Despite Assurance of Track Safety, PETA Calls for Suspension of Racing at Popular Equestrian Racecourse

Equestrian sports are facing more and more flak every day. The death toll of horses is not coming down, and things are getting more problematic with each passing day. While equine deaths are distributed throughout America, the Saratoga Racetrack is taking the maximum heat.

Saratoga Racetrack is situated in New York and is revered as one of the pillars of equestrian sports. However, the racetrack is also the site of the most equine deaths. Animal welfare organization PETA has called for suspending operations at the racetrack owing to the increasing deaths.

PETA claims equestrian racetrack is not safe

The Saratoga Equestrian Racetrack has been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately. Despite the several major racing events hosted at Saratoga, the shadow of equine deaths never left the headlines. The racetrack recently saw the demise of a three-year-old thoroughbred named Wisecracken. This marked the 11th tragic passing of a horse at the historic racetrack since the beginning of the spring season. According to PETA, “Eleven horses have died at Saratoga Race Course since late May, and the bloodbath must be stopped now.” The animal welfare organization is one of the most prominent voices for animal safety and the body is urging the authorities to suspend all racing operations at the famed equestrian racetrack. “We also urge the Horseracing Integrity and Racing Authority to step in and press for closure,” said PETA.

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) is the equestrian body responsible for overseeing all the operations at Saratoga. The Vice President of Communications of the NYRA, Patrick McKenna, responded to PETA’s demand for a closure of the operations. McKenna said, “The health and safety of horses and jockeys competing at NYRA tracks is our highest priority and one that stands above all other considerations.” McKenna also quoted the NYSGC equine injury database data to strengthen his words. He said that the number of equine deaths has halved since 2011. He also stated that the NYRA is a dedicated equestrian body and will make greater investments for equine safety. McKenna also quoted further statistics to prove that Saratoga has contributed majorly to horses’ safety.

NYRA shows figures to shake off suspension demands

The NYRA has maintained that all equestrian racehorses have to undergo mandatory health checkups before competing. McKenna said that 99.7 percent of the racehorses competing at Saratoga are uninjured and healthy. Equestrian bodies have also been receiving heat for not counting the deaths that occur while training instead of racing. 

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The NYRA said that 99.9% of racehorses safely completed their training since the opening of Saratoga in April. These claims, however, failed to satisfy PETA. The animal welfare body urged NYRA to shut down operations just like the Churchill Downs racetrack. The Kentucky-based racetrack is currently under inspection. However, the authorities have not detected any safety concerns at the famed racetrack so far.

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