Elegy for a One-Year-Old
Back in June, I excerpted from a new book of poetry by Kaaviya Elangkumarabahu. The book is wonderful, and, as I wrote then, all the more impressive for Kaaviya’s age: 12! Today, I present a new poem by Kaaviya on…
Patrick’s Blog
Read MoreElegy for a One-Year-Old
2-Year-Old’s Very First Race: “Crashed Through Inside Rail – Fatal Injuries”
Through a FOIA request to the Indiana Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following 13 kills at that state’s two tracks thus far this year. Winthorn, Feb 13, Horseshoe T “Shoulder fracture.” Winthorn was two. Computingfromabove, Feb 13, Horseshoe T…
Royal Majesty Confirmed Killed at Ellis; Chrome Pipes Dead at Finger Lakes
According to the chart for the 6th at Ellis Sunday, Royal Majesty “went wrong and was transported off in an equine ambulance.” In the vast majority of cases, this combination – “went wrong/ambulance” – translates to dead, and indeed the…
The Ambulance Report
The following horses were injured in U.S. races last week and had to be removed from the track by “equine ambulance.” While fates remain unknown at this time, please know we will eventually get kill confirmations on many if not…
Justice in Horseracing: $300 for Welting; $500 for Swearing
Some recent whipping “violations” from the harness circuit… Pocono, Jul 26: “Massive Matter was sent for post-race testing and it was noted by the State Vet that several welts appeared on [his] right rear. Driver Mike Polansky is fined $300.”…
10 Days at Ellis: 66 Injured or Sick Horses
Over the course of just 10 days (Jul 11-Aug 1) at Ellis, 14 horses were scratched by the regulatory vet – i.e., their exploiters had every intention of racing them – for being “injured” or “unsound,” another 36 by private…
Texas Kills: “collapsed after finish line, died on track”; “bilateral mid-shaft tibial fractures, euthanized on track”; “blew turn, hit rail, euthanized on track” – and Plenty More
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…
3-Year-Old: Fell Backward in Gate, Comminuted Skull Fracture, Blood Everywhere
Through a FOIA request to the Arizona Dept. of Gaming, I have confirmed the following kills at Turf Paradise thus far this year. (Turf is the only currently running track in Arizona. Because of the amount of detail, I am…
Five More Dead Horses for the List
Although we are totally shut out in Florida, I have been able to confirm the following: 3-year-old Love That Gal killed in the 3rd at Tampa Feb 8. 2-year-old Noah’s Honor killed in the 4th at Gulfstream Apr 5. 5-year-old…
Surprise: Absolute Domination (Dangling Leg) Confirmed Killed
Three days ago, I posted the below video of Absolute Domination’s horrific fall at Horseshoe Saturday. Here is the fully expected update from the stewards: “Absolute Domination suffered a catastrophic injury to its RF leg [that would be the dangling…
More Turf Kills, Including One-Year-Old With Fractured Skull, and Three-Year-Old With “Both Forelimbs Only Connected Via Skin”
Through a FOIA request to the Arizona Dept. of Gaming, I have confirmed the following kills at Turf Paradise thus far this year. (Turf is the only currently running track in Arizona. Because of the amount of detail, I am…
Nicole on the Mess That is U.S. Racing – and Why We Must Never Let Up
This morning, a guest post from our indomitable executive director, Nicole… “‘Horseracing News’ this week is as much about us as it is about them” by Nicole Arciello The Horseracing Industry found a way to elevate itself to the top…