Through a FOIA request to the Texas Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks thus far this year:

Data Force, Jan 20, Sam Houston T – “sudden death – died on track” (two years old)

Volley Molly, Feb 6, Sam Houston T – “leg fracture – euthanized on track”

Blind Sea, Feb 15, Sam Houston R – “leg fracture, extensive hemorrhage in soft tissue around fetlock joint with fraying of tendons and ligaments”
also: “chronic: extensive loss of cartilage”

Harlan Selection, Feb 19, Sam Houston R – “hypovolemic shock – died on track”
The official race chart, by the way, said, “fell after the wire in distress and was vanned off.” “Vanned off” – already dead, that is.

Mary Jane’s Double, Jun 3, Lone Star R – “leg fracture, extensive hemorrhage to the subcutaneous tissue and fascia surrounding the fetlock joint”

Always Secret, Jun 8, Lone Star R – “heat stress in test barn after race”

Giant Pulpit, Jun 9, Lone Star T – “heart attack” (six years old)
Giant Pulpit was raced four times this year, all at Oaklawn in Arkansas. He finished last (of 10) twice, 8th once, and was a “DNF” in the other. Then dead – of a “heart attack” – a few weeks later. Perhaps trainer Allen Milligan might have some insights?

For D’s Knight, Jun 17, Lone Star R – “[multiple] fractures: comminuted, open, displaced, complete; tendons and ligaments are torn, frayed, and covered in dirt”
The official race chart said, “went wrong, fell, vanned off.” Once again, however, the horse was euthanized where he lay.

Prince Jet, Jun 27, Lone Star S – “colic”

Wild Indy, Jun 29, Lone Star R – “open, complete, highly comminuted fractures; the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, the strait and oblique sesmoidian ligaments, the suspensory ligament and extensor branches, and palmer ligament are hemorrhagic and variably frayed/torn”

Through a FOIA request to the Texas Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks in 2019. (This is Part 2; Part 1 here.) (Please note: With but two training deaths listed since May, the carnage in the Lone Star State is surely being underreported by the “connections”/tracks/Commission.)

Witt’s Cut, May 10, Lone Star R – “open fracture MCIII”

Sister Ashlee, May 17, Lone Star S – “colic” (last raced 13 days prior)

Hez Dashin Bigtime, May 17, Sam Houston R – “horse flipped in holding barn”

Yankee Gambler, May 19, Lone Star S – “laminitis” (raced 37 times)

Typhoon Tycoon, May 19, Lone Star T – “sesamoid fracture”

Magnum Maduro, Jun 1, Lone Star R – “sesamoid fracture”

Moro Chief, Jun 8, Lone Star R – “fetlock disarticulation”

yet-to-be-named, Jun 13, Lone Star S – “laminitis” (two years old)

F J Uncle Vic, Jun 30, Lone Star R (euthanized Jul 4) – “chondritis” (63rd race)

Pal Play, Jul 11, Lone Star R – “cannon fracture” (first race)

Smoklahoma, Jul 15, Lone Star T – “condylar fracture”

Carolina Jasmine, Jul 20, Lone Star R – “fetlock, both sesamoids”

Miss Perry Twister, Jul 23, Retama S – “colic” (last raced Jul 5)

Squeeze My Corona, Jul 27, Retama R – “spinal cord fracture”

Klone, Aug 10, Gillespie R – “cannon bone fracture”

Chattering Class, Aug 10, Retama S – “foundered” (70 races – most recently Jul 18)

Facunda, Sep 6, Retama R – “spinal cord fracture”

Little Bean, Sep 10, Retama R – “fetlock fracture”

Promissory Note, Oct 4, Lone Star S – “cellulitis”

Tenue de Soiree, Oct 22, Lone Star S – “neck/back”

Fm Dynasty Rock, Nov 9, Lone Star R – “facial/nasal fractures – massive blood loss”

Through a FOIA request to the Texas Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks through April 21:

