Last summer, 17 racehorses died, or were euthanized due to injuries suffered, while racing or training at Saratoga Race Course:
Hadeed Fi Hadeed, May 30, training
Squire Creek, July 16, training
Stradivari, July 22, training (euthanized December)
Zamjara, July 23, race 1
Rootformejustin, July 23, race 5
Indian Nobility, July 27, race 3
Domestic Warrior, August 1, race 4
Jonrah, August 3, training
Wheels Up Now, August 5, training
Recepta, August 5, training (euthanized November)
Prince Corredor, August 20, training
Elusive Neko, August 24, training
Bob Le Beau, August 25, race 1
Ring of Truth, August 25, race 10
Desert Trial, August 28, training
Its Only Fair, September 9, training
Core Competency, September 19, training
In addition, two other still-very-much-active “athletes” perished on track grounds from what the industry refers to as “non-racing” causes:
Lebowski, August 2, “found dead outside stall”
Midnight Visitor, August 4, prior to race 4, “reared up while being walked to Assembly Barn, fell suffering head trauma”
That’s 19 dead horses at “the oldest sporting venue in the nation” – in but a six-week “season.” Since 2009, when the state’s Gaming Commission began disclosing such things, Saratoga counts at least 106 dead. All, for $2 bets and frivolous entertainment. We live in 21st Century America; we can – and should – be better than this.
The platitudes, the delusions, the misrepresentation, and false statements being put out there by this industry is punishable by law as we have seen with SeaWorld.
Strip away the guises of “tradition,” and “sport,” and what you really have is legitimized animal cruelty, and dying on the track or in the slaughterhouse all for billions in profit.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/vickeryeckhoff/2011/11/29/racing-industry-silent-about-slaughtered-thoroughbreds/#2d253e671bd6
This article was written in 2011 citing 750 racehorses dying on tracks per year, we now know that this is much higher thanks to this Blog.
If you want to gamble this summer leave the racehorses out of the equation.
They are innocent victims, and it will only stop when everybody, including our government, stops financially supporting it since they can’t support themselves.
Boycott Del Mar, and Saratoga, but also boycott this entire industry year-round because this antiquated business model doesn’t belong in the 21st century.
Reblogged this on uddeer and commented:
Horse racing’s victims.
If this doesn’t break you heart, I don’t know what … … — until these horses are treated with love, care & respect, these facilities exploiting animals for entertainment & profit MUST be SHUT DOWN permanently! — These animals who in fact are used as “employees” MUST be protected — they are vulnerable, innocent and always at the mercy of humans — we must ensure these humans are horse-loving humans — anything short of this, is NOT acceptable.
Keep in mind, horse racing first began decades ago as a “fun” event — fun for all, horses and humans alike — then, slowly, it morphed into this cruel horror show — my heart breaks for the horses.
First it was Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Then it was SeaWorld.
Now you are wanting Thoroughbred AND Harness Racing to be banned.
What is going to happen to the trainers, racers, owners, investors, breeders, veterinary doctors, and other horse people, as well as the track employees, wage cashiers, food vendors, Racing Form/Betting Sheet vendors, merchandise purveyors and other employees who would lose their living if the ban is to happen?
Just ask a clown who lost their job recently from Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.
I am sure their reply will be one lonely tear.
#GetSomeGlue
It’s called progress, Mr. Dugan. Progress.
Nobody forced horse racing participators/supporters to embark on the cruel, and abusive treatment of horses.
So don’t look to taxpayers or people to bail you animal abusers out yet again.
The only living being forced into this inhumane world of horse racing are the racehorses because they have no voice which is a well sought after trait for animal abusers and/or enablers of the abuse.
Since these people have lots of horse experience I suggest they volunteer on the rescue farms that are up to their eyeballs in unwanted racehorses that this business dumps.
These farms require a plethora of horse personnel since the multibillion dollar horse racing industry gives little or nothing to these farms who struggle every day to keep the barn door open.
Consequently, these rescue farms can’t afford to pay people so many volunteer their services even donating $100 or some bags of feed, and they had nothing to do with the exploitation to begin with.
As for tears?
There are puddles of tears gathered in the puddles of blood underneath the racehorses dying in the dirt.
Then there are puddles of tears from people who watch this legitimized animal cruelty, and wait patiently for it to end.
I suggest they convert every single racetrack to “green spaces” which will provide more jobs than this industry ever has or ever will.
Moreover, they will be able to survive without pimping off of taxpayers money, corporate welfare, and the profits of casinos.
Joseph,
It is really BAD karma to abuse, exploit and enslave animals for money.
Where would these people go ?
Hopefully they would go to jobs where animals were Not exploited, abused, beaten, forced to race at top speeds against their will, or have their life ended after countless years of abuse and slave labor at a slaughter house – shot in the face or hoisted up in the air to have their throats slit while still alive.
What they are currently doing is BAD karma..
Businesses fail all the time for various reasons and people move on.
Racing is a failing business and is being propped up by casino money. It is bad business built on total exploitation of the horse. It is rife with deceit, cheating and, of course, animal abuse. Horses are raced too young, drugged and dumped, usually, via the claiming system. Most horses are finished,used up, at or before maturity and those that make it out of the game have nowhere to go but the slaughter bound truck.
This is a business without a moral compass. It needs to go.
Yes, Rose. Excellent.
I was pretty ingorant of what is going on and although I’ve only been to the races a few times, I think I cannot go anylonger. I think it’s important for everyone to consider however how they also contribute to the issue – this is not the only form of animal cruelty going on. If you eat meat how is that different?