In the spirit of Joseph Welch (during the infamous McCarthy hearings), I say the following to the horseracing industry: “Have you no sense of decency, sirs? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?” From an April 5 press release:
Amplify Horse Racing and MyRacehorse are pleased to announce “Amplify Junior, Sponsored by MyRacehorse” – a partnership that will deliver a children’s educational tour series to Kentucky. The exciting new initiative will teach young children and their parents and guardians about the Thoroughbred horse racing industry.
Founded in 2019, Amplify Horse Racing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit promoting education and careers in the Thoroughbred industry to youth and young adults through mentorship, in-person and virtual programming.
The synergy between Amplify and MyRacehorse – whose platform launched in 2018 to make owning racehorses both affordable and fun for the masses – is perfect for spearheading the new junior program for children 12 and under, which will feature monthly educational tours from April through October at iconic locations in Kentucky, including Keeneland Race Course, Fasig-Tipton Sales Company, and Taylor Made Farm.
Each of the seven destinations will include a tour of the facility and hands-on engaging activities for children to learn about horses and the life cycle of the Thoroughbred. MyRacehorse and Amplify personnel will be onsite to host tours and enhance learning alongside facility representatives.
“This collaboration between MyRacehorse and Amplify perfectly aligns with our mission to bring all the fun, excitement, and opportunity that the Thoroughbred racing industry has to offer,” said MRH CEO and Founder, Michael Behrens. “To be able to educate a younger generation of fans, who may become industry participants in the future, is a very worthwhile endeavor.”
“Amplify Horse Racing is excited to be working with MyRacehorse on expanding our educational programming to include children 12 and under,” said Annise Montplaisir, Amplify President and Co-Founder. “Developing a passion for horses frequently happens at a young age, so we look forward to cultivating the interest of the children and families who participate, and sharing our own love of the horse.”
Look, I realize the notion of ethics in horseracing is utterly fanciful. But to bring young children, as innocent as the animals they’re to be “taught” about, into this reaches new depths of depravity. Then again, it should not surprise: Horseracing is not attracting younger “fans” – partly because of competition (casinos, sports-betting), partly because of rapidly changing sensibilities toward animal exploitation (Ringling, SeaWorld) – and they’re desperate. Hence, the above. In a perfect world, though, I’d have my chance to educate, and here’s where I’d start:
My Mane Girl, Jan 2, Keeneland T
“Filly worked a half and went down – complete, comminuted fracture of the humerus; large amount of hemorrhage; tearing of muscle.” Also: “gastric ulcers; suppurative hepatitis.” My Mane Girl was three years old.
Shartle, Jan 8, Turfway R
“[Suffered] catastrophic comminuted fracture with extensive tearing of ligaments.” Also: “multifocal ulceration; suppurative hepatitis.” Shartle was two years old.
Miss Eau de Vie, Jan 15, Turfway R
“Horse broke down near the 3/16 pole: open, severely comminuted cannon fracture [with] missing fragments; suspensory ligament severely torn. The horse was sedated, loaded into the horse ambulance, and euthanized.” Also: “extensive ulceration of the squamous mucosa; suppurative hepatitis.” Miss Eau was two years old.
Call to Glory, Jan 23, Keeneland T
“There is a complete, comminuted spiral fracture of the humerus with fragments of bone embedded in the muscle [and] massive amount of hemorrhage.” Call to Glory was two years old and being prepped for his first race.
Be With Us, Feb 5, Keeneland T
“While galloping became acutely ataxic, went down, and rapidly expired.” Also: “stomach ulceration, gastritis.” Be With Us was three years old.
Mountain Bear, Feb 5, Turfway R
“Horse pulled up, non-weight-bearing: multiple fractures; tearing of the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, the palmar annular ligaments, the sesamoidian ligaments, and the connective tissues of the fetlock.” Also: “severe, chronic ulceration; suppurative hepatitis.” Mountain was two years old.
Sovereign Power, Feb 8, Turfway S
“Horse was found deceased in her stall: vegetative valvular endocarditis, pneumonia, large areas of hemorrhage [in] lungs. Filly had been treated since first week in January for fever and edema.” Sovereign was three years old.
Get Outta Dodge, Mar 4, Keeneland T
“Exercise rider heard a pop: complete, comminuted fracture of the humerus; fragment embedded within the marrow cavity; tearing of muscles.” Also: “suppurative hepatitis.” Get Outta Dodge was two years old and being prepped for his first race.
