Through a FOIA request to the California Horse Racing Board, I have obtained the following details on some of that state’s kills in 2025 (previous ones here).
Big Nash, Oct 6, Santa Anita T
“Collision with another horse, fell, unable to rise: complete, catastrophic fractures of the T6, T7, T8, and T9 vertebrae with impingement and compression of the spinal cord; [multiple] displaced rib fractures; multiple muscular hematomas.” Oh the pain this poor boy, just three, must have experienced.
Starry Heavens, Oct 19, Santa Anita T
“Open, displaced, severely comminuted, biarticular P1 fracture – at least 46 bone fragments [with] several fragments missing; extensor tendon completely torn; joint capsule completely torn; extensive hemorrhage/edema on all sides of the leg.” Or, leg destroyed. Then, “likely incidental finding”: “gastric ulcers.” Starry was five years old.
Inspirational, Nov 20, Santa Anita T
“Rider said [horse] was off. Found dead in stall [next morning].” Cause: “Severe muscular damage consistent primarily with rhabdomyolysis. The trigger of the myopathy appears to have been exercise after a period of resting.” Inspirational was seven years old.
