From the most recent Los Alamitos Stewards Minutes – race 4, June 17:
“Ione It All broke down dramatically, falling and throwing her jockey rather forcefully to the track surface. The horse was euthanized on track for a broken cannon bone and right front ankle. Jockey Hernandez was transported by the paramedics for treatment.”
Broke down “dramatically”? Sick. As for the rest, using wording that clearly intends to elicit sympathy for the jockey is contemptible. First, he is fine – “complained of collarbone and wrist pain.” But on a moral level, that is wholly irrelevant. That’s not to say it’s not sad when a jockey ends up paralyzed or dead, just that he is a decidedly willing – and very much active – participant. Nothing is being done to him. The horse, conversely, is a piece of property forced into this farcical “competition.” And when one goes down, as here, it can be said that she was killed by those who were exploiting her – including, inescapably, the whip-wielder perched atop.
Also on that same California day, Iron Storm, another 2-year-old, suffered a “sudden death” while training (for his first race) at Golden Gate.
This is horseracing.
Ione It All absolutely WAS killed by those who forced her into this despicable industry. She was completely defenseless…innocent. Oh yes, on the day she was born I’m certain all involved were full of smiles and hugs…anticipating a successful racing “career”. One thing I find comfort in is knowing these wonderful, sentient beings don’t know what lies ahead for them.
SICK, is correct, Patrick. Sick that what was done to Ione It All and Iron Storm was done in the name of entertainment. Sick that people KNOW about the crippling and death but still defend racing.
RIP, little ones…we will not stop working to expose what was done to you and to the countless others.
Yes, this is true. I have been injured badly and broken up, but I survived it. The horses usually do not. When their legs snap, they do not survive it. I chose my profession, sore horses have no choice. And then the cheaters who drug, nerve, and block. Honestly, I am lucky to have survived it.
The more I read/hear about the abuse/killing of these precious animals, the more angry I become. There is no excuse for any of it.
The connections of racehorses are all smiles, and hugs in the winners circle, all smiles when they pick their check up that their racehorse ran its butt off for.
However, the smiles and hugs are nowhere to be found when these racehorses stop being profitable whether that’s dumping or dying.
In fact, there are no smiles and hugs as they dump them.
When they die these connections just move on to the next one in many cases.
When we contact connections of a racehorse standing at a kill auction they come up with every excuse in the book – we’ve heard them all – not to send one dime to the racehorse who was once standing in the winners circle generating money for them and all involved.
This antiquated industry is a cesspool of irresponsibility, and entitlement towards a living, breathing being.
From the irresponsible over breeding to the irresponsible dumping – it’s all there.
The industry facilitates the dumping (claiming ranks), and dying so that the exploitation can continue.
All the racehorses that have died can attest to this dirty game where they pay with their lives.
This industry is nothing more than a cruelty circus, and a death camp .