Through a FOIA request to the Ohio Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks last year (this is part 2; part 1 here).
Megabank K, May 1, Northfield S
“Horse had been colicking for approximately 15 hours. Medical management did not help and the horse was not a surgical candidate. Due to the declining state of the horse, euthanasia was performed.” Megabank was six years old.
Wherewegoin, Jul 21, Belterra S
“Died suddenly in the shedrow – was being treated for an illness.” Wherewegoin was eight years old and had been raced 57 times, most recently nine days prior.
Murtagh, Jul 22, Thistledown R (euth Jul 23)
“5/5 lame [after race], euthanized [next day].” Murtagh was seven years old.
Shell Fire, Jul 22, Thistledown R (same race as above)
“[Multiple] fractures.” Shell Fire was eight years old, and this was his 71st time under the whip. That poor, poor boy.
Iyiyi, Jul 23, Thistledown S
“Colic – torsion, entrapped, severe distress secondary to trauma.” Iyiyi was four years old.
Mr Six, Jul 29, Thistledown R
“[Multiple] fractures, fetlock dropped and unstable.” Mr Six was three years old.
Peanut Nut Butter, Aug 12, Belterra S
“Aug 10: Large colon displacement with palpable bands. Referral declined by owner. Aug 12: Progressively more uncomfortable, referral still declined by owner. Euthanized around 3:30 pm.” Peanut, just three, was being used as a pony at the time of his death.
Chargina, Aug 20, Thistledown R
“Suffered catastrophic injury, fell, euthanized.” Chargina was six years old, and this was her 44th turn under the whip.
Brownie, Aug 21, Thistledown R
“[Multiple] open fractures with full luxation/disarticulation of fetlock.” Brownie was four years old.
Little Rons Rocket, Aug 27, Thistledown R
“Severely displaced fracture, [multiple] fragments.” Little Rons was four years old.
Bubble Trouble, Aug 29, Scioto R
“Breakdown – suspect shattered pastern.” Bubble was three years old.
Royal to Be, Sep 10, Belterra S
“Horse found deceased in her stall. She was being treated for impaction colic of several days duration. Surgery was declined by owner. Two other horses in this stable have been treated for colic in last two weeks.” Royal was six years old and had been raced 43 times.
Nailed It, Sep 12, Northfield T
“Broke down training – [multiple] compound [through the skin], comminuted fractures.” Nailed It was nine years old.
Railin’ Jennings, Sep 15, Northfield R (euth Sep 16)
“Horse did not finish race – comminuted articular fracture. Euthanasia elected due to financial constraints and severity of injury.” Railin’ was six years old.
Mr. Cheeky, Sep 19, Thistledown T
“Rider felt the horse become suddenly (5/5) lame – complete scapular fracture.” Mr. Cheeky was two years old and being prepped for his first race.
Rollin All the Way, Sep 19, Thistledown R
“Horse pulled up 5/5 lame – [multiple] fractures.” Rollin was eight years old, and this was her 57th turn under the whip.
Lunar Event, Sep 20, Belterra R
“Pulled up lame – pelvic fracture.” Lunar was two years old.
Golden Spoke, Sep 24, Thistledown S
“Flipped in wash rack, deceased when [vet] arrived.” Golden was six years old and had been put to the whip 54 times.
It’s About Time, Sep 26, Thistledown R
“[Multiple] fractures with fetlock disarticulation – euthanized on track.” It’s About Time was three years old.
Kinnder Jackson, Oct 17, Dayton R
“While racing, this horse became ataxic, staggered, went down and died quickly (3-4 minutes) – hemorrhage from nostrils and mouth.” Kinnder was nine years old.
Coromandel, Oct 19, Mahoning R
“[Multiple] severely displaced, comminuted fractures.” Coromandel was four years old.
Blame It On Eddie, Nov 4, Mahoning S
“Horse found dead in stall at 5 am. Necropsy revealed severe, acute ileal rupture with severe, acute peritonitis.” Eddie was seven and had been put to the whip 44 times.
yet-to-be-named yearling, Nov 8, Northfield S
“Horse came in for treatment of possible tetanus – stiff limbs, jaw, neck; eyelids covering half the eyes. History of being gelded 10-14 days prior.” Again, just a yearling.
Lannister Hanover, Nov 11, Northfield R
“Fracture – displaced and spiraling up 3/4 of [the bone].” Lannister was five years old.
Onemorandthecheck, Nov 20, Mahoning R
“Horse fractured both RF sesamoids at the 1/8 pole.” Onemor was five years old.
Kelleher, Nov 25, Mahoning R (euth Nov 26)
“[Multiple] fractures, sent to hospital for surgery. Evaluation: too much damage, humanely euthanized Nov 26.” Kelleher was three years old.
Hammerin Aamer, Dec 2, Mahoning S
“Three day history of colic. Decompensated midday Dec 2. Owner/trainer authorized euthanasia.” Hammerin was 10 years old and had been put to the whip 83 times, most recently Nov 14. Bastards.