Palace Moon, Mar 9, Keeneland T (euthanized Mar 11)
“Filly was galloping and became acutely ‘off’ behind: complete, displaced spiral fracture of the right tibia.” Also: “stomach ulceration.” Palace was two years old and being prepped for her first race.
Tizadaisy, Mar 24, Keeneland T
“This filly was walking to the track in preparation to train when she stopped, made audible grunting sound, fell [and] did not attempt to rise – [multiple] hemorrhages.” Tizadaisy was not yet two.
Colton’s Corner, Mar 26, Turfway T
“Horse was working a two-minute lick, broke down at 1/4 pole after one trip around: [multiple] fractures, severe soft tissue damage.” Colton’s was six years old.
Royal Approval, Mar 27, Keeneland T
“Filly collapsed suddenly while galloping…acute death.” Also: “suppurative hepatitis.” Royal was three years old.
Tough Love, May 29, Churchill R (euthanized early Jun)
“joint infection”
Veridical, Mar 31, Keeneland T (euthanized Apr 2)
“Last exercised on Mar 31, today [Apr 2] Grade 5 lame: fractured femur, tearing and hemorrhage within encompassing muscle and soft tissues.” Also: “suppurative hepatitis.” Veridical was still weeks shy of his second birthday.
Ace of Aces, Apr 17, Churchill T
“Horse broke down and fell at 1/16 pole: right humeral fracture – complete, comminuted; left scapular fracture – complete, comminuted; left sesamoid fracture.” That’s three different breaks. Also: “gastric ulcer disease.” Ace was five years old.
Out Loud, Apr 17, Keeneland S
“Filly worked on Apr 11; fever from Apr 11-Apr 16. Filly found dead in stall [Apr 17] at approximately 5 am. Immediate cause of death is believed to be respiratory insufficiency due to the massive amount of fluid in the thoracic cavity.” Also: “suppurative hepatitis.” Out Loud was three years old.
La Bella Figura, Apr 21, Keeneland T
“After [training] she was 4/5 lame in her left hind: complete, comminuted condylar fracture.” Also: “ulcers; suppurative hepatitis.” La Bella was two years old and being prepped for her first race.
Runrunrun, Apr 23, Keeneland T
“Filly was working and pulled up – complete fracture of the ilium.” Also: “grade 3 squamous gastric ulcer disease; suppurative hepatitis.” Runrunrun was two years old and being prepped for her first race.
Kitten Strikesback, Apr 25, Churchill T
“Horse pulled up severely lame: comminuted condylar fracture.” Also: “multifocal ulceration; hepatitis.” Kitten was two years old and being prepped for her first race.
My Clay Girl, May 1, Churchill T
“Horse went down at the 1/4 pole with a severe injury to the RF limb…started exhibiting signs of shock and pain…euthanized: complete, comminuted humeral fracture.” My Clay Girl was three years old and being prepped for her first race.
Lucky Treasure, May 5, Keeneland T (euthanized May 9)
“Comminuted pelvic fracture [with] fragments embedded in the surrounding muscle.” Lucky was three years old and being prepped for her first race.
Holiday Cruising, May 11, Churchill T
“Rider said he felt a pop and the horse went down: complete, comminuted humeral fracture with tearing of the muscles.” Also: “subacute to chronic squamous ulceration.” Holiday was four years old.
Little Feather, May 13, Churchill T
“Filly pulled up after the gallop-out severely lame RF limb: complete, comminuted fracture of the first phalanx.” Also: “acute, glandular stomach erosions; suppurative hepatitis.” Little was two years old and being prepped for her first race.
City Tavern, May 16, Churchill R
“Horse pulled up after the 1/4 pole with a catastrophic injury: slab fractures of the third and intermediate carpal bones, comminuted fracture of the ulnar carpal bone, small fracture of the fourth carpal bone; all carpal joints contain a large amount of blood, with variably-sized bone fragments.” City was three years old.
Shifting, May 22, Keeneland T
“Exhibited lameness [after] workout: [multiple] comminuted fractures.” Also: “grade 3 gastric ulcer disease.” Shifting was two years old and being prepped for her first race.
Devil’s Den, May 27, Churchill T
“Horse pulled up after breezing with a severe injury to the RF fetlock: multiple fractures, extensive soft tissue damage.” Also: “stomach ulceration.” Devil’s was two years old and being prepped for his first race.
