Through a FOIA request to the New Mexico Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks last year (this is part 2; part 1 here). Note: NM’s recordkeeping has historically been the worst in the nation. While I do believe they have been making an effort to improve, I am sure we are not even remotely getting them all.
Line Call, Jan 10, Sunland T
“Sudden death.” Line Call was six years old.
Babyitshotoutside, Feb 22, Sunland S
“Suspect colic.” Baby was six and had last been raced in Dec.
Mw Child of the Moon, Mar 8, Sunland S
“Sudden death – colic.” Mw was three and had last been raced in Dec.
Cs Gray Ghost, Mar 16, Sunland R
“Fell past wire: lumbar trauma.” Cs was two; this was his first race.
Gimme Money, Apr 3, Sunland R
“[Multiple] fractures.” Gimme was four.
Fast Pace Dot, Apr 4, Sunland T
“Impaled rail into chest cavity.” Fast Pace was two and being prepped for her first race.
Hardtokatch, May 25, Ruidoso R
“Collapsed…euthanized on track.” Hardtokatch was three.
Lilis Favorite, May 25, Ruidoso R
“Fracture above stifle.” Lilis was three.
Dtr Dirty Cash, Jun 7, Ruidoso R
“Fell: spinal [injury], euthanized on track.” Dtr was five.
Whirlaway Twister, Jun 20, Ruidoso T
“Collapsed during morning training – bled out.” Whirlaway was three.
M G La Jefa, Aug 22, Albuquerque S
“Colic, euthanized.” M G was two and being prepped for her first race.
Fervents Spirit, Aug 31, Albuquerque R
“[Died after race].” Fervents was four.
Caray, Sep 4, Albuquerque S
“Colic – [found dead].” Caray was three.
Heza Classy Now, Sep 4, Albuquerque R
“[Multiple] displaced fractures, rupture – euthanized on track.” Heza was seven.
Bp a Million Dreams, Sep 5, Albuquerque R
“Severe, comminuted fracture – euthanized on track.” Bp was three.
Abstract Lilly, Sep 7, Albuquerque R
“Comminuted fracture – euthanized on track.” Abstract was five.
Macho First Prize, Sep 10, Albuquerque R
“Fetlock fracture, euthanized on track.” Macho was three.
Big Cash Daddy, Sep 19, Albuquerque R
“Pulmonary hemorrhage, [sudden death].” Big Cash was two.
Move Over, Oct 5, Albuquerque R
“Fell: compound, comminuted, displaced fracture – euthanized on track.” Mover Over was 10, and this was his 81st race. Bastards.
Sir Greyson, Oct 25, Albuquerque T
“Horse found deceased in stall approximately one hour post-work.” Sir Greyson was six; he had been sold prior to his last race, Oct 8.
Havingaverygoodday, Nov 3, Zia R
“[Multiple] compound, comminuted fractures; marked soft-tissue damage.” Havingaverygoodday was two; this was his first race.
High On Cuervo, Nov 14, Zia R
“[Multiple] open fractures, disarticulated joint.” High On was six; this was his 61st race.
Holland Rock, Nov 18, Zia S
“Colic – euthanized.” Holland was six.
Eye Am Mr Valentino, Nov 23, Zia S
“Colic – died [died, not euthanized].” Eye Am, three, was being prepped for his first race.
Crockett, Nov 25, Zia R
“Fell approaching 1/8 pole: [multiple] compound fractures, disarticulated joint.” Crockett was three.
Eyes On Melissa, Nov 29, Zia R
“Slab fracture past wire.” Eyes On was four.
Rime Special Effort, Dec 1, Zia T
“Disarticulated fetlock.” Rime was four.
Kottle Kounty Kid, Dec 8, Zia T
“[Multiple] comminuted fractures; marked tissue damage.” Kottle was three.
Masino, Dec 16, Zia R
“Fell approaching 1/4 pole: [multiple] compound fractures.” Masino was three, and this was his second race.
Since Jan 1, 2014, when Horseracing Wrongs began the unprecedented work of reporting kills in the U.S. horseracing industry, 851 (that we know about) horses have perished at New Mexico tracks. That’s 851 beautiful, intelligent, sensitive beings sacrificed for nothing more than $2 bets. Are we not better than this, America?
Actually I just read this morning somewhere one of the former out of business racetracks are being considered for the car racing industry. It works perfectly when you think about it. The venue was really dilapidated looking and I’m sorry not to know which one they were inquiring but better than the killing field for innocent beautiful creatures.
Found dead. To me, this shows that racing is not making money. Tracks are failing. People aren’t going to tracks anymore. If they were, the tracks would have revenue coming in. They’d be showing a good profit. But, a horse dying of colic is in agony. It’s going to be screaming, kicking its stall, anything to bring attention to its suffering. That no one hears, tells me, security is sparse. No one is even patrolling stall areas, and as a result, these horses are dying horrible deaths, alone. If only from a financial point of view, close tracks down. Sell the land to a developer for much needed housing.
Better yet, plow the track under, plant grasses, and turn the area into pasture. Same with the grandstands. Turn the entire place into a retirement home for racehorses and rescues from kill auctions.