Through a FOIA request to the Texas Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following 16 kills at that state’s tracks thus far this year. Please note, however, that the Commission did not forward a single stall death. Worse, over the past 12 months, the Commission is claiming only one stall death at all Texas tracks. Impossible. In addition, Smartcents was not on the FOIA docs even though she was definitively (Jockey Club) killed in a race at Sam Houston Mar 27. When I questioned both, they simply sent another spreadsheet; this one had an additional kill from Apr, but still without Smartcents, and still sans stall deaths. In short, my confidence in the Texas Commission is wanting.
Linsanity, Jan 11, Sam Houston R
“Pulled up during race, fetlock injury, euthanized off track.” Linsanity was two.
Compendium, Jan 24, Sam Houston R
“Poor performance, collapsed after finish line, died on track. Abdomen filled with blood; most likely diagnosis: rupture of the caudal aorta.” Compendium was three.
Penny Saved, Jan 30, Sam Houston T
“Training injury – fatal.” Penny was three and being prepped for her first race.
Fund the Ridge, Feb 3, Sam Houston T
“Bilateral mid-shaft tibial fractures, unable to stand, euthanized on track.” “Unable to stand” on two snapped legs. This poor boy was two and being prepped for his first race.
Cafe Au Lait, Feb 7, Sam Houston R
“Weakened after finish line, slowed, collapsed, dead at time of [vet arrival].” Cafe was three – collapsed and died.
Kitty’s Queen (this is a misspell), Apr 13, Lone Star T
“Exercised on track, rider dismounted, lay down on walking path and died.” They added: “probably internal hemorrhage, no necropsy performed.” Kitty’s was either two or three.
Sweeet Dreams, Apr 15, Lone Star T
“Went down one stride out, lateral recumbency, unable to stand, paralysis both hind legs – euthanized.” Sweet was three.
Win Play Jess, Apr 25, Sam Houston R
“Stumbled, equine ambulance, euthanized.” Jess had just turned two.
Trumps Train, May 9, Sam Houston R (video here)
“Complete comminuted fracture of LF MC3; multiple RF carpal fractures. On-track euthanasia.” Trumps was two and this was his second race – shattered both front legs.
Fire Chilitos, May 21, Sam Houston R
“Collapsed three strides out of gate, unable to rise, no response to manipulation of back legs – on-track euthanasia.” Fire was three.
Cody the Kid, May 30, Lone Star R
“Sesamoid fracture, ligament disruption – fatal.” Cody was three.
Yazmine, Jun 5, Lone Star R
“Comminuted MC3 fracture, MC4 fracture – fatal.” Yazmine was three.
Unlimited Candy, Jul 4, Gillespie R
“Blew turn, hit rail, euthanized on track.” Candy was three.
Ms Cash N Kiss, Jul 4, Gillespie R (six races after above)
“Pulled up…euthanized off track.” Ms Cash was two.
Cyber Sunday Mbc, Jul 5, Gillespie R (one day after the two above)
“Injured, euthanized on track.” Cyber was two.
Eye Am Tuff, Jul 19, Gillespie R
“Pulled up stretch…euthanized on track.” Eye Am Tuff was 10. 10.
Thank you, Fred and Joan. I appreciate what you are saying. I was shocked to see the news online about the reopening of the US-MEXICO border to happen so soon without first seeing any news reports about what, if any, progress was being made to eradicate the New World screwworm infestation inside the borders of Texas and New Mexico.
O’Dwyer himself had said back in June that not being able to ship the horses “nobody wants” to slaughter brings down the value of the “good usin’ horses” and he seemed a little bent out of shape about that whole situation. It is disturbing how someone can be so compartmentalized, if you will, towards the deliberate killing of horses by shipping them to slaughter.
We almost don’t like placing a like on your post about the O`Dwyer auction because of our anti-slaughter position of 50+ years. We know you’re just posting info.Wanda. Sad that the slaughter of horses will begin again out of our country. We wish the SAFE act for horses would be passed by Congress!
A two-year-old goes down hard face first into the dirt due to both front legs being broken and the announcer says, “TRUMPS TRAIN lost his rider”!
So now you know what euphemisms such as “lost his rider” can mean in this despicable industry. Instead of saying “we broke the front legs of a young, underdeveloped, immature two-year-old in our greedy horse-abusing indifference to the horse” and taking the responsibility for the fatal injuries inflicted on the horse, it is just so convenient to shift the blame onto the horse by saying the horse “lost his rider”. So convenient and so morally depraved!
Stupid Texas sounds like a NIGHTMARE.
It stands to reason that an industry that kills horses routinely would lie to you about how many horses they kill and tell you that horse racing is safe.
Don’t they have a clue that when things don’t add up, it raises serious questions about their credibility???
The US-MEXICO border will reopen for import and export of horses and cattle on August 24, 2026. I expect O’Dwyer Horses at the Bowie Texas Livestock auction barn will start putting the slaughter dates back up on his website again and the horses he feels nobody wants will be direct ship horses and most of those horses categorized as Unwanted won’t even be listed on his website.