Honey Royale, May 28, Keeneland T
“[Horse] suddenly collapsed following completion of a routine breeze, perished prior to arrival of the Response Team.” Also: “multifocal squamous ulceration; suppurative hepatitis.” Honey was two years old and being prepped for her first race.
Hard to Be Good, May 29, Churchill T
“Horse was galloping this morning and became shaky while pulling up; the rider jumped off and the horse collapsed and died – aortic rupture.” Also: “extensive stomach ulceration; suppurative hepatitis.” Hard to Be Good was seven years old.
All Fact, Jun 12, Churchill R
“Flipped over [before] race: skull fracture – multiple fragments.” Also: “degenerative joint disease, front fetlocks, right carpus.” All Fact was five years old.
Bodemeister Wind, Jun 12, Churchill R
“Horse pulled up after the wire lame left front: [multiple] fractures.” Also: “multifocal stomach ulceration.” Bodemeister was three years old.
Cool Celeste, Jun 17, Keeneland S
“Mare fell along the edge of the exterior barn wall into the concrete flume: complete, markedly comminuted spiral fracture of the femur; severe tearing of the muscles.” Also: “gastric ulceration.” Cool was four years old.
Hitch Kick Double, Jun 19, Churchill T
“Complete, comminuted fracture of the third metatarsal bone with a large open wound; further fracture at the lateral-most aspect of the sagittal ridge resulting in complete separation of the ridge from the metatarsal; fractures are severely comminuted with fragments entirely free of the bone, some embedded in the ligament.” Also: “gastric ulceration; bilateral metacarpal disease.” Hitch was two years old and being prepped for her first race.
Super de Shine, Jun 27, Ellis R
“Horse broke down, was sedated and attempted to load on the ambulance but became severely painful and fractious – euthanized on the track: [multiple] open, disarticulated fractures.” Super was two years old and under the whip for the first time.
Danza Queen, Jul 2, Ashwood Training Center T
“Fell – severe trauma, right shoulder and neck; multifocal tearing of the musculature.” Danza was two years old and being prepped for her first race.
Global Appeal, Jul 4, Ellis R
“The colt was euthanized following a breakdown – multiple comminuted fractures with avulsion and hemorrhage.” Global was three years old.
Great Escape, Jul 7, Keeneland T
“The horse was exercising when he pulled up, staggered, weakened, and collapsed. He subsequently became pale, nonresponsive, and expired – extensive hemorrhage with multifocal areas of rupture.” Also: “stomach ulceration; suppurative hepatitis.” Great was three years old and was bred in Argentina.
Crystal Got Even (probably sic), Jul 22, Churchill T
“Complete spiral fracture of the humerus, tearing of the muscles.” Also: “stomach ulceration, gastritis.” Crystal was three years old.
Sir Rough Cut, Aug 15, Keeneland T
“Complete, comminuted fracture with tearing of muscles.” Sir was three years old and being prepped for his first race.
Lean In, Aug 20, Ellis T
“Horse pulled up at 1/8 pole – [multiple] comminuted fractures.” Also: “degenerative joint disease.” Lean In was three years old.
Mondo Gold, Aug 20, Ellis R
“Horse broke down and fell with a catastrophic injury: fetlock open, with disarticulation and marked contamination of the wound; biaxial sesamoid fractures with severe soft tissue damage.” Mondo was two years old.
West Bank Baby, Aug 22, Churchill S
“Horse was being treated for a few weeks for chronic laminitis and founder [both forelimbs]; deteriorat[ed] this week when the coffin bones rotated through the soles.” Also: “suppurative hepatitis.” West Bank was four years old and had been raced 14 times.
Bamalama, Sep 3, Ellis R
“Horse broke down at the 3/16 pole: open fracture, severe comminution with a large fragment missing; suspensory ligament is torn with an embedded fragment of bone; extensor tendons are torn.” Bamalama was three years old.
Floroplus, Sep 8, Kentucky R
“Horse pulled up at the 1/16 pole with a catastrophic injury: open fetlock fracture with disarticulation, extensive soft tissue damage.” Floroplus was seven years old.
Burnished, Sep 9, Keeneland T
“Grade 5 lameness post [workout], suspect complete fracture of scapula.” Also: “suppurative hepatitis.” Burnished was two and being prepped for her first race.
