid industry.
SO SAD, THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS TO THESE PEOPLE IS MONEY!!!
PLEASE HELP STOP THEM, THE HORSES ARE SUFFERING AND DIEING.
Totally agree the only thing that every matters is money, the welfare only counts when they are earning the money for these people…
Its so so sad no animal shud b treat thus way all living breathing feeling just like us god man has alot to answer for show sum compassion u wud want it dun for u god bless all who strive everyday to make things better for these poor animals
WTF…WHAT?
A lot of people are not aware of the ugliness of horse racing some turn their heads and others cover their ears and eyes its time to educate the public it doesn’t matter what the industry or media thinks freedom of speech a lot have believed the dreaded statement ” they are born to run they love to run” not against each other no less with a jockey and whip that is UN natural God bless to the rescue and retirement farms working and volunteering.without pay but not without recognition I researched and every state has at least one rescue/retirement sanctuary so you know there is a problem wake up America.its time to take care of gods creatures as intended
A 3 year old found dead in his stall, how sad this is. What possibly could a young 3 year old, a baby, have died from? Sometimes I really wonder, where are the people who are supposed to be watching them, and caring for them? Is anyone on duty here?
A necropsy should be performed and an investigation should follow. These are living, breathing, precious babies, not worthless chattel, as they are being treated like. This sick industry has no mercy. They are plundering God’s precious creatures through abuse, mistreatment, negligence, and causing immense suffering, and death.
The thoroughbred today is undergoing their own holocaust. Tattooed from birth with a number on their lip, and to this disgusting industry, that is all they are to them – a number… a money maker…complete exploitation; and when they have squeezed every ounce of life from them, many end up at slaughter.
Write your Senators people, voice your outrage. This is nothing short of murder, and it must end now!! This industry needs oversight and regulation. Demand it!!!
And to the glorious owner Maggi Moss, and titled “Owner of the Year”, what a gentle soul is she. She is not retiring her horses when they are no longer competitive, she is putting them into claiming races, where they can be bought, and never heard from again. No traceability, no liability. “Owner of the Year”….HARDLY…..
Marlene Thornley
Animal planet once had a show about the AP people went to an auction where horses were going to slaughter…They noticed a beautiful but very sad, depressed horse in the group.. When they lifted his lip, they found a tatoo (racehorses are tatooed)..They asked the seller how much for him…they were told he could get 500.00 from the slaughterhouse. They paid the 500 and took the horse home. After they got him home, vetted, fed and cleaned, they looked up his history. This once beautiful animal had won races and much money for its former owner. When he began to go lame, they decided he was worth nothing and sent him to be slaughtered. You are right…..all they care about is money. The beautiful horse, after the care and love was given to him now holds his head up high and is truly enjoyed by his new owner.
Donna,
It’s great to know that among all the heartbreaking events we hear of concerning the TB’s, that there are some that are lucky enough to be rescued by compassionate owners. I only wish it happened for more of them.
Marlene Thornley
Donna,
What was the name of the horse ?
animals should not be used to gain money. horses so intelligent. loving and a spiritual gift to man, need to be free from this barberic sport. it is a form of slaughter, just like dog fighting, bullfighting, soooo many others. they are bred to die, and be tortured on the way.
Despicable. nothing ever changes
Horse racing is a “sport” for the rich. It’s ghoulish. The horrors need to be seen by the world, not shrouded in secrecy.
It is really beyond any common sense as to why they have to race these animals so young! Most are started in training before they are even 2 yrs old!! If they would only just wait til the horse is at least 3 yrs old before it is raced, then maybe there would be a lot less serious injuries such as pulled tendons, broken bones, etc. If the owners cant wait long enough for the horse to grow up to where their bones have solidified then they shouldnt even be considering owning a racehorse! This and the drugging will never change as long as theres a ton of money behind it all!!
You’re all right it is a $ thing. They take these 2 y/r olds out break them down sell them for meat been goin on for for years $$$$$$$$ let’s put an end to this bull !! They should’nt race till @ least 4/yr when they’ve at least been able to develops a bit.
Thank you, Patrick, and all who follow and post here for this very important blog on Preakness Day. Please continue to keep the “barn doors” open. People can only demand change if they know what needs to change.
If horse racing did not exist, neither would the vast majority of these Thoroughbreds. It is sad that some are unlucky, but at least they were or are here with us. The industry is the reason that large amounts of land exist also, rather than being developed into housing. Most folks involved in racing, love and care for their horses. I have been a race goer for 60 years and will never stop loving it.
Keep your head firmly planted in the dirt – we’ll continue our mission.
I believe it’s ” head buried in the sand” Dear
“Dirt,” as in dirt at the track, was quite deliberate – dear.
