Rulings by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission against driver Jordan Ross this year – all at Hoosier Park:
“While driving Fashion Baby on Apr 1, Jordan Ross did cause welts while whipping the horse.” Fine: $200. Then this: “Penalty was mitigated because Mr. Ross was within the IHRC whipping guidelines.”
“While driving The Pantheist A on Jun 3, Jordan Ross did cause welts while whipping the horse.” Fine: $300. Then this: “Penalty was mitigated because Mr. Ross was within the whipping guidelines.”
“While driving Hallmark Janie on Jun 7 [yes, four days later], Jordan Ross did cause welts while whipping the horse.” Fine: $300. Then this: “Penalty was mitigated because Mr. Ross was within the whipping guidelines.”
“While driving Rollinwitdaponyzzz on Jul 14, Jordan Ross did welt the horse. For this violation Mr. Ross is suspended three days. Mr. Ross was also cautioned that any further incident of this type would lead to increased penalties.”
So you would think at this point if he did it again, Ross would have the book thrown at him – meaning, at a minimum, license stripped. Well, Oct 25:
“While driving Straight Denim, Jordan Ross did cause welts while whipping the horse. Mr. Ross is fined $300. Mr. Ross waived his right to a hearing and agreed to the penalty.” Then: “Penalty was mitigated because Mr. Ross was within the IHRC whipping guidelines and it had been more than 100 days since his last whipping violation.” That “more than 100 days since”? How convenient: The last one had occurred Jul 14 – 102 days prior.
This, of course, is the same feckless, compromised racing commission that failed to hold Dale Hiteman accountable. In that case, we forced the issue, and the Madison County Prosecutor did. Now, we must act again. From the Indiana cruelty statutes:
“‘Abuse’ means to knowingly or intentionally beat, torment, injure, or otherwise harm an animal. A person who knowingly or intentionally abuses a vertebrate animal commits cruelty to an animal, a Class A misdemeanor.”
Again, just since April, we have documented five separate incidents of Ross (below) whipping so hard he left welts on his horses. What more evidence do we need?
Madison County DA: 765-641-9585
Prosecutor Rodney Cummings: rcummings@madisoncounty.in.gov
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Hanna: ahanna@madisoncounty.in.gov
Jordan Ross is in a YouTube video being interviewed by a Wendy Ross regarding his representing the United States in the 2023 World Championships.
It’s so disgusting that horseracing involves abuse and excessive abuse to horses. It’s so disturbing and disgusting that anyone would put these abusers of horses on a pedestal because they whip racehorses to cross the finish line first.
Do we know anything about the condition and whereabouts of Princess yet? The Dale Hiteman victim.
Sent emails to both prosecutors listed. I wish I was confident something would be done.