“Just a Tragic Coincidence”: After Twin Equestrian Tragedies on the Track, Precautionary Measure by NYRA Faces Pushback

Equestrian racing is a complex game with various people involved in it in different capacities. For any horse racing authority, every decision related to horse racing must be thoroughly analyzed before implementation. The recent decision by the New York Racing Association reflects their commitment to prioritizing horse safety and preventing any mishaps.

The New York Racing Association has prohibited two horses from participating in the $125,000 allowance optional-claiming race. This action followed the collapse and subsequent euthanization of horses involved in the same race during their subsequent event. The decision has faced criticism, particularly from the trainers of the horses, who view it as an overreaction.

NYRA equestrian ban faces pushback

As a precautionary measure, NYRA has banned two horses whose last race was the Grade 3, $250,300 Robert G. Dick Memorial, a turf stake held at Delaware Park on July 1st. The decision follows the tragic breakdowns of the top finishers from that race: winner Sopran Basilea and runner-up Ever Summer, both of whom suffered fatal injuries in their subsequent races. Additionally, two other horses, Frivole, who was pulled up with a hook injury, and Talbeyah, who was vet-scratched, also faced issues. All these incidents to horses happened at Saratoga Racecourse.

The two banned horses are the four-year-old filly Parnac, trained by Christophe Clement, and the five-year-old mare Lady Rockstar, trained by Brendan Walsh. Brendan Walsh expressed disappointment with the decision, as he was confident that his horse came out of the Dick Memorial perfectly sound. Clement said that he was “surprised by the way the decision was implemented” but he understands it. His trained horse, Ever Summer, was euthanized after the breakdown. Graham Motion, whose trained horse, the winner of the Dick Memorial, Sopran Basilea, was also euthanized, and another horse, Frivole, was pulled off due to a hook injury, expressed reservations about the decision.

Graham said, “It’s an odd precedent to set“. He further explained that “It’s just a tragic coincidence” in which his filly got a hook injury. Mark Casse, the trainer of Talbeyah, stated that his filly got loose in the barn and sustained injuries from kicking four barn boards. The NYRA issued the decree following this incident.

How NYRA views the equestrian incident

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) banned the horses from participating in the allowance race and provided its reasons for the decision. Pat McKenna, NYRA’s vice president, stated in a press release that out of the seven horses that started in the Dick Memorial, two suffered fatal injuries, one was vanned off, and another was a vet scratch. He considered these cases as “highly unusual confluence” which cannot be ignored.

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He explained that PET scans will be performed on both horses at NYRA’s cost, and the results will be evaluated by NYRA’s regulatory veterinarians. McKenna further said, “Should the PET scans and further examinations reveal nothing out of the ordinary“n then the horses can take part in the races. He said the safety of horses and jockeys is paramount for the association.

Although the decision made by NYRA is difficult to accept, it must be adhered to for the safety of both the horses and the riders. Racing authorities should also establish clear rules and regulations regarding scratches, taking into consideration the input of horse trainers and owners.

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