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
2-Year-Old Collapses and Dies After Galloping at Belmont
This from the NYS Gaming Commission for Two Pence at Belmont this past Sunday: “after galloping for the first time, horse was returned to barn [then] suddenly collapsed and died.” The horse in question, as evidenced by the “galloping for the first time,” was a virtual baby – she had just turned two Apr 1.…
Kill at Santa Anita, Kill at Aqueduct, Kill at Laurel
Angel’s Edition, says the CHRB, was killed training at Santa Anita Sunday – no details till our FOIA. She had just (May 1) turned two and was being prepped for her first race. She becomes the 10th (that we know about) kill at Santa Anita this year. Also, the NYS Gaming Commission has only just…
4-Year-Old Killed ("Cardiac") on Derby Day
The chart note for Morlock in the 6th at Aqueduct just a little while ago: “Morlock coaxed from the gate, chased along the inside and then just off the inside coming under coaxing three furlongs from home…was eased up nearing the eighth pole, crossed the finish well behind…then fell after the finish appearing to suffer…
War of Destiny Confirmed Killed at Oaklawn
In the 2nd at Oaklawn Mar 26, War of Destiny, said the chart, “fell while being pulled up at the top of the lane, and was transported off the track in an ambulance.” In fact, I have confirmed, he is dead. He had just turned four, and this was his 11th time under the whip.…
Everyday Cruelty
Video of 2-Year-Old Going Down at Sam Houston
Trumps Train in the 8th at Sam Houston yesterday. We won’t know if the 2-year-old survived until our FOIA, but… https://youtu.be/sl_FOVbejAs
How many horses were killed on Kentucky Derby Day? These lists and videos offer clues.
Yesterday, as reported, Morlock was killed at Aqueduct. But surely, the 4-year-old cardiac victim was not the only “athlete” killed on Kentucky Derby Day. In fact, no fewer than six horses were so badly injured yesterday they needed an ambulance to get off the track: Fast Dashn Devil at Delta (also “bled” – pulmonary hemorrhage)…
9 Days at Keeneland: 72 Injured or Sick Horses
Over the course of just 9 days (Apr 11-23) at Keeneland, 34 horses were scratched by the regulatory vet – i.e., their exploiters had every intention of racing them – for being “injured” or “unsound,” another 25 by private vets for being “injured” or “ill,” and 6 horses who were “claimed” (bought) prior to races…
Fell, Fell, Fell, Fell, Fell, Fell
More steeplechase madness this past Saturday… Combined, the Foxfield Spring Races (Virginia) – where “children 12 and under are free of charge”! – and the Maryland Hunt Cup – where you can enjoy “an afternoon of tailgating and picnicking on the hillside that overlooks the racecourse”! – ran seven races. In those seven, no fewer…
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
Prominent Owner: "The industry is thriving in Kentucky and surviving in other places solely because of subsidies."
While New York has the most tracks, I think it fair to call Kentucky the heart and soul of American horseracing. From breeding to tracks like Churchill and Keeneland to the Kentucky Derby itself, KY is ground zero. In fact, the title of a Louisville Public Media piece just ahead of this year’s Derby laid…
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 for being “injured” or “ill,” and 5 horses who were “claimed” (bought) prior to races…
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…
Giving Voice
HW in "The Sunday Debate" in The New York Times
“The Sunday Debate” (scroll down a bit) in The New York Times: “Yesterday was the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby. But with all of the documented problems in horse racing, is it right to continue celebrating the event? “Yes. It’s an iconic American event, celebrated countrywide, where attendees get to dress up for fun,…
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…