(that was a little over June Goldsworthy’s head, Patrick…hers is in quite deep)
I know your intention exactly. However you cannot gainsay my contention that these Thoroughbreds exist only because racing exists. Can you refute this rather than attack me personally? Wipe out racing and you wipe out the majority of Thoroughbreds. Perhaps this is your goal. Perhaps it would be more productive to pursue a project that has more than a zero percent chance of success.
June,
Here is the correct link:
http://offtrackthoroughbreds.com/2015/05/15/tbred-with-head-wound-dumped-dies-at-age-3/
Marlene Thornley
Mr. Reid perished of colic during the night. At a better facility, someone would have checked during the night on their horses, but at ol’ Aqueduct these normal procedures that horsemen follow are considered too costly. Even at my “mid-priced’ sport horse barn someone stays on duty at night and checks on the horses between 11pm and 6am. During an event, someone dozes in the tack room all night. Not saying that Mr. Reid could have been saved, but he certainly would have been found before he was dead and would have had a chance.
And let’s face it folks, a leading cause or exacerbation of colic is too little turn out time. The bane of the race horse.
Does anyone have a list of the sites that state the facts and numbers of this abuse. I would like to send it along with my letters to every politician I can get an address for. We have an election year coming up, this could be great timing. Oops, I just scrolled down and see some sites listed. Does anyone have more to add?
Patrick told me to scroll up and you will find. KIA 2014 and 2015.
not sure where all the states are.
I wouldn’t bother writing. Most politicians are bought and paid for, and particularly with THIS industry, I would imagine the lobbyists are all on the case. It IS sad.
Pamela, most of what you’re looking for can be found right here on Horseracing Wrongs.
What all can we do to begin to put an end to this inhumane industry? Write to people? If so, whom? Boycott certain products? I would really like to know what I can DO.
Mike, tell everyone you know – share this site far and wide – letters to the editor, local reporters (with a link to our KIA list), etc. As for boycotts, please explain to people that patronizing racinos (slots, table games at racetracks) subsidizes the racing industry. Tell them if they want to gamble, visit stand-alone casinos or play scratch-offs. Thank you for wanting to help.
Hi Mike, I hate to be a ‘negative Nancy’ but as long as money is to be made, I doubt anything we do will matter. Sure we can get a lot of ppl to understand how evil this sport is but we won’t change the minds of the ppl that are getting their pockets padded from it. I absolutely LOVE my horses and other livestock and no dollar amount would change that but on the opposite end, you have the ppl that absolutely LOVE their money and nothing will change that either. 😢
Mike, horseracing is a blood sport based on gambling. If no one bet on the horses, racing would cease to exist. You have to hurt racing where it hurts the most….in the wallet. Therefore, encourage family and friends not to bet on the horses. I am not opposed to betting but please don’t bet on the animals. Do what Pete Rose did…bet on baseball instead.
Mary Johnson — literally laughing out loud at your last sentence! Yes, to all comments.
Horses this young are not meant to be ridden this hard. Horse trainers don’t care. It’s all about the money and beautiful animals have to suffer. I have four myself and though they’re nothing more than lawn mowers, I’d never treat them that way.
Ms. Goldsworthy, you are either delusional or incredibly stupid, perhaps a bit of both. I will assume that you also support dog racing, another blood sport based on gambling. It is sad that some horses are “unlucky”? Luck has very little to do with the maiming and killing of the animals that we love so much. I guess the horses are just “unlucky” when a human injects them with drugs. Right? I guess they are just “unlucky” when they are raced before they are skeletally developed. Right? No, dear girl, it has nothing to do with luck. It is deliberate and it’s animal abuse. Got it?
June Goldsworthy,
You state that “Most folks love & care for their horses”…You must live in a dream world, and are completely oblivious to the abuse, suffering, and misery, TB’s are enduring, going on right before your eyes.
Numerous horses are dying because of their owner’s irresponsibility, and cruelty, in not euthanizing their horses with colic, because they didn’t want to spend the money; and let their LOVED horse endure one of the most horrific and painful deaths a horse can suffer from. How LOVING is that?
Owner’s are racing their LOVED horses with injuries, and masking those injuries with drugs, resulting in catastrophic breakdowns. How LOVING IS THAT?
Owner’s are throwing their LOVED horses into claiming races, where they can be bought, disappear, and end up at slaughter, how LOVING is that?
I could go on and on, but you obviously have your head up your ass. The next time you place a bet, all you are doing is supporting the continued abuse, cruelty, and suffering of the innocent victims of this blood sport – the thoroughbred. Pull your head our of your ass and you might see that.
Marlene Thornley
June Goldsworthy,
Excuse me, I meant to say “Pull your head OUT of your ass, and you might see that”…..