City Magic, Sep 9, Kentucky R
“Horse pulled up at the half-mile pole with a catastrophic injury – biaxial sesamoid fractures with severe soft tissue damage.” City was three years old.
Camellia Gal, Sep 26, Churchill T
“After galloping and getting into stall, horse became severely uncomfortable and violent even after two rounds of sedation – pelvic fracture, severe hemorrhage and tearing of the muscles.” Also: “suppurative hepatitis.” Camellia was four years old.
Clear Steps, Sep 26, Churchill R
“Horse pulled up near the 3/8 with a catastrophic injury to RF fetlock: comminuted fracture of the medial sesamoid; soft tissue disruption is severe, including [multiple] tendon tears and [multiple] ligament ruptures.” According to the jockey, “The horse warmed up a little funny in the post parade, [and] she was sweating and seemed to be stressed.” Clear Steps was three years old.
Rouson, Oct 3, Churchill R
“Horse broke down at the 1/16 pole: [multiple] open, comminuted fractures with extensive soft tissue damage, including tearing of the superficial and deep digital flexors, rupture of the suspensory ligament, and rupture of the intersesamoidian ligament.” Also: “stomach ulceration.” Rouson was three years old.
Newt, Oct 16, Churchill T
“Broke down while breezing – [multiple] fractures, extensive soft tissue damage.” Also: “suppurative hepatitis.” Newt was two years old.
Stacks Up, Oct 19, Churchill T
“Horse was half mile into a routine gallop when it broke down: complete spiral fracture of the humerus with tearing of the muscles.” Also: “grade 3 ulceration; suppurative hepatitis.” Stacks was two years old and being prepped for his first race.
Royal Commission, Oct 20, Churchill T
“Horse pulled up with catastrophic injury – [multiple] fractures, extensive soft tissue damage.” Also: “focally severe stomach ulceration.” Royal was four years old.
What the Elle, Oct 22, Keeneland R
“Horse fell over another horse – complete, comminuted humeral fracture with tearing of muscles.” Also: “ulcerations and suppurative hepatitis.” What the Elle was three years old, and this was his first race.
Bellinger, Oct 22, Keeneland R
“Horse pulled up with a catastrophic injury: [multiple] fractures; fetlock open and luxated; severe tissue damage. Started showing signs of severe distress, euthanized.” Also: “severe stomach ulceration and gastritis.” Bellinger was two years old.
Urban Hope, Oct 28, Keeneland T
“[Breakdown] occurred during a work – [multiple] fractures, severe soft tissue disruption.” Also: “stomach ulceration.” Urban was three years old.
All Bodes Well, Nov 3, Churchill R
“Horse flipped in gate, was severely painful and distressed, euthanized: complete, comminuted fracture of the femur; tearing of the muscle.” Also: “gastric ulceration.” All Bodes Well was three years old.
Ceeky, Nov 3, Churchill R
“Right forelimb: complete luxation of fetlock with massive damage to soft tissues; the straight, oblique, and cruciate ligaments are severely torn with complete rupture at base of sesamoids. Left forelimb: chip fracture resulting in acute cartilage damage.” Also: “grade 4 ulcer disease; suppurative hepatitis.” Ceeky was seven years old.
Vertical Threat, Nov 6, Churchill R
“Horse clipped heels and fell. Left forelimb: multiple fractures of the scapula, myriad spicules embedded within muscle; severe tearing. Right forelimb: complete fracture of the carpal bone.” That’s two broken legs. Vertical Threat was four years old.
Behave Virginia, Nov 8, Keeneland T
“Pulled up acutely lame in left front – complete spiral fracture of the humerus with tearing of the muscles.” Behave was two years old.
Midhurst, Nov 13, Turfway T
“Horse pulled up near 3/16 pole: [multiple] open fractures, severe soft tissue damage, near complete rupture of suspensory ligament.” Midhurst was two years old.
Can to Man, Nov 26, Churchill T
“Became severely ataxic in hind limbs after galloping, severely painful response: lumbosacral subluxation with compressive myelopathy of the lumbar cord.” Can to Man was three years old and being prepped for his first race.
Sovereign Immunity, Nov 29, Turfway T
“Horse backed up to finish line before suffering a catastrophic injury – complete spiral fracture of the humerus with tearing of the muscles.” Also: “grade 4 squamous ulcer disease.” Sovereign was two years old and being prepped for his first race.
