Through a FOIA request to the New Jersey Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s two remaining tracks last year (this is part 2; part 1 here). One caveat: According to the Commission, only one harness horse died in all of 2025; the Meadowlands is open year-round with over 100 racedays. So…
Optic Way, Jul 6, Monmouth T
“Horse flipped, hit head, died.” The details: “brainstem completely severed; multiple severe skull fractures; brainstem, cranial spinal cord, sphenoid sinus exposed.” And this: “Incidental findings include a pulmonary granuloma and gastric ulcers.” Optic Way was 10 and had been put to the whip 72 times – and still they wanted more.
Bestie, Jul 11, Monmouth T
“Multiple severe, complete fractures.” Bestie was three and being prepped for his debut.
Been Real Busy, Jul 13, Monmouth T
“Sudden death while cooling out following a breeze – cause undetermined.” Been Real Busy was four – “sudden death.”
Signature Cocktail, Jul 18, Monmouth R
“Pulled up lame: [multiple] acute, displaced fractures; complete ligament rupture; abundant associated hemorrhage.” Signature was three.
Starting Over, Jul 19, Monmouth R
“Shattered sesamoids, dislocated fetlock, ruptured ligament, torn tendon.” Also: “chronic cartilage erosion, osteochondral disease – all limbs.” Starting Over was eight.
Irish Boolum, Jul 26, Monmouth S
“Intestinal torsion.” Irish was six and had last been raced six days prior (finished last).
I’m On Fire, Aug 6, Monmouth T
“[Multiple] fractures, [multiple] ruptures, [multiple] tears, extensive hemorrhage, displaced joint.” Also noted, one of the fractured bones had previously been repaired with “surgical hardware,” with the new fracture “exposing the head and neck of a screw.” Also: “advanced osteochondral defects [all four limbs].” I’m On Fire was five.
Expansionary, Aug 22, Monmouth T
“[Multiple] complete fractures; [multiple] complete ruptures; severe splitting and fraying; large open wound exposing the fetlock joint.” Also: “early osteochondral disease [three limbs].” Expansionary was three and being prepped for his debut.
Tap Tap Russ, Aug 22, Monmouth R
“[Multiple] fractures.” Tap Tap was three.
Majestic Venezuela, Aug 30, Monmouth R
“Flipped and died on track: multiple severely comminuted and displaced skull fractures with compression and crushing of the brainstem.” They added: “Blood drained from nose and mouth and was present in inner ear canals.” Majestic was four.
Bickerton, Aug 31, Monmouth R
“Horse went down [with] catastrophic injury to the pelvis: bilateral [both sides] comminuted, displaced fractures; extensive muscle tearing with ruptures; extensive hemorrhage into the pelvic canal.” Bickerton was two, and this was her very first race.
Estefania Light, Sep 21, Monmouth T
“[Multiple] complete, comminuted, displaced fractures – multiple missing fragments; digital extensor tendon ruptured; several ligaments severely disrupted by tears.” They added these details: “The distal portion of the limb was attached to the proximal portion only by skin and tendons. Environmental debris (i.e., dirt, grass) contaminated the fracture site and was compacted in the cavity of the MC3.” Also: “early osteochondral disease [all four limbs].” Estefania was three. Now re-read how this practical baby died.
Micro Brewsky, Sep 27, Meadowlands R
“Complete, displaced fracture; complete rupture; severe splitting and fraying.” Also: “advanced osteochondral disease [both front limbs].” Micro was five.
Since Jan 1, 2014, when Horseracing Wrongs began the unprecedented work of reporting kills in the U.S. horseracing industry, 255 (that we know about) horses have perished at New Jersey tracks. That’s 255 beautiful, intelligent, sensitive beings sacrificed for nothing more than $2 bets. Are we not better than this, America?
Horse racing is so cruel that people who subject horses to physical injuries by this type of cruelty should be put in jail. It is too easy for these people to just keep doing this stuff over and over and not have to answer to any higher authority.
Osteochondral disease is common in fast growing young horses. Googling it, I saw that yearlings must not be allowed to grow fast. Reading between the lines, I’m thinking growth hormones are given to foals and yearlings to promote muscle growth. What happens is cartilage doesn’t transform to bone, as it should. So, it looks like when these horses start training and racing, their bones around joints, aren’t bone. What should have become bone is still soft cartilage. And weaker than healthy bone. Another reason that no horse should be worked in any capacity until a vet proves the horse is physically mature. If that means a horse is 5, or 7, well, maybe the prospect of an expensive pasture pet that you’ve taught to stand still for the vet or farrier, and you can teach manners and tricks to, like a dog, maybe that will dissuade people from owning racehorses. Fewer would be bred and born. Those that are, would become pleasure riding horses and therapy horses. And, would be physically mature when they begin to be ridden.
One hopes.
As for the horse who was found to have ulcers, this horse’s trainer took it for granted it was in pain while training and racing, I am thinking. So, the horse got a daily dose of NSAIDS. Seeing as many horses are fed on our schedule, not their body’s schedules, they are probably given NSAIDS on an empty stomach. Which is going to result in ulcers sooner or later. Advil is an NSAID. Read the label. It’ll tell you to take it WITH food. My doctor says to take it not just with a few crackers, but a meal.
The life of a horse.