The year 2023 has been very grim for equestrian sports. First, in Kentucky Derby and then at the Saratoga race course, a multitude of equine partners were euthanized in the wake of brutal lacerations they endured during the race. Along similar lines, two more horses recently passed away at the Del Mar racetrack in California. This has enraged a lot of equine welfare bodies and local people.

Equestrian events are taking a lot of flak worldwide because of the increased number of horse deaths. While trainers take the best care of their horses, the heat and the racing conditions are proving too much. People have now taken to the roads to put a stop to equestrian racing.

Del Mar equestrian racetrack comes under heavy fire

The Del Mar racetrack in California is one of the most celebrated racetracks in the world. Equestrian Bing Cosby established the legendary racetrack in 1937, and today it is one of the most important pillars of equestrian sports. The protestors, however, do not see these facts in the wake of the several equine deaths before their eyes.

Several protestors gathered at the gates of the Del Mar racetrack and demanded the closure of the equestrian racetrack. Del Mar racetrack, however, clarified that only four horses have perished. The racetrack did not count the death of a fifth horse as a racing death, since it did not perish while racing.

Activist Ellen Ericksen was also present at the protests. She said she has been protesting against the equestrian racetrack for 20 years. “Horses are dying at this racetrack, racing and in training. This is not a safe racetrack,” said Ericksen. The activist said she would not stop protesting until the racetrack would shut down all operations or the deaths stopped. While several protestors had gathered at Del Mar, they were not the only ones in attendance. A group of counter-protestors had also arrived at the gates of the equestrian racetrack. One of them was Oscar De la Torre, who said that people like Ericksen are creating needless problems.

Counter-protestors say things have improved

De la Torre said that the Del Mar racetrack cares about every racehorse. He said that the livelihoods of several people depend on these races. Speaking to ABC 10 News, De la Torre said that the workers love the horses at Del Mar. In fact, the equestrian racetrack is doing far better than several other racetracks in America. He emphasized that the safety measures have been enhanced in recent years, and equine deaths have decreased. According to data from the horse racing Board, California recorded 209 equine deaths in 2016 compared to 64 in 2022.

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Equine deaths have also caused enormous problems for the Saratoga Racetrack. The famed equestrian racetrack lost seven horses in the summer racing season. The Saratoga nightmare has now come to haunt the Del Mar racetrack. While the protestors’ concerns are in the right place, shutting down equestrian racetracks would not be a viable solution for all stakeholders. Several households depend on these horse races, and closing just one racetrack down can render several people jobless. 

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