Through a FOIA request to the New Jersey Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks in the first half of the year.
Drink To That, Apr 4, Gaitway T
“Sudden death during training – suspect acute cardiovascular failure.” Drink To That, below, was but three – “sudden death.”
Yara’s Quest, May 3, Monmouth T
“Catastrophic fracture of tibia with marked hemorrhage, and lacerated and torn muscles, tendons, and ligaments.” They added: “The tibia was split in multiple directions across different planes.” Also: “advanced – moderate to severe – plantar osteochondral defects [all four limbs].” And finally: “Acute periosteal callus formation is one of the primary indicators that a horse has been subjected to repetitive mechanical overload, making it a hallmark of a pre-existing stress (fatigue) fracture.” Yara’s was but four.
Bingo’s Birkin, May 14, Monmouth S
“Recurrent fevers, unresponsive to treatment.” Final: “pneumonia.” Bingo’s was five.
Lovenbury, May 21, Winners International T
“Catastrophic fracture of P1, severe intraarticular hemorrhage.” Lovenbury was five.
Sea Watch, Jun 4, Monmouth T
“Catastrophic fracture of humerus with extensive soft tissue injury, hemorrhage, and lacerated and torn muscles.” Sea Watch was two and being prepped for his first race.
Editor’s Choice, Jun 11, Monmouth S
“Severe gastric ulcer disease and duodenal perforation, the latter resulting in fatal septic peritonitis.” They added: “Gastric ulceration is reported in up to 90% of racehorses and is strongly associated with the physiologic and management stresses of intense athletic training, high concentrate diets, NSAID administration, stall confinement, and intermittent feeding.” And: “Moderate osteochondral disease is also present, representing a common and likely incidental finding in racehorses reflecting the cumulative effects of repetitive athletic loading on articular cartilage and subchondral bone.” Editor’s was six.
Giovona By The Sea, Jun 22, Gaitway T
“Complete, open fracture of tibia.” Giovona was five.
Aidan O’Brien is one of these trainers who reign as the “gift” to the horseracing world in the UK. It is a family affair as well.
Just read the news about Aidan O’Brien, an Irish trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses in Europe, having a stable of horses suffering from a “low-grade” illness for two months and running his horses anyway.
Entering sick horses in races and forcing them to run while sick is despicable regardless of who you are or who you think you are. This is an industry that is allowed to “police” itself just like the AI tech industry wants to be allowed to continue to police itself while the threat to life on Earth is real.
The NFL season begins today. Millions upon millions of eyes will be watching millionaires give each other concussions and cheer for their preferred laundry or Draft Kings bets. This madness is regularly interrupted by corporations trying to sell a truck or insurance, using my inflated premiums to buy air time. Meanwhile, away from the cameras, many young horses are suffering, or dying. If HW was able to buy air time like the corporations we might make serious inroads. Sadly, cash is king, and public attention is for sale to the highest bidder. We do what we can…
My personal osteochondral disease was diagnosed during knee surgery at age 27, and it no doubt was there long before that. It was the result of the repetitive stresses of various sports done since age 10 or so. Humans and horses alike pay a steep price for repetitive stress injuries incurred prematurely on immature frames. Humans can choose not to abuse their bodies. Racehorses cannot.
‘Gastric ulceration’ being reported in up to 90% of racehorses AND ‘osteochondral disease’ being common in racehorses should be very clear indicators to any person that horses exploited as gambling chips DO NOT have a good life!
So many people who defend their abominable mistreatment of horses as racehorses say that the horses get “amazing care” and that the horses live “a good life”; both of these statements have been proven as FALSE by the medical evaluations within the industry.
So what I would like to know is “What is the Intelligence Quotient of the people who defend horse racing by saying the horses have a good life”?