Jason Be Good, Dec 8, Keeneland T
“[Horse] sustained an open, compound fracture of MCIII; ligament [and] tendons torn with embedded fragments of bone.” But, not euthanized right away: “Horse was sedated, loaded on ambulance, removed from [track and] euthanized in ambulance.” Also: “squamous ulceration; suppurative hepatitis.” Jason was four years old and had been raced twice, finishing a combined 38+ lengths back.
Alec and Arthur, Dec 19, Turfway T
“Horse broke down: severe tearing of the suspensory and sesamoidian ligaments; complete rupture of the straight, oblique, and cruciate ligaments.” Also: “multiple chip fractures in [other front] fetlock.” Also: “extensive ulceration of the stomach; adult roundworms in the small intestine.” Alec was four years old.
Man in Full, Dec 19, Turfway R
“Horse went down and was reluctant to rise – fractures of the 14th and 16th vertebrae, partial transection of the spinal cord.” Also: “severe, chronic ulceration.” Man in Full was four years old, and this was his first race.
Fire Marshall Bill, Dec 30, Turfway R
“Horse pulled up just past wire: [multiple] comminuted fractures, ruptured ligament.” Fire Marshall was four years old.
Toe the Line, Dec 31, Turfway T
“Horse collapsed and died after gallop.” Also: “multifocal squamous ulcers.” Toe the Line was four years old.
I think a picture is worth more then the above. Many people don’t know anything about their own anatomy much less a horses. All of the incidents above they had to be getting some kind of warning from the horse previous.?And some of it is just piss more maintenance and lack of proper care along with beating a underage horse down the track. At speeds they would not go is they chose to. I can’t believe they are allowed to treat these creatures like this. I guess justice is something the wealthy lazy folks don’t need to worry about.
It seems to me this endeavor should not be given non-profit status. It is partnered with MyRacehorse which is certainly for profit and has the potential to make money directly or indirectly from the association.
These people are immoral and have no business indoctrinating children and young adults in such a deceitful way.
Also, reading the horrible injuries along with the debilitating diseases caused by the brutal treatment and neglect of horses in this business is beyond disturbing to any human being unless there is something very wrong with them!!
And so many of these tortured young horses were being worked very hard with painful inflammation and ulceration of their digestive tracts,, degenerative joint disease and liver infections with pus pockets before the “catastrophic” life ending injuries. UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Is there any medical concern about why Kentucky has so many liver infections ( a cluster) or are they just not documented in other venues ?!
Too bad MyRacehorse won’t be showing the kids and their families all the crippled racehorses that their program has created, but alas they have dumped most of them at auction to try to recoup the cost for the “investors”. Or maybe they could show them a replay of Vertical Threat’s death? You know, just to give them the full, immersive experience of horse racing?
Everyone has a right to learn, I think. I know these so-called non-profit organizations are corporate money mongers that don’t want to pay taxes. What is new??? That’s how they roll in New York!!! I know these bogus non-profits are wanting to brainwash these young children into thinking this horseracing industry is great.
The horses themselves are great. When these children start seeing for themselves how the horses are treated, some of these children aren’t going to like it.
These young people are going to have a first-hand view of how disgusting and vile the horse racing industry really is!!!!!
When these children are old enough to learn more about the reality of what happened to such and such horse, a horse they knew by name and color, et cetera, they will be thoroughly horrified! Any of these children that are not born sociopathic psychopaths are going to be totally repulsed when they eventually see the blood and the guts and the gore and the cruelty to the horses that they were once able to see and admire. When these children find out the average lifespan of a horse is 20 to 40 years and that the average lifespan of a horse exploited as a racehorse is 2 to 4 years, they are going to question that. If they are not born sociopathic psychopaths, they are going to turn away from horseracing possibly sooner rather than later.
Clearly there’s a very concerning shortage of dinosaur blood sport addicts. So, come on, kiddies! We’re about to show you the wonderful world of horse racing! Then, we’ll take you on a tour of your local dog fighting ring, then on a field trip to a tobacco farm and cigarette factory. Won’t that be fun? Finally, to round out your “education,” we’ll give you tickets to a snuff film festival — because who doesn’t like movies?
Remember, children: abuse and addiction are your birthrights. So we as responsible adults know that to Grow the Game, we need to recruit new abusers and addicts. If we don’t, the industry will just wither and die. And that would be no fun at all.