Prayed Today, Dec 3, Mahoning R
“Horse suffered a catastrophic injury at the 1/4 pole.” Prayed was three years old.
Perfect Hill, Dec 20, Dayton T
“This horse dropped dead abruptly after lightly jogging two miles.” Perfect was but three years old – “dropped dead abruptly.”
Luke’s Lasso, Dec 28, Mahoning T
“Horse suffered a sudden death during training.” Luke’s was two years old (see above).
Soaring Bird, Dec 28, Mahoning T (second training kill that day)
“Horse suffered a catastrophic injury to left fetlock while working.” Soaring was nine years old and had already been raced 60 times. Bastards.
Thank you for all you do and information you supply. I would participate in a peaceful protest. Looks like progress has been made.
Skip
Thank you so much for writing, Skip. We are based in Saratoga country, so we’re well aware of the hype. That said, we’re not deterred, and nationally our side is indisputably winning (see recent developments in Illinois, Michigan, California, and Florida – handy list here). Saratoga – along with the Kentucky tracks and a few others – will take time, but I have no doubt we’ll get there.
I am so happy I found this site. The information is a constant eye opener. Sorry for your losses. I like the museum idea, but the community is a hugh problem. Today is the first day to purchase Belmont at Saratoga tickets. It’s bitter cold and an ice storm here, but the local news channels are all broadcasting from the main gate. The community businesses and groups are all in for the money. They are building high cost luxury condos all over the city. The harness track opened earlier in the month. I’m one of the few that live here that’s against it.
Keep up the good work!!
I’m so sorry, Elizabeth, for the loss of your very beloved Utah.
From your description, Utah sounded like he was an absolutely wonderful horse and companion ………… my heart truly breaks💔 for you.
In this current world of ours, we need —[we *d.e.s.p.e.r.a.t.e.l.y.* need!]— more folks of empathy, compassion, and caring, …………………… e.g., like you & the other kind souls who follow “Horseracing Wrongs,” you know.
31 horses in Ohio and no outrage from the community? This kind of societal apathy is outrageous. I’ve been thinking that maybe a traveling memorial museum might be in order for these-dead-in-the-conscience citizens of Ohio, Kentucky and California.
A walk-in museum containing the history of the equine atrocities that occur every day in America might be the answer to showcasing the crimes used against horses. An Equine Atrocity Museum would embarrass the town of Saratoga, Lexington, Louisville, and anywhere else where horses are dying because of executioner trainers, criminal vets, immoral jockeys, etc.
There must be some people active in the animal rights groups that could construct a portable float or museum to park right outside the Race Track Chaplaincy offices. Louisville has a parade and to haul the portable museum down the avenues of downtown Louisville might just get some thinking action from the citizens of Kentucky and other states…enough embarrassment to motivate apathetic citizens to oppose the felonious abuse of race horses.
A feature in the museum or on the float should also feature posters and the list of victims killed by D. Wayne Lukas, Baffert and the other despicable killers of race horses. Talent to build a museum could be recruited from high school students who have had experience building football floats for their towns and communities. We can’t give justice to the horses that suffered agonizing deaths, but the museum might be a chastisement that might get people to wake up their slumbering brain cells and do something to defeat the evil that exists in the industry that calls itself a royal “sport”.
Elizabeth, my oldest sibling died Feb. 8, 2021 from glioblastoma which was one year after being diagnosed and having two different surgeries. The main part of the tumor was surgically removed but it’s impossible to remove the smaller sections that grow into the brain.
It’s tough to lose loved ones no matter how you look at it. Thinking about how you gave a beautiful horse a decent life free of the daily routine abuse of racing is comforting.
Aw Elizabeth! I am sorry for your loss and grateful you gave Utah a beautiful life in which he was well loved and a dignified ending! I feel your pain and mourning and please know you’re in my thoughts.
So glad I rescued my horse from that awful place, Thistle Downs. That was 28 years ago. Utah, my horse at age 30, was euthanized peacefully yesterday morning. He was diagnosed with a probable brain tumor after several seizures. He was so good for the vet. It was hard to see Utah’s hooves not moving. He was a beautiful mover. A friend said watching Utah was like watching a movie. He soared on wings like an eagle. He ran and did not grow weary (Isaiah 40).
I am in mourning but so grateful for Utah’s happy life. I inhaled a deep breath of Utah, and his scent and spirit will be with me forever. Such a good horse.
These lowlife scumballs in Ohio really know how to be despicable! They abuse their horses and watch them suffer and die.
How can these filthy creeps pretending to be horsemen get away with the absolute refusal to provide veterinary care to any horse that desperately needs immediate veterinary care?
The people in this industry make themselves examples of what not to do and what not to be.
The ABUSIVE NATURE of racing horses and causing them to suffer on purpose and watching them suffer in hideous pain is against all the rules of common decency.
It’s outrageous and unacceptable that these lowlife people can get away with this abuse of horses.