Patrick’s Blog

The “Inhumane Treatment” by Yasmine Medina and the Baby (Two Years Old) Who Died Because of It

A recent ruling (January) posted by the Texas Racing Commission. It fell under the heading, “Inhumane Treatment.” “On April 3, 2025, Yasmine Medina sent the horse ‘Oppenheimer’ with a groom to Retama Park for an official workout. The horse got…

Read MoreThe “Inhumane Treatment” by Yasmine Medina and the Baby (Two Years Old) Who Died Because of It

One 2-Year-Old’s Death at Emerald: “Complete, comminuted, displaced tibia fracture – six fragments of bone within fracture area.”

Through a FOIA request to the Washington Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at Emerald Downs last year. Sausage, Mar 14, Emerald T “There is extensive muscle tearing and hemorrhage surrounding the left humerus and a complete, comminuted…

Read MoreOne 2-Year-Old’s Death at Emerald: “Complete, comminuted, displaced tibia fracture – six fragments of bone within fracture area.”

Indiana: “spinal fracture leaving gate, splayed front legs”; “fell past wire, broken neck…no euthanasia necessary”; “fell: open [through the skin] disarticulation”; “horse died after race” – and plenty more…

Through a FOIA request to the Indiana Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks last year (this is part 2; part 1 here – 28 kills in total). Julerica, Jul 16, Hoosier R – “injured…

Read MoreIndiana: “spinal fracture leaving gate, splayed front legs”; “fell past wire, broken neck…no euthanasia necessary”; “fell: open [through the skin] disarticulation”; “horse died after race” – and plenty more…

Some On-Track Kills in Nebraska: “Collided [With Another Horse]”; “Pulmonary Hemorrhage”; “Acute Aneurism”

In a FOIA request to the Nebraska Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks last year. Fricketts, Feb 24, Fonner T“Stumbled, fractured ankle.” Fricketts was two years old and being prepped for his debut. Thatta Peppa,…

Read MoreSome On-Track Kills in Nebraska: “Collided [With Another Horse]”; “Pulmonary Hemorrhage”; “Acute Aneurism”

Injured, Sick Horses at Turfway, Santa Anita; Great Boston Globe Editorial on Subsidies

Over the course of just 7 days at Turfway (Feb 5-14), 13 horses were scratched by the regulatory vet – i.e., their exploiters had every intention of racing them – for being “injured” or “unsound,” another 17 by private vets…

Read MoreInjured, Sick Horses at Turfway, Santa Anita; Great Boston Globe Editorial on Subsidies