I received the following email Sunday. (I believe the horse in question was Texas Star.) “Unfortunately, I was present at Lone Star Park on the night of April 19th. It was the second time I had ever attended the horse races. I observed a horse lying down lifeless on the track after it ran in ..read more

This from the Stewards’ Report for the Tryon Steeplechase in North Carolina Apr 13: “Larger Than Life fell at the 8th fence and was euthanized off course.” The stewards closed their report thus: “The course was in excellent condition and the event ran smoothly. Credit to [the] staff for a well-run event. Special recognition should ..read more

From the stewards at Keeneland… Apr 5:“Spinning Class was injured in the paddock, scratched.” “Choate was injured in the post parade, scratched.” Apr 6:“Here Mi Song was injured in the starting gate, scratched.” Apr 11:“The claim [sale] of Luke was voided when horse was placed on Vet’s List.” Apr 12:“The claim of Aged Truth was ..read more

Last week at the CHRB’s monthly meeting, after Equine Medical Director Jeff Blea gave his death report, this exchange between Blea and Chairman Greg Ferraro took place: Ferraro: “Our injury rate, death rate, is creeping up. Do you have any solutions, reasons, comments about that?” Blea: “Solutions, no. Reasons, each one is unique.” First, on ..read more

For the second straight day, a track opened its “season” with a kill. One day after Aw Ite perished at Mountaineer, this befell Askin for a Baskin in the 7th at Thistledown: “chased the early pace, suffered a catastrophic injury past the half mile pole…and was euthanized.” He was six years old; ’twas his 43rd ..read more

The CHRB reports that One Two Tres Aces died at Los Alamitos Friday, no other details as yet. He was (barely) two years old and being prepped for his debut ..read more

Chart notes from U.S. Thoroughbred and Quarterhorse races last week. Memories in Gold “vanned off” at TurfSpirit of Dreams “vanned off” at EvangelineHonors Legacy “bled” at KeenelandCowboy Bar Cartel “vanned off” at TurfBeautiful Ending “vanned off” at EvangelineNo Wasabi for Me “vanned off” at GulfstreamFebruary Son “fell, taken off track via ambulance, euthanized” at KeenelandMalinois ..read more

Mountaineer opened its “season” last night – with a kill. The full chart note for Aw Ite in the 8th race: “Aw Ite took a bad step pulling up on the turn and was euthanized on track.” That’s it, just another life snuffed. Aw was seven; this was his 55th turn under the whip. His ..read more

Under its “Equine Safety Report,” Keeneland released this yesterday: “During race 5, #2 February Son sustained an injury and was attended to by an expert team of veterinarians led by KHRC Chief Vet Dr. Nick Smith in consultation with Dr. Stuart Brown, Vice President of Equine Safety at Keeneland. Given the extent of the injury ..read more

The following is but a sampling of horses killed at U.S. tracks last year (full list here). Please note that I have not included kills that took place in California, Maryland, Kentucky, and Oklahoma, for those states provided the most (excruciating) detail and merit stand-alone views – California, Maryland, Kentucky, Oklahoma. (Although I noted ages ..read more