Through a FOIA request to the Maryland Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks thus far this year.
Goldbar, Jan 14, Laurel T
“The horse was tacked in his barn in anticipation of training. The horse collapsed but was able to stand again. The horse collapsed a second time [and had a] seizure. The horse’s membranes then turned dark red. Blood poured from the horse’s nose following euthanasia. Suspected thorax trauma.”
Goldbar was three years old.
Utterly Courageous, Mar 5, Laurel T (euth Mar 29)
“The horse broke down at the top of the stretch: comminuted, displaced sesamoid fracture. After several weeks of treatment in her stall, it was decided to euthanize.”
Dr. Daniel (commission vet): “It would seem that her treatment was spotty with several missed days of treatment for pain. Ultimately, [she] developed laminitis in [opposite foot].”
Utterly Courageous was four years old.
Forth, Mar 25, Laurel R
“Approaching the 1/4 pole, the horse collapsed to the dirt: compound, comminuted, displaced fracture of cannon – euthanized on the track.”
Forth (below) was four years old.
Notion Street, Apr 8, Laurel T
“Jockey noticed something was not right and pulled up the horse: [multiple] fractures.” Also: “The right eye and lip are missing from rat predation while awaiting necropsy.”
Notion Street was three years old.
Golden Pegasus, Apr 20, Laurel R
“After passing the 3/8 pole, the horse broke down: multiple fractures, tremendous soft-tissue damage, euthanized on the track.” Also: “The degenerative joint disease that is present in the fetlock joints is common in a racehorse this age.” What was his age? Four.
Jockey William Humphrey: “I heard a loud crack and the horse broke down.”
Just when I thought I had seen it all, Patrick posted this photo. It will be impossible to unsee it. RIP Forth. May light perpetual shine on you.
It seems to me that the veterinarians and everyone involved in horse racing in Maryland have no regard whatsoever for the fact that they are abusing horses, and abusing horses with Degenerative Joint Disease. It’s as if they have no moral consciousness whatsoever that what they are doing to horses is wrong.
Are they proud of what they are doing? Are they proud of fatally abusing horses? It sure seems that way.
There are so many different people in horse racing that epitomize the moral depravity of what they do to the horses. Mike Repole is whining (in a racing industry publication) about not being allowed to run FORTE in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. The colt had a bruised hoof and they, Repole and Pletcher, violated the doping rules regarding FORTE in September of 2022.
Mike Repole is passing the buck of responsibility because he wants to be able to get away with running an injured horse and dope him up so he can’t feel the pain.
The Maryland racing industry (and Mike Repole) display moral depravity. They show no sense of shame for their misdeeds.
Reading about Utterly Courageous made me both sick and enraged: “spotty” treatment with several days of missed pain treatment for a displaced sesamoid fracture?! Seriously!!!??? There are no words – that I can use on this site – for these……..people.
I agree with Wanda Diamond. These people who deal with the horses in the sport of horseracing have no shame. They abuse and kill these horses with no moral consciousness. What is wrong with the owners of the horses? They do they not care enough about their horses to allow this to happen.