Florida, as I’ve relayed, is among the worst recordkeeping states. And now with HISA as an excuse, I believe the racing commission there isn’t even being made aware of all fatalities. The following 80 horses were ambulanced off Florida’s two tracks (Gulfstream and Tampa Bay) over the 18-month period 1/1/22-6/30/23 – and have not been heard from since. How many of these “athletes” are in fact dead?
Frontier Mesa, Jan 5, 2022 Tampa Bay
Izshefrosted, Jan 12, Tampa Bay
Yes I’m Evil, Jan 13, Gulfstream
Striking It Lucky, Jan 15, Tampa Bay
Palmach, Jan 21, Gulfstream
Fantastic Kingdom, Feb 2, Gulfstream
Arrivederla, Feb 6, Tampa Bay
Mandorla, Feb 20, Gulfstream
Jagger, Feb 20, Gulfstream
Mr. Edgar, Feb 20, Gulfstream
Miss Lady L, Feb 23, Tampa Bay
Eyokile, Feb 25, Gulfstream
Free Spirit, Feb 25, Tampa Bay
Mrbobby Brightside, Feb 27, Gulfstream
Doctor D J, Mar 2, Tampa Bay
Adrianna’s Rocket, Mar 2, Tampa Bay
Patrick’s Lass, Mar 4, Gulfstream
Mi. Tallawah, Mar 6, Gulfstream
Keepsakekitten, Mar 6, Gulfstream
Ameerah B, Mar 6, Gulfstream
Willoughby Gap, Mar 9, Tampa Bay
Silver Cloud, Mar 11, Gulfstream
Naughty Shirley, Mar 12, Gulfstream
Tamiami, Mar 13, Tampa Bay
My Sarasota Star, Mar 25, Tampa Bay
Unico, Mar 26, Gulfstream
Isaias Dream, Mar 26, Tampa Bay
Jack and Noah, Apr 1, Gulfstream
Princess of Swords, Apr 9, Tampa Bay
Lady Younes, Apr 23, Gulfstream
Dazzling Sunshine, May 7, Tampa Bay
Karatbars, May 14, Gulfstream
First Law, May 26, Gulfstream
Gemonteer, Jun 12, Gulfstream
Chancellor Bay, Jun 18, Gulfstream
Ride Little Girl, Jul 2, Gulfstream
Sir Outlaw, Jul 3, Gulfstream
Imperialist, Jul 16, Gulfstream
Chasing Happiness, Aug 27, Gulfstream
Mutaraafeq, Sep 9, Gulfstream
Code Name Lise, Sep 30, Gulfstream
Justlyrewarded, Oct 2, Gulfstream
Curlin’s Coleen, Nov 18, Gulfstream (though not reported as vanned, “bled”)
Cajun Spice, Nov 25, Tampa Bay
Nippon, Nov 26, Tampa Bay
Moto Moto, Nov 26, Tampa Bay
Meteorito, Dec 1, Gulfstream
Fortunate Friends, Dec 9, Tampa Bay
Urban Heiress, Dec 10, Tampa Bay
Dubai Key, Dec 24, Gulfstream
Karenville, Dec 29, Gulfstream
Takemyshot, Jan 7, 2023, Gulfstream
Seeking Stardom, Jan 29, Gulfstream
Blank’s Hat Trick, Jan 29, Tampa Bay
Defend Yourself, Feb 12, Tampa Bay
Morning Stride, Feb 15, Gulfstream
Sidney Sue, Feb 19, Gulfstream
Gam Gam Joann, Feb 19, Gulfstream
Rusty Pistol, Feb 24, Tampa Bay
Tizmet, Feb 25, Gulfstream
Poppy’s Boys, Feb 26, Gulfstream
Captain Lava, Mar 4, Tampa Bay
My Voodoo Doll, Mar 9, Gulfstream
Maxx Magic, Mar 10, Gulfstream
Live Like Laura, Mar 11, Gulfstream
Monegasque, Mar 11, Gulfstream
Selfmade, Mar 15, Gulfstream
Calibrator, Mar 16, Gulfstream
Kyle’s Degree, Mar 22, Tampa Bay
Mia’s Authority, Mar 26, Gulfstream
About Today, Mar 29, Tampa Bay
Castaway Cay, Mar 31, Tampa Bay
Hit by a Wave, Apr 15, Tampa Bay
Cajun Tease, Apr 16, Gulfstream
Street Soldier, Apr 21, Gulfstream
My Insanity, Apr 28, Gulfstream
Redjack, May 4, Gulfstream
J R’s Pride, May 13, Gulfstream
Flash Dear, Jun 16, Gulfstream
Sammy’s Town, Jun 30, Gulfstream
I own Patrick’s Lass so we know she made it!
Who knew…indeed 🤣
Keeping in mind that Ocala, Florida in Marion County is known as “The Horse Capital of the World” and that they boast of producing champion horses of different equestrian disciplines, you would think keeping meticulous records would be a top priority. Evidently, the horse racing industry people have a lot to hide.
Also, there have been reports in the past that indicate that the illegal killing and butchering of horses for selling the meat on the black market is something that really happened in Florida. One price per pound for illegally butchered horse meat was $40 per pound approximately five or more years ago. I have no updated information on this illegal activity that seems to be something that, as far as I know, the police don’t really pursue, because horses are shipped to slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada anyway, plus they need to have evidence of a specific suspect or suspects as well.
Who knew Florida even had a racing commission? I figured they operate more or less like Puerto Rico (which is, not surprisingly, one of Florida’s favorite horse-dumping grounds.)
Haul ’em in, break ’em down, then quietly make ’em (poof!) disappear, with none of that pesky paperwork to have to deal with.
I think it’s a safe bet to say that whatever these not-nice people did to these horses, it wasn’t pretty!
My guess is that most of them, if not all, went to slaughter…