Through a FOIA request to the Illinois Racing Board, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks in 2024 (this is part 2; part 1 here). Curiously, for the period covered by this request (second half of the year), the Board forwarded no deaths for Hawthorne, even though that track ran till October. When I asked about this (twice), I was met with silence. So, doubtful that what follows is a complete accounting.
Livbeth Lucky, Aug 31, Fairmount T
“Catastrophic breakdown during training: [multiple] open, complete fractures; suspensory ligaments of both right and left forelimbs torn.” Livbeth was three years old and being prepped for her first race.
Snoozer, Sep 4, Fairmount S
“Severe laminitis: distal phalanges of all four feet sinking with dropping soles.” “Severe laminitis,” all four feet. Poor, poor boy. Snoozer was five years old.
Euro Suprise, Sep 10, Fairmount R
“Catastrophic breakdown in the LH: open, comminuted cannon fracture – [multiple] bones protruding through skin.” Then this: “Other findings, such as chronic gastric ulcerations, are considered incidental.” Euro was seven years old.
Kall Kat, Oct 21, Fairmount S
“Developed neurological signs after last start [Jul 30]. Symptoms progressed. Started going down in the stall necessitating humane euthanasia.” Then this frank admission: “Symptoms were likely brought on by the stress of racing.” And finally: “ulceration in the mouth and gastric mucosa were likely incidental.” Kall Kat was four years old.
Gabriella Attack, Oct 24, Fairmount R
“Catastrophic breakdown: highly comminuted phalanx fracture – approximately nine fragments.” And this: “The jejunum contained numbers of adult roundworms that are thick, white, soft, and measure approximately 9 cm.” Gabriella was four years old. This is what a “catastrophic breakdown” looks like…
Teton Pass, Dec 4, Fairmount S
“Colicky Monday evening [Dec 2]. Trainer not here but attempted to find someone to haul to a clinic to treat. Reported that someone was coming, but horse died overnight [found dead].” Teton was three years old and was being prepped for his debut.
Need better proof of wrongdoing. The undiagnosed worms and colic are reprehensible
Patrick and friends of horseracing wrongs: According to ibisworld.com there are 85 active race tracks in the U.S. These stomach churning photos are ample forensic evidence that the horse racing industry needs to be under indictment for felonious abuse of horses resulting in agony and death.
Every District Attorney in the U.S. should be sent copies of the injuries that kill horses and a note of displeasure attached that the guardians of justice are overpaid and underqualified to defend the moral responsibilities of America. Principally the first to receive these photos should be Pat Day, every racing secretary and every custodian of the Jock’s Room across North America. Patrick, do individuals who support justice for horses have your permission to ship these photos to Race Track Chaplaincy of America, the District Attorney for the State of Louisiana and other notorious race tracks? Please advise because I am still awaiting a response concerning Sweet Bureaucracy. Maybe these photos might actually inspire a response the state officials in Louisiana.
“…considered incidental”, “…were likely incidental”, wow, maiming, suffering, and premature death resulting from racing is just incidental. Horse racing is just plain cruelty, and the notations in these autopsies indicate the abominable indifference under which these horses live and die. Horse racing can’t be destroyed fast enough.
What happens at Hawthorne stays at Hawthorne?
The trainer was not available to care for a young, underdeveloped, not physically matured horse with colic. This is just disgusting abuse and neglect of a horse.