Through a FOIA request to the Washington Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at Emerald Downs last year.
Sausage, Mar 14, Emerald T
“There is extensive muscle tearing and hemorrhage surrounding the left humerus and a complete, comminuted fracture is present.” Also: “stomach ulcers.” Sausage was two years old and being prepped for her first race.
Lovely Josephine, May 9, Emerald T
“The left humerus is disrupted by a complete, oblique fracture comprised of a 19-cm segment and a 22-cm segment.” Lovely was four years old.
Wild Harbor, May 11, Emerald S
“The most significant gross finding is the severe ulceration of the gastric mucosa, which due to the severity likely resulted in clinical signs.” They added: “Considerations for these changes include management and husbandry, training, pharmacologic (NSAIDs), or other causes.” Also, in the cecum: “transverse and oblique cross-sections of a metazoan parasite.” Wild was three years old and being prepped for his first race.
Big Mama Thornton, Jun 29, Emerald R
“The most significant findings are generalized petechiae and pulmonary hemorrhage, which are suggestive of exertional heat illness/heat stroke as the most likely cause of death in this horse.” Also: “chronic stomach ulcers.” Big Mama was six years old.
Bruiser, Jul 3, Emerald T
“Exercise-associated sudden death.” Also: “Greater than 80% of the gastric mucosa of the glandular stomach is covered by a layer of dark purple to dark brown, glistening material with a subtle green sheen.” They added, almost incidentally: “A black fabric band is tied around the mandible at the level of the interdental space.” Bruiser was four years old.
Don’t Tell Hydee, Aug 11, Emerald S
Causes of death: “Chronic-active arthritis and synovitis of the hock joint; sepsis.” Also: “chronic, severe ulcerative gastritis.” They added: “The ulcerative gastritis is quite deep and could have been an additional source of septicemia for this horse.” Don’t Tell was six years old and had been raced for the 46th time eight days prior. That poor, poor girl.
Lotsa Salita, Aug 24, Emerald S
Cause of death: “Chronic pelvic arthritis.” Also: “seven stomach ulcers.” And: “The inflammatory lesions in the lungs and liver may be indicative of septicemia arising from either the deep dermal wound on the pastern…or the deep gastric ulcers. Prioritized differentials for the gastric ulcers in this horse are stress, concurrent inflammatory disease, and…NSAID use.” Lotsa was three years old – “chronic arthritis.”
Boyish, Aug 24, Emerald T
“Complete, comminuted, displaced tibia fracture – six fragments of bone within the fracture area.” And: “20 staples hold closed a midline laceration on the forehead.” Boyish was two years old and being prepped for his first race.
A Ryder’s Trick, Aug 30, Emerald R (video here)
“Fell [chart said, ‘appeared to take a bad step’]: fractured MC2, MC3, MC4.” That’s a lot of destruction. A Ryder’s was three years old; this race was his fourth that month. Fair to say that breeder/owner Sergio Salguero ran this poor girl into the ground.
Angier, Aug 31, Emerald R
“[Multiple] fractures [chart said, ‘appeared to take a bad step’].” Angier was four years old.
So Bruiser`s connections did not even bother to remove the tongue tie upon his death! How appalling! Of all the death reports we have read posted by Patrick , this is the 1st time we have seen a tongue tie written in a report.We once considered being trainers. We have NEVER used a tongue tie & do not believe in their use on any horses ever. Upon being informed we had to demonstrate there use & because of MANY other reasons we never took a trainers physical test despite passing the written test at > 95%.
Such horrendous abuse and neglect of horses is morally depraved cruelty to horses. The attitude of these people is just revolting!