Horse Riding and Equestrian Community Alarmed After 2 More Horses Die in California as Toll Rises to 14

In a heartbreaking turn of events, the world of horse racing found itself once again under the spotlight’s harsh glare. The New York Thunder, a promising 3-year-old colt, tragically fell and fractured the left front fetlock at the Grade 1 $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes.

Despite valiant efforts, Thunder’s injuries proved fatal. Adding to the growing toll of horse fatalities in the sport, the incidents are igniting passionate debates about the future of horse racing.

Rise of horse fatalities at the accursed racetrack

Wisecraken, a promising 3-year-old Thoroughbred, marked the 11 horse to meet the tragic end on the fateful track. This heart-wrenching event was followed by the loss of Burning Bright on August 23, further emphasizing the distressing frequency of such incidents. The gravity of the situation escalated on August 26 when Nobel and New York Thunder joined the ranks of victims, bringing the total to a staggering 14 lives lost in a short span of time.

Allen Jerkens Memorial was once a symbol of equine excellence, and competition has now become a place marked by sorrow and tragedy. The repeated occurrences of fatal injuries to these majestic creatures cast a dark cloud over the integrity of the sport.

Grim outlook for Jerkins Memorial in horseracing

The growing toll of horse fatalities has highly outraged People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). They demanded a suspension of racing at Saratoga. PETA called the racetrack a ‘slaughterhouse’ and urged HISA to shut it down immediately.

Following the rise in the fatalities at Saratoga and Churchill Downs, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) launched an investigation. They have now recently shared their findings. HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus stated,

“The events at Churchill Downs, Laurel Park and Saratoga Race Course this spring and summer were a sobering reminder of the complexity of that mission. We must create a culture of safety and an ecosystem of care that takes into account all factors contributing to equine fatalities.  And it is the responsibility of all racing participants to do their part. That is why HISA is making ambitious recommendations and further mandates to ensure everyone involved in the sport acts, first and foremost, in the best interest of the horse. Racing can and must do better”

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In light of the recent tragic events, HISA has also formed a New Track Surface Advisory Group. It will task the members with scrutinizing the uniformity of dirt, turf, and synthetic surfaces at Thoroughbred racetracks nationwide.

At the Press release on September 7, Lazarus said “This Group is crucial to ensuring that HISA can support local experts working to make the surfaces on which Thoroughbreds compete as safe as possible”

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The recent spate of tragic incidents at Jerkens Memorial Racetrack serves as a wake-up call for the entire horse racing industry. The call for reform and increased scrutiny within the industry is growing louder. This leaves many to question if the pursuit of glory should come at such a heavy price.