Through a FOIA request to the West Virginia Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s two tracks thus far this year. Please note how many of these poor horses were made to suffer days – or even months – with horrible injuries before being euthanized. It is, in a word, unconscionable.
Genesis G G, Aug 5 (2021), Charles Town T (euth Mar 21) – “neck/back injury”
Jack’s Ruca, Nov 6 (2021), Charles Town R (euth Feb 18) – “slab fracture”
Felons Only, Jan 5, Charles Town T – “compound fracture, MCIII”
Glory March, Jan 15, Charles Town R – “fractured both LF sesamoids”
Miss Bee Hiving, Jan 27, Charles Town R (euth Jan 31) – “multiple fractures”
Church of Many, Jan 27, Charles Town R (euth Apr 22) – “multiple chips”
Atrani, Jan 31, Charles Town T – “fractured fetlock”
Destiny’s Charge, Feb 11, Charles Town S – “neurologic, unable to get up”
Bee Jealous, Feb 11, Charles Town R (euth Feb 12) – “slab fracture” (first ever race)
Swing Your Sword, Feb 11, Charles Town R (euth Feb 12) – “[multiple] fractures”
Windrush Karma, Feb 12, Charles Town R – “carpus fracture”
Battletown, Feb 17, Charles Town T – “fractured neck” (being trained for first race)
Harbour Town, Feb 17, Charles Town T – “fractured neck” (probably related to above)
Windsors Tail, Feb 25, Charles Town R – “fractured fetlock”
Mary Boppins Too, Mar 11, Charles Town R (euth Mar 15) – “slab fracture”
Dig for Treasure, Mar 17, Charles Town S – “jaw/sinus”
Dr. Grant, Mar 18, Charles Town R – “fractured fetlock”
Classy Jean, Mar 19, Charles Town T – “fractured sesamoid”
Dr. Devera’s Way, Mar 25, Charles Town R – “fractured fetlock”
Jaxbradenrishi, Mar 31, Charles Town R (euth Apr 18) – “[multiple] fractures, avulsion”
unidentified, Apr 2, Mountaineer S – “colic”
Until Now, Apr 4, Charles Town T (euth Apr 8) – “fractured sesamoid”
Tivano, Apr 12, Charles Town S – “found deceased in morning” (five years old)
unidentified, Apr 15, Mountaineer S – “tetanus”
Upheaval, Apr 21, Charles Town R – “sustained fatal injury past finish line”
Sense of Music, Apr 23, Charles Town T – “bled both nostrils”
First Victory, Apr 24, Mountaineer R – “[multiple] fractures, ruptured ligaments”
Popizar, Apr 24, Mountaineer R – “comminuted scapula fracture”
Decreed, Apr 30, Charles Town S – “seizures” (raced in Mar)
Poppy’s Two Step, May 4, Charles Town R – “sudden death post-race” (10 years old)
What an Ox, May 9, Charles Town S – “laceration, founder” (raced in Mar)
Officer Slew, May 11, Charles Town T – “[multiple] fractures”
Quid Pro Quo, May 11, Charles Town T – “condylar fracture”
Vino Rojo, May 13, Charles Town T (euth May 14) – “slab fracture”
Sharpin, May 18, Mountaineer S – “colic” (had been raced 40 times)
Pigeon Forge, May 19, Charles Town R (euth May 20) – “slab fracture”
Blushing Mary, May 21, Charles Town T – “fractured pastern” (two years old)
Shamcat, May 25, Charles Town S – “stall [death]” (raced May 14)
Crossthebay, Jun 1, Mountaineer R – “luxated fetlock”
Driven to Succeed, Jun 2, Charles Town T – “condyle fracture”
Bought by Diva, Jun 17, Charles Town S – “colitis” (raced Jun 3)
Fighting Miss, Jun 18, Mountaineer T – “comminuted scapula fracture”
Bahamian Girl, Jun 23, Charles Town R (euth Jun 24) – “heatstroke, fractured pelvis”
Miss Fraulein, Jun 24, Charles Town S – “infection, laminitis”
from what you have entered how does the public know how they “suffered”
The tracks in West Virginia are where horses go to die. Makes me ashamed as I live here.
ALL injuries are unconscionable. And that’s the problem isn’t it?
We can “accept” that trainers, owners and others involved are indifferent to the cruelty, pain and suffering in the name of the dollar. That’s understood…but this is about the VERY people that could end horse and dog racing FOR EVER.
It’s the punter.
He, or she go to the races regularly, (this is a real punter), not just a person that bets once a year on the British Grand National, a well known killer of horses, or the Kentucky Derby.
This is race after race after race, several or every day of the week.
These charming people must know what happens to horses, the mild injuries to the ones severe enough to end in a bullet in the head. But hey, they need their relaxation don’t they, and they need extra money, always.
But THAT is nothing, because these cockroaches are quite happy to even TAKE THEIR CHILDREN TO WITNESS THE BLOODBATH!
Remind you of anything? The Roman area perhaps?
If we can make the punters feel queasy, sick to their stomachs, even just a little sympathetic to the horse we can win. As it stands it really is a HUGE obstacle to meet.
If people are overcome with an addition to something, it isn’t as simple as making someone queasy or some outside stimulus to repulse them from whatever addiction they have. For example, people that drink alcohol every day and are categorized as alcoholics have a type of illness in some way that is more complicated than just making them sick of it or repulsed by it. They have a compulsive disorder that makes them drink even though they know better in their brains and their minds. They know that they should not take this drink but they’re compulsion makes them do it anyway. It’s one of the reasons that Alcoholics Anonymous is very helpful. AA helps a lot of people. If there is a 12-step program (something similar to AA) for gambling addictions, that would be worth promoting for the good of society as a whole.
Being repulsed by the gruesome injuries and the deaths of horses only works to stop people who don’t have a serious addiction to gambling.
No humanity at all. Leaving animals to suffer with multiple fractures and injuries.