Through a FOIA request to the California Horse Racing Board, I have obtained the following details on some of that state’s kills last year (more can be found here).
Information, Sep 12, Los Alamitos T
“Horse broke down while breezing: open [through the skin], complete, displaced, comminuted fracture; [multiple] torn tendons; [multiple] torn ligaments; complete rupture of the fetlock joint capsule.” Also: “osteochondral disease [both front limbs].” Information was but three years old.
Comeuppance, Oct 30, Golden Gate T (euth Nov 4)
“Horse worked Oct 30, came back lame. [Five days later], horse collapsed, gums pale, became agonal and expired: [multiple] complete, displaced pelvic fractures; severe hemothorax; 13cm laceration in the diaphragm; gastric herniation.” Comeuppance was just two years old. Oh, how this poor baby suffered.
One More Bid, Nov 30, Santa Anita T
“Died suddenly while training, cause not apparent.” One More Bid was four years old.
Its Happy Hour, Dec 2, Golden Gate R
“Catastrophic – complete, displaced, comminuted – fractures of all metacarpal bones and the third carpal bone; complete rupture of joint capsule.” The necropsy added: “Preexisting lesions in the MC3 and C3 probably resulted in the catastrophic end of this horse,” adding, “metacarpal disease [both front limbs].” Its Happy Hour was also just two.
No person under the jurisdiction of the Board shall alone or in concert with another person permit or cause an animal under his control or care to suffer any form of cruelty, mistreatment, neglect, or abuse. Nor shall such person abandon; injure; maim; kill; administer a noxious or harmful substance to; or deprive an animal of necessary care, sustenance, shelter or veterinary care.
California Code Regulations, Title 4, Section 1902.5 / Animal Welfare.
(This explains why horse racing should be banned.)