Heartrending Video of Ladie
As an addendum to my post from this morning, here is a video of Ladie Verrazano, with but days to live, at a Texas (slaughter-pipeline) feedlot. If her story – this video – does not make your heart cry and…
Racing’s Refuse
Read MoreHeartrending Video of Ladie
Damn This Industry: The Unspeakably Cruel End of Ladie Verrazano
Ladie Verrazano was made on February 20, 2016. She was first put to the whip a day after her third birthday. That race, at Delta Downs, was of the “claiming” variety (all horses were “For Sale” prior to the start),…
They Can’t Hurt Him Anymore
Back in March, I wrote about Sequana, one of the worst track-cruelty cases yet. Shortly thereafter, owing to our pressure, Sequana was released from his servitude at the nefarious Camarero Race Track. And a few days ago, I received the…
Blood on Their Hands
We activists talk often about horses falling through the ranks – their value dropping with their “production” as they make their way from elite tracks to seedy racinos. More often than not, this ends badly – for most, slaughter, for…
Perhaps the Worst Case of On-Track Abuse I’ve Seen
Sequana was bred in NY by Michael LeCesse in February 2012. LeCesse, as owner/trainer, first raced Sequana as a 2-year-old. 36 more races followed before LeCesse put Sequana up for sale at the end of 2018 through “Finger Lakes Finest…
Lame, Found in Kill Pen Three Weeks After Being “Vanned Off”
On February 22, 2019, in her 28th turn under the whip, Nova Nation was “vanned off” at Penn National with an unspecified injury. At the time, she was five years old. Less than three weeks later, she was spotted, lame,…
The Evil That Men Do: The Tragic Life and Unforgivable Death of Holding Aces
First, the facts: Holding Aces was born (made) on April 4, 2012. His first race came in September 2015. He “won,” earning $22,920 for his first set of “connections,” trainer Wayne Catalano and owners Gary and Mary West. Four more…
It’s Not Just About Slaughter: The Torture and Murder of G.W.’s Skippie
Born in February 2000, G. W.’s Skippie was raced 17 times, earning over $123,000 for owner Glen Warren and trainer Andrew Leggio Jr. On September 26, 2004, he was injured in a race at Louisiana Downs. “Career” – at least…
After Celebrating Twins Debuting Together, Industry Turns Blind Eye When One Ends up Lame and in Kill Pen
On February 13, the Paulick Report posted a piece on twin Thoroughbreds, Custom Pete and Halo Carlos, getting ready for their “debuts” at Delta Downs the following day. The pair, a rarity in the (ugly) breeding trade, were born March…
Racing Done With Her, Former “Star” Lands in Kill Pen
(This post was made possible by the invaluable work of our vice president and chief cruelty investigator, Joy Aten.) Bred by Homer Noble & Gayno Stable, Puxa Saco (below) began her “career” back in 2002, at the tender age of…
Willow Put to Rest; At Least She Was Given a Few Months of Real Love
Shedrow Secrets Willow, the Final Chapter (chapter 1 here; chapter 2 here) by Joy Aten Willow, a recently-raced mare when found starving in October of last year, was humanely euthanized on June 24 with Laura, her rescuer and forever home,…
Raced and Killed Just One Week After Being For Sale as a Lame “Broodmare Prospect”
Our vice president, Joy Aten, contributes the following on Rose’s Asset: On July 30, 2019, Rose’s Asset was raced in a 5K claimer at Thistledown for owner W.A.R. Racing and trainer Jeffrey Radosevich. The 6-year-old gray mare finished last of…