Team Colors, Jan 27, Sam Houston R – “bilateral proximal sesamoid fracture”
Come and Take It, Jan 29, Retama – “leg caught in stall door, fractured fetlock”
Twice Please, Feb 16, Sam Houston T – “severe back injury working from gates”
Charlie Webb, Mar 2, Sam Houston T – “high transverse cannon bone fracture”
Doctor C., Mar 10, Sam Houston – “vet scratch, colic Mar 9, died Mar 10”
Colt Silver Bullet, Mar 13, Sam Houston T – “sesamoid fracture, cannon fracture”
Ghost Speaker, Mar 19, Retama T – “sudden death on track” (two years old)
Tommy Grossman, Mar 26, Sam Houston R – “sudden death on track” (four years old)
Supernumerary, Mar 30, Sam Houston – “severe laminitis”
yet-to-be-named filly, Apr 7, Lone Star – “pneumonia/colitis/renal failure”
It’s All Up to You, Apr 20, Lone Star R – “fetlock disarticulation”
Montt, Apr 20, Lone Star R – “P1 fracture”
Thisonesmylife, Apr 21, Lone Star R – “cannon fracture”

The full report on Supernumerary: “Horse shipped from Fair Grounds Race track after original injury. Horse [treated] for septic arthritis RH fetlock – non-responsive to [treatment] – progressed to severe laminitis leading to euthanasia.” The 3-year-old Supernumerary was last raced at Fair Grounds in December, so it’s safe to assume that he was suffering for weeks, if not months, with the “original injury,” then “septic arthritis,” and finally, “severe laminitis.” Imagine that.

This is horseracing.

Through a FOIA request to the Texas Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills on that state’s tracks in 2018. Unless otherwise noted, immediate cause of death was a break of one kind or another; underlying cause, of course, Racing itself.

Dancingwiththeangels, January 10, Retama T

Contrapunto, January 13, Retama T

Uncle Mike, February 13, Sam Houston T

Won Gold, March 7, Sam Houston T
“collided with another horse”

General Stryker, March 13, Sam Houston R

Tiz a Par, March 16, Sam Houston R (euthanized May 22)
“race-related lameness”

Precious Move, April 6, Lone Star T

Baby Spencer, April 12, Lone Star T

Queen Otaheite, April 14, Lone Star T
“acute death” (six years old)

Elite Five, April 28, Sam Houston R
euthanized on track but chart merely said “fell, vanned off”

Runningunninrascal, April 29, Lone Star R

Indulgent Tythings, May 3, Lone Star T

Beaus Famous, May 12, Sam Houston R
“collapsed…died on track” (four years old)

Defiant Red, May 13, Lone Star T
fracture plus ruptured ligament

Revolutionize, May 13, Lone Star R

Colonial Kendra, May 20, Lone Star R

The Ranch, May 20, Lone Star R

Bird Orr Brady, May 27, Lone Star R
euthanized on track but chart merely said “fell, vanned off”

Seward’s Gift, June 1, Lone Star R
euthanized on track but chart said absolutely nothing

Frankentap (probably sic), June 11, Lone Star T

Kristina Nag Ulera, June 17, Lone Star T

Vivvid, July 6, Retama R
euthanized on track but chart merely said “vanned off”

Naughtycitydancer, July 15, Lone Star T
“fell and died acutely – no post-mortem performed” (two years old)

Eyesonthepreacher, July 19, Lone Star R
“acute death” (four years old)

Early Bid, July 19, Lone Star R (died 24 hours later)
“horse died acutely in stall” (four years old)

Run for President, July 21, Gillespie R
“sudden death on track” (three years old)

C Red Illusion, August 3, Retama R (found dead next morning)
“signs of acute pulmonary hemorrhage”

C R B Eyes, August 4, Retama R
“horse tripped and fell after colliding with another horse”

Las Vegas Storm, August 7, Retama R

Beta Phone, August 8, Retama T

Rojo Pita, August 8, Retama R

Prince Isaac, September 4, Retama R
euthanized on track but chart merely said “vanned off”

Love Ya Honey, September 4, Retama R (euthanized September 5)

Pianito Alluring Way, October 5, Lone Star R
euthanized on track but chart merely said “fell, vanned off”

yet-to-be-named, December 27, Sam Houston T

In addition, these still-very-much-active racehorses died on track grounds from what the industry craftily calls “non-racing” causes. Technically true, perhaps, but morally they are no less casualties of this vile business than the ones above.

