Through a FOIA request to the Kentucky Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks in the first half of 2026. Because of the volume, I will be posting in installments (previous ones here).
(It goes without saying that almost all the victims died with stomach ulcers.)
My Little Love, Jan 3, Turfway T
“Filly was breezing when she sustained an open [through the skin], comminuted MCIII fracture at the 1/4 pole. Horse fell, remained in lateral recumbency with minimal restraint, and was euthanized.” They added: “Additional doses of euthanasia were required to achieve desired result.” Horrific. More detail: “There is marked tearing of the suspensory ligament, with multiple embedded fragments of bone.” The filly in question was two and being prepped for her first race.
My Favorite Girl, Jan 21, Churchill T
“Horse collapsed near the end of the gallop and appeared to expire immediately. The cause of death in this case is near transection of the cranial cervical spinal cord due to fractures of the first and second cervical vertebrae.” My Favorite Girl was four.
yet-to-be-named 2 (or even 1)-year-old, Feb 9, HighPointe S
“Horse reportedly had some type of cervical trauma approximately two weeks prior. Vet recommended referral, but referral was delayed due to winter storm. Horse’s condition deteriorated, with muscle atrophy and worsening neurologic symptoms. Was scheduled for referral today, but horse was down in stall, unable to rise, and euthanized.” Final diagnosis: “Complete, mildly displaced fracture of the sixth cervical vertebra through the cranial growth plate with dissolution of the intervertebral disc material. Dura is thickened and elevated, compressing the spinal cord.” Also: “scattered encysted nematode [roundworm] larvae in colon.” Again, this poor girl was two at most (born in 2024).
yet-to-be-named 2 (or even 1)-year-old, Mar 5, Keeneland S
“Filly found dead in stall with a significant amount of bloody, foamy discharge from her nostrils. Had been intermittently febrile – fevers as high as 104 – since Feb 28.” Again, this poor girl was two at most (born in 2024) – “found dead with bloody, foamy discharge.”
Nash, Jun 17, Keeneland S
“Progressive lameness over past seven days without improvement. Became recumbent around 2 am, unable to rise, euthanized.” That “progressive lameness” was the result of: “complete, displaced, comminuted fracture of the right femur with marked tearing of the surrounding muscles,” and “complete, displaced, comminuted fracture of the shaft of the ilium.” Although on the latter they added: “Examination of the pelvic fracture was compromised by acute trauma.” Oh how this poor boy, just five, suffered on his way out.
I am wondering how valuable these horses are; that so many can be so unspeakably abused and discarded is highly suspicious to me.
The heartless cruelty that these horses are subjected to is bad enough! But then the egregious miscarriage of justice that nobody has to go to jail or be tried for the crimes they are guilty of regarding the abuse and the neglect of each individual horse makes this industry an abomination!!!!!
Good old CD! I would not have galloped horses on their track if CDI paid me! Too tight corners Appears to be a truly crummy dirt surface. A corporation that`s strictly interested in gamboling $$ revenues. No real care for the horses or those people caring for them.Horrific terrible ways these poor horses suffered before thy died. Have you heard? The US Govt. is passing feral BLM horses of the western range for practically nothing to 2nd party buyers to where the 3rd party buyers are receiving $750 a head to be slaughtered in Mexico! All this cruelty needs to stop!