Through a FOIA request to the Kentucky Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks thus far this year (because of the volume, I will be posting in installments).
open fracture: bone broke through the skin
comminuted fracture: bone shattered into multiple pieces
displaced fracture: bone snapped out of place
Miss Merci Mae, Jan 3, Keeneland T (euth Jan 6)
“Complete, displaced condylar fracture; complete, comminuted sesamoid fracture; ruptured ligament.” Miss Merci was two and being prepped for her debut.
Past Imperative, Feb 10, Triple Diamonds T (euth Feb 11)
“Complete, displaced fracture; large region of acutely excoriated cartilage.” Also (of course): “severe, chronic stomach ulceration.” Then this: “Palmar osteochondral disease is a recognized predisposing lesion to condylar fractures in Thoroughbred racehorses, as evidenced in this case.” Past Imperative was seven.
Mustique, May 9, Churchill R
“Pulled up after finish with catastrophic injury: [multiple] comminuted fractures; soft-tissue damage severe, including rupture of intersesamoidian ligament and tearing of superficial digital flexor, deep digital flexor, medial and lateral aspects of annular ligament, body and both branches of suspensory ligament, straight sesamoidian ligaments, and oblique sesamoidian ligament.” Or, leg destroyed. Mustique was but three.
Not Me, May 10, Keeneland T
“[Spooked prior to gallop], reared up, fell backward, died immediately.” Not Me had just turned two and was being prepped for her debut.
Mans Grace, May 21, Keeneland S
“Treated for acute, necrotizing colitis May 20. Worse May 21, down on trailer and agonal, euthanized.” Also: “grade-3 ulcer disease.” Mans had just turned two and was coming off his first race, May 8.
Over Proof, Jun 19, Turfway T
“Racehorse sustained complete, displaced, comminuted MT3 fracture; avulsion fracture of sesamoid; ligament rupture.” Over Proof was three.
RIP
The “horse-people” in Kentucky will be abusing, dumping, abandoning, and killing horses for longer than most of the other states in the United States because they seem to have a limited range of occupational opportunities in Kentucky and they produce more Thoroughbred foals registered by the Jockey Club in Kentucky than any other state.
The abuse of horses in Kentucky is just as criminal there as the abuse of horses in any other state or province or country. The reality of horse racing is very disappointing to say the least.
The idea of not exploiting yearlings for this abusive industry would be laughable to these heathenistic thinkers. They should be charged with the crime of Animal Cruelty. People need to get their heads out of the sand about the Kentucky Derby.