Devilish P Js, March 21, Sam Houston
“severe colic”

Start a War, April 24, Lone Star
“joint infection, post injection”

Sharp Skirt, May 20, Lone Star
“horse found dead in stall” (two years old)

Dominator Sr, July 30, Retama
“horse found dead in stall; [possible] colic” (last raced July 14)

Hamburg Gig, July 30, Retama
“horse found dead outside stall; [possible] colic” (last raced July 6)

RB CREED, July 30, Retama
“horse escaped from stall and ran into car”

Through a FOIA request to the Texas Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills on that state’s tracks in 2017. Unless otherwise noted, immediate cause of death was limb fracture of one kind or another – underlying cause, of course, horseracing itself. (The “chart” refers to the official public record per Equibase; not a single horse below was publicly reported as dead. This corrects that.)

King Lou, January 19, Sam Houston, training

Kipalizer, January 23, Sam Houston, training

Factuality, January 27, Sam Houston, race 9
(chart merely said “vanned off” – actually, euthanized on track)

Famous Attitude, February 17, Retama, training
“horse collapsed and died on track post-wire; horse reportedly had frothy hemorrhagic bilateral nasal discharge – no necropsy performed” (three years old)

Visual Delight, February 20, Sam Houston, race 4
fracture and dislocation (chart merely said “vanned off” – actually, euthanized on track)

Alajrose, March 4, Sam Houston, race 4
(chart merely said “vanned off” – actually, euthanized on track)

Special Street, April 20, Lone Star, race 5
“ligament rupture and joint luxation – severe circulation compromise” (chart merely said “went wrong, vanned off” – actually, euthanized on track)

Blonde Flyer, April 29, Lone Star, race 9

Lucky Ann, May 14, Lone Star, race 2

I Am Another, May 14, Lone Star, race 6
(coming off an 11th of 12, 28 lengths back one month before)

Trekas, May 15, Sam Houston, race 6
“trauma to femur leaving gate” (chart merely said “bad steps, vanned off” – actually, euthanized on track)

A Salty Corona, May 20, Sam Houston, race 9

Iva Scaped, June 21, Lone Star, training

Tizzywizzy, June 23, Lone Star, training (euthanized June 24)

Parks Wave Dancer, July 1, Retama, race 8
“horse collapsed – spinal cord fracture” (chart merely said “fell, vanned off” – actually, euthanized on track)

Perry Dash Back, July 6, Retama, training
“horse collapsed on track post-workout – unknown cause” (two years old)

Siete Cuarenta Siete, July 7, Retama, race 2
(chart merely said “fell, vanned off” – actually, euthanized on track)

Sendero Six, July 15, Gillespie, race 5
“horse began to buck before finish line…hit and flipped over inside rail…stood and attempted to jump back over but fell backwards landing hard…attempted to jump rail again but collapsed and became recumbent and went into shock” (chart merely said “went over rail after wire” – actually, euthanized on track)

Royal Line of Fire, July 29, Retama, race 5

Six K Laura, August 12, Retama, race 8
(chart merely said “fell, vanned off” – actually, euthanized on track)

My Millionaire, September 2, Retama, race 7
“ligament failure and joint disarticulation” (chart merely said “fell, vanned off” – actually, euthanized on track)

Rooster Ray, September 16, Retama, race 7
(chart merely said “vanned off” – actually, euthanized on track) (second race in week)

Hidden Talent, September 30, Lone Star, race 3
(chart merely said “fell after wire” – actually, euthanized on track) (first race)

Cabo Wabo Baby, October 14, Retama, race 7
(chart merely said “vanned off” – actually, euthanized on track)

In addition, these still-very-much-active racehorses died on track grounds from what the industry craftily calls “non-racing” causes. While this may be technically true, morally they are no less casualties of this vile business than the ones above.

Built Bok Tuff, April 17, Sam Houston
“horse was found dead in stall…with apparent signs of severe colic; Dr. Robinson reportedly treated the horse for colic [the day before] – no necropsy was performed”

Nothingbutdaylight, June 7, Lone Star
“horse was euthanized on backside – reported complications due to chronic EPM” (four years old, last raced April 30)

Sally Ali, June 9, Retama
“horse was found dead in barn on backside in early morning hours; showed signs of colic, endotoxemia; exact cause of death unknown – no necropsy performed” (two years old, had been raced once)

Jumpn On Glass, June 19, Retama
“horse found dead in stall – signs of colic and endotoxic shock” (was raced just three days before in Louisiana)

Big Gene, October 13, Retama
“severe septicemia rear legs with necrosis-laminitis all four” (two years old, raced once, in September)

Arkansas Frank, November 10, Retama
“colic – died” (two years old, scratched from what would have been his third race just six days prior)