Facts, as the great John Adams once declared, are stubborn things.
And facts are what we present here. We firmly believe that if those coming to this site do so with an open mind, a fresh lens, they will see horseracing not for how it has been sold – as sport, “The Sport of Kings” – but rather as the cruel and deadly (gambling) industry that it is.
Everyday Obituaries
Two More Weekend Kills in California, Both at Santa Anita
The CHRB has confirmed two more kills (that makes three) from over the weekend: Angelic Appeal, in the 7th race at Santa Anita Saturday; Cornhuskerchris, during morning training at that same track yesterday. The former is no surprise, given the “sustained injury, transported off via ambulance” chart note – a combination that almost always translates…
2-Year-Old Imm Relentless Confirmed Killed at Los Alamitos
Imm Relentless, a “fell, ambulanced” at Los Alamitos Saturday, is dead. We know this because, and only because, the jockey was injured in what the Daily Racing Form called a “spill.” (The racing rags – DRF, Paulick, etc. – only report on the deaths of high-earning horses or, like here, deaths that also include dinged-up…
Wonderful Justice Killed at Mahoning Today
The just-concluded 4th race at Mahoning: “Wonderful Justice off slow…suffered an injury after passing the 7/16 pole, pulled up, and was subsequently euthanized on the track.” Wonderful was five years old, and this was his 22nd time under the whip. His exploiters – Michael Friedman, Nestor Rivera – also had him “For Sale” moments before…
2-Year-Old Stowe Confirmed Killed at Turfway
This from the Kentucky Racing Commission, Turfway, Jan 2: “Stowe was pulled up abruptly near the 3/8 pole and required the assistance of the horse ambulance. It was [later] reported that the horse had suffered a catastrophic injury to his left hind leg and he was humanely euthanized.” Stowe was two; ’twas his third time…
Everyday Cruelty
"Head Got Lodged Between the Bars" – and a Slew of Sick or Injured Horses at Turfway
Over the course of just 13 days at Turfway (Dec 19-Jan 14), 23 horses were scratched by the regulatory vet – i.e., their exploiters had every intention of racing them – for being “injured” or “unsound,” another 45 by private vets for being “injured” or “ill,” and 4 horses who were “claimed” (bought) prior to…
Jockey's Defense for Whipping During Training at Santa Anita: "The horse was very lazy, and he needed to urge."
Over the course of just three days at Santa Anita last weekend, the following horses were “scratched” from their races by various veterinarians: Donde Esta Jefe – “sick” Track Tiger – “sick” Vino Amante – “injured” Savannahas Big Girl – “sick” Comininalittlehot – “sick” Ottis Betts – “sick” Whiz Kidd – “sick” Veritas Aequitas -…
Video of Depoli Going Down at Parx
A short clip of 5-year-old Depoli crumpling at Parx last Wednesday. Please note that the ethically-challenged announcer, Jessica Paquette, said nary a word about the fall when it occurred, being, as she was, far too invested in the titillating finish. In fact, it took her about a minute to even acknowledge something had happened, and…
The Daily Toll Outside the Killing
Over the course of just 9 days at Turfway (Dec 3-18), 20 horses were scratched by the regulatory vet – i.e., their exploiters had every intention of racing them – for being “injured” or “unsound,” another 28 by private vets for being “injured” or “ill,” and 2 horses who were “claimed” (bought) prior to races…
Recommended
Pro-Racing Journalist: "One fact you can't escape is that horses will die in racing, despite all efforts."
I have always held a special disdain for racing fans who, doubling as journalists, are gifted tremendous forums for spewing their deceptions, and thus are extremely influential in the court of public opinion. Exhibit A has always been Joe Drape of The New York Times. A close second for a long time was the LA…
CHRB Says They've "Done All the Work on the Animal Welfare Piece"; 83 Dead Horses This Year Says Otherwise
A Christmas Eve article by John Cherwa in the LA Times is at its core an exercise in hand-wringing, as made clear by its title, “California horse racing is at a crossroads. Can it survive?” With Golden Gate Fields having begun its final-ever meet, which will leave the whole of Northern California without a single…
Vet: "I feel that Rockinhippiechick suffered tremendously in her final moments." And The Stronach Group Is to Blame.
As I’ve written regarding California’s missing “vanned off” horses: Much is being made of California’s lower kill numbers. One of the things the industry, led by The Stronach Group (TSG), is supposedly doing is more surgical repairs. But history says that the equine post-surgery survival rate is very low (think Barbaro). Problem is, the injured…
The Disgusting Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
In a press release earlier this month, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) gushed over a risible $50,000 donation from The Stronach Group on Pegasus Day at Stronach-owned Gulfstream Park. Risible not only because the day featured two million-dollar-plus races, but, more important, because Stronach is a multi-billion-dollar corporation. $50,000 for aftercare. But back to the…
Racing’s Corporate Welfare
Despite Being "Placed to a Protective Hold" and "Expertly Pulled Up," Horse Is Dead
According to the chartwriter at Aqueduct Thursday, The Golden Gorilla (quite a name, huh?) “suffered an injury to the left front leg near the half-mile pole and was placed to a protective hold…before being expertly pulled up…and transported off the course via ambulance.” One man’s hero – “protective hold,” “expertly pulled up” – is another’s…
Progress: B.C. Shuts the Subsidy Spigot Off; Hastings Likely to Close
Friday, the province of British Columbia posted a public letter announcing an end to the subsidies for Hastings Racecourse as of Jan 31, 2026. Apparently, the decision was precipitated by the industry’s request for even more public money than it has been receiving (millions annually). The joyous upshot: This, coupled with the announcement in August…
New Racetrack – Very Old Horses
A few years back, Nebraska green-lit racinos partly to save the light, moribund horseracing industry there. Although there are six racing licenses, save for Fonner Park the tracks have been running a bare minimum of races – just enough to keep their licenses intact with the promise of casino gaming (and sports betting) on the…
Less Breeding on Horizon in Cal; 103 Lengths Back at Delaware (a Racino) Still Means a Payday
From an article in Horse Racing Nation last week: “California’s already reeling breeding industry will take a big hit starting next Thursday when Harris Farms sells off 90 horses after last month’s death of legendary breeder John Harris. … The 330-acre Harris Farm will be converted to vegetable land by next summer…. What remains of…
Giving Voice
Giving Voice at Gulfstream
This past Saturday, “Pegasus Day,” Horseracing Wrongs once again partnered with SoFlo Animal Rights for a protest at Gulfstream Park. Thank you all for standing for the horses!
Former Owner: "As I became more involved…I was sickened."
Longtime HW supporter Rick Bowman has posted the following to his LinkedIn account. It serves to remind that we should never miss an opportunity to advocate. Thanks, Rick. “I’ve been called a lot of names because of my passion for the welfare of animals. I’m especially vocal in my concern for horses. There is a…
Tell These Politicians That Animal Cruelty Is Neither Fun Nor Funny
Follows is a guest post from our indefatigable leader, HW Executive Director Nicole Arciello. Please read through, and most important, take the action. On October 8th, a group of New York State legislators gathered for an annual event called the Legislative Pace at Yonkers Raceway. If the subsidies that allow the continued abuse and death…
Great LTE on Subsidies; and Breathalyzers?
The following LTE was published in the Des Moines Register yesterday. It serves to remind that no matter who or where you are, you can be a voice for the horses. (If you think you need help putting a letter together, please reach out to me: patrickjbattuello@gmail.com.) Thank you, Ray. “Prairie Meadows and its regulators…