Through a FOIA request to the Oregon Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks in 2025. This one, however, comes with major caveats. First, I know of a kill last year (Lusma) that was not included with the FOIA response (Oregon’s recordkeeping has always been slipshod). What’s more, there were zero training/stall kills disclosed by the Commission. I, of course, brought all this to the attention of the executive director:
Me: “Good morning. Do you not have information on training and stall deaths? No reflection on you because you can only pass along what you’ve received, but having done this for a very long time it’s likely there were also deaths during morning training or back in the stalls. Also, Lusma, who broke down during a race at Grants Pass Oct 5, has a death report on file with the Jockey Club. Perhaps her connections never notified your office? And finally, there were two other horses ‘vanned off’ who have not returned to racing: Racer Lucero, Jun 6, Eastern Oregon – ‘went wrong’; Dos Zensation, Sep 22, Grants Pass – ‘fell.’ Could you check on them?”
ED: “I do know there was one death due to colic that was during training. I only got the information third hand though. It was at Grants Pass.”
Me: “So the horsemen/tracks are not required to report training/stall deaths? And do you have a name/date on that one you heard about?”
ED: “That is a new policy we are just now implementing. I do not have the name.”
Me: “So for the record, the Commission has no knowledge of horses who die in training or back in their stalls? With such an emphasis on more transparency in other racing states, this seems rather regressive.”
ED: “We are in the process of fixing this. The one that did die we talked to the General Manager who is relatively new and stressed the importance of this.”
So there you have it. (Note: some version of this – let’s call them information gaps – exists in most other states.) Anyway, here are the two that were sent, and how ugly they are:
Re Sicario, Jun 21, Grants Pass R
“Complete, comminuted fracture involving proximal humeral physis and metaphysis, right and left elbows; severe soft-tissue hemorrhage.” That’s right and left. Also: “bilateral degeneration of humeral cartilage.” Also: “severe stomach ulceration – dozens of ulcers.” And finally: “severe, chronic pneumonia.” The pathologist went on to say: “In my opinion, [the pulmonary disease] is sufficiently severe to cause some degree of clinical signs – e.g., nasal discharge, cough, reduced exercise performance.” So, they raced this poor boy, just three, with pneumonia, not to mention “dozens of ulcers.” Killers and bastards.
Hot Dusty Moon, Aug 9, Tillamook R
“Severe, acute, open, complete, comminuted fracture of the distal right radius.” They added: “There is extensive exposure of the bone and surrounding fascia, which is covered by a thick layer of dirt and debris.” And, of course: “multifocal to coalescing gastric ulceration.” Hot Dusty was four years old.
Thankfully, Portland Meadows in Oregon and Les Bois Park in Idaho have been shut down regardless of political ideology.
Sadly Rose , outside a few metro areas Oregon is NOT a progressive state! We were so pleased to see picketing at Portland Meadows in its last years of operation. The rural areas where these 1/2 mile bull ring tracks are located are not progressive at all. Still back centuries in their treatment of all horses.
There is so much cruelty in the ugly business of racing it is shameful. But Oregon being such a “progressive “ state one would think the animals would fare better.
What a bunch of hypocrites…
What exactly is their “new” policy? To say “That is our new policy” is vague.
It sounds like they are not held to any standard of accountability and can get away with just about anything as far as recording what happens to all horses under the jurisdiction of the Oregon Racing Commission.
Also, who is responsible for allowing sick horses to be forced to run in training or racing? Such cold-hearted incompetence should be an arrestable offense. The trainer should be arrested for Animal Cruelty but the track veterinarian and the racing secretary should also lose their jobs and be arrested for Animal Cruelty.
Grants Pass racetrack should be shut down for Animal Cruelty.
The county fair racetracks are most likely responsible for more carnage than is being disclosed.
Severe, chronic, pneumonia, and they raced him? Why are these people not brought up on charges of animal cruelty? All of them. I simply don’t understand it.
Oh boy! Our good old state of Oregon slipshod & all. This state does not even do proper background checks that used to require fingerprinting when we 1st had a racing license in 1977! The Tillamook meet had a horse break from the gate which is extremely close to the last turn turn left & run the opposite way during a race!! Have been on that track many times as that is where we started riding Thoroughbreds in 1983. That track is not good. Not even as a training track. Either its deep or hard. Slipshod is a perfect description on how everything is operated in this state. Typical of racing here in Oregon. We have had horses race here that were tested later + for EIA in 1/4 horse races at our now defunct Portland Meadows some years ago. We rode many of these poor suffering horses. Dead lame at walk. hit in face by riders on backside out of site by the public & track stewards. Can hardly wait until racing & rodeos are all gone!