Marlene Thornley
June Goldsworthy,
One last point, I would like you to look and see what some LOVING OWNER did to his beloved horse “Say Dat Who”. Take a good look at the picture June!! This poor baby was only 3 years old, and was dumped with his head spit open, how loving is that? Here is the link, I would like you to see:
http://offtrackthoroughbreds.com/2015/05/15/tbred-with-head-wound-dumped-dies-at-age3/
Another person needs to see that horrific picture of Say Dat Who is the breeder, Margie K. Averett.
I agree Rose, the breeder should follow the ownership of his foals throughout the horses career, until they are retired, if they are lucky enough to live that long. They should have a responsibility to that foal, and make sure that they are in safe hands throughout their lifetime.
However, this is what a “responsible”, “compassionate”, breeder would do. We all know that words like “responsible, and “compassionate” are not found in the racing industry dictionary, or in practice.
Marlene Thornley
SAFE ACT BILL –
TO STOP the Slaughter of race horses and all other horses currently being shipped out of the US.
Aprox. 150,000 a year are going to their death
This Act may be cited as the “Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2015”.
____________________________
Allen Warren of the Washington Horse Defence Coalition wrote:—
Here is the actual language of SAFE: A BILL
To prevent human health threats posed by the consumption of equines raised in the United States.
**********************************
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2015”.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that—
(1) unlike cows, pigs, and other domesticated species, horses and other members of the equine family are not raised for the purpose of human consumption;
(2) equines raised in the United States are frequently treated with substances that are not approved for use in horses intended for human consumption and equine parts are therefore unsafe within the meaning of section 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act;
(3) equines raised in the United States are frequently treated with drugs, including phenylbutazone, acepromazine, boldenone undecylenate, omeprazole, ketoprofen, xylazine, hyaluronic acid, nitrofurazone, polysulfated glycosaminoglycan, clenbuterol, tolazoline, and ponazuril, which are not approved for use in horses intended for human consumption and equine parts are therefore unsafe within the meaning of section 512 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; and
(4) consuming parts of an equine raised in the United States likely poses a serious threat to human health and the public should be protected from these unsafe products.
SEC. 3. PROHIBITIONS.
Section 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 331) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(ddd) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section—
“(1) equine parts shall be deemed unsafe under section 409 of this Act;
“(2) equine parts shall be deemed unsafe under section 512 of this Act; and
“(3) the knowing sale or transport of equines or equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce for purposes of human consumption is hereby prohibited.”.
Rae, I and my family lived in Saratoga Springs, NY for 25 years. The city is home to a very well known race track — in fact, 2 tracks one harness, one flat. The stories that come from those 2 tracks are appalling, but, of course, nothing is done. Gwyn’s dad owned a harness horse at one time, I’m sure that he has stories, The horse is such a beautiful animal, altho’ I don’t know anything about them — except, admiration. I feel bad about these animals.
I really wish everyone would understand that this does NOT only happen in TB Horse Racing .. it happens everyday ,everywhere in every type of horse riding and racing . even out in the pasture or wild . Yes it it sad and trust me it hurts everyone who knew any of the horses that died .
Ms. Baca, we have heard your old, tired story time and time again. For the one hundredth time, this blog is called Horseracing Wrongs, not Three Year Old Horses Dropping Dead in the Pasture. Yes, horses do die from accidents every single day but I am going to tell you that I have NEVER seen a three year old drop dead in a stall or drop dead in a pasture….NEVER….and I have been around horses for over 55 years. Approximately 6.5% of the foal crop will either die in the dirt or limp back to a stall only to later be euthanized. That, of course, doesn’t count the thousands of TB’s that end up on the slaughterhouse floor. Again, if you read Patrick’s blogs, you might be able to grasp what I am talking about. How anyone can continue to support this industry continues to boggle my mind.
Something went PROFOUNDLY wrong at that track this day. I’m a racing fan and own an OTTB mare. This track needs to be investigated. Every single person, owner, exerciser, groom, mucker, feeder, anyone who did any work there at all.
Which track are you referring to?
All I can say is Tribute to Holly is still alive. I bought him almost 3 weeks ago malnourished due to worms. He’s doing amazing, gaining weight, and is learning really fast. Just happened to have stumbled upon this article.
Makayala, we have many people who post on this Blog claiming to have racehorses in their possession that are doing “so well,” that are “doing great.”
However, when we request a picture to verify the information posted they are never provided (that I’m aware of).
Therefore, I don’t accept this information until 1. I see a pic with a time stamp on it that shows the tattoo 2. The person is part of the OTTB horse rescue group that regularly posts on this blog (Joy Aten, Mary Johnson) who come forward, and verifies the information provided.
It would be very helpful if you care to provide some more details about your situation if you care to do so.
Until then, I don’t consider Tribute to Holly safe although I certainly hope she is one of thousands that didn’t end dying on the track, maimed/dumped, and/or dying on the slaughterhouse floor.