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.)
Stowe, Jan 2, Turfway R
“Pulled up around 3/8 pole: multiple open, comminuted fractures; extensive soft tissue damage.” Also: “The cecum contains large numbers of tapeworms.” Stowe was two.
Wood You Dare, Jan 13, Turfway T
“Rider said horse took a misstep: complete, open, comminuted cannon fracture [with] bone embedded in the extensor tendons and the suspensory ligament.” They added: “The presence of a pre-existing periosteal callus associated with the acute fracture line in this case is consistent with a repetitive stress injury leading to a catastrophic musculoskeletal failure.” Wood was two – “repetitive stress injury.”
Speedini, Apr 17, Churchill T
“Pulled up with catastrophic injury to RF: multiple [at least four] fetlock fractures, severe soft tissue damage.” They added: “Palmar osteochondral disease is a known risk factor for fracture of the condyles, as evidenced in this case. There is significant degenerative joint disease in the right and left carpi, the LF fetlock, the LH fetlock, and the RH fetlock.” How old with all that degenerative joint disease? Three. Three.
Vino Subito, Apr 28, Churchill R (euth Apr 30)
“Pulled up with severe injury, referred for surgical consult, euthanized [two days later].” The specifics: “[multiple] slab fractures, [multiple] torn ligaments.” Vino was three.
yet-to-be-named 2-year-old, May 5, Churchill T
“Horse was doing a two-minute gallop and suffered complete, open, comminuted cannon fractures to both hind limbs.” Again, this poor boy, just two, shattered both hind limbs. In the right leg, by the way, this: “A large portion of bone is missing.” Vile.
