Del Mar Deaths

12/4/2016 — Four fatal breakdowns in racing occurred on the Del Mar track in one week:
2 on 11/27/2016, 1 on 12/1/2016, and 1 on 12/3/2016. More>>

1920s Colts, Scapa Flow and Dice

Photo: © Keeneland-Cook, via The Vault

12/3/2016 — Scapa Flow (Man o’ War) and the undefeated Dice now grace the Memorial (see page for 1800 through 2013), both Eclipse Award Champion 2 Year Olds, in 1926 and 1927, respectively. Thank you, citizen reporter Columbus, GA, for suggesting these two colts who died so early in their careers.

“The Galloping Grey Ghost”

11/21/2016 — The dark-grey roan Springsteel (1929~1934), “injured in service,” now graces the Memorial (see tab for years 1800 through 2013), never to be forgotten again. His story is told in one of the most touching pieces of photojournalism and tribute to a horse we’ve ever seen: “Of Springsteel and Moving History.” His memory will live on for generations to come.

“Vanned Off”—Dead

UPDATED 11/20/2016 — We find it interesting that sometimes Equibase charts will simply report a horse was “vanned off” while, subsequently, New York State Gaming Commission and other sources will report the horse was “euthanized on the track.” Why the discrepancy? More>>

35 Racehorses in 2 Months

11/19/2016 — On 9/18/2016 we reached the milestone of 4,000 horses posted on the Memorial (since 2005), yet have added 35 more horses since that post two months ago. More>>

Corona del Inca (ARG)

11/5/2016 — Farewell to the 5-year-old mare Corona del Inca who lost her life from injuries in the Breeder’s Cup Distaff at Santa Anita on November 4, 2016. She suffered irreparable multiple fractures to her right-front leg nearing the stretch, was vanned off, and subsequently euthanized. Condolences to all who were involved in her life. May the remaining horses in Day 2 of the Breeder’s Cup today finish their races safe and sound.

Belmont Racetrack Takes Its Turn

10/22/2016 — Eight (8) on-track fatalities in October 2016 so far at Belmont Park. Every track gets its turn at suffering an embarrassing flurry of fatalities that no one can explain. More>>

The Enduring Leppspringe (IRE)

9/27/2016 — In 1892, the Irish Thoroughbred carriage-horse-turned-endurance-horse left Berlin on the grueling 360-mile Distanzritt. More>>

A Milestone We Never Wanted to Reach

9/18/2016 — Today, the Memorial reached 4,000 horses posted since its inception in 2005. Hardly something to celebrate. Each and every horse is confirmed to have perished from racing or training injuries. Herein are those remembered, standing in for the “silent majority.”

Bewildered by Del Mar Deaths?

As is true in the case of SeaWorld, a slow but steady drumbeat of
protest over the exploitation of animals for entertainment purposes
is perculating its way through the American consciousness.~Doug Porter, San Diego Free Press
8/23/2016 — Currently, the mysterious trend in on-track deaths at Del Mar continues. Reported deaths range from 14 to 19 (over the 39-day meet so far) in training and racing, depending upon which story you read. More>>

Gratitude for the Racehorses

Big Book
Photo: CTBA

7/26/2016 — In all these years of documenting fatalities, I never really publicly expressed my gratitude for the gift of horses in this world. And so I say thank you to them for their service, not just for their “utility” but for who they are and what they mean to this life. Join me in thanking the horses... ~Editor

Racehorse Fatalities Omitted from Official Reports

7/22/2016 — Official race reports are inconsistent in how they disclose racehorse injuries and fatalities. For example, California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) stewards’ minutes may or may not report certain on-track incidents publicly. More>>

Racehorse Trainer Takes Her Life

7/21/2016 — We are sorry to hear that Monique Snowden, trainer of fallen racehorse The Chilli Man, committed suicide on Sunday evening, July 17, 2016, reportedly distraught over the 2-year-old gelding’s death. More>>

The Valiant Magic d’Oro

6/19/2016 — We can’t write about every horse on the Memorial, even knowing that each and every one is a book unto himself or herself, worthy to be written. But sometimes we are moved to officially say goodbye. More>>

Why No End to Racetrack Fatalities?

6/3/2016 — The Internet was flooded with stories about two racehorse fatalities at Pimlico (May 21, 2016). Attention is drawn to such high-profile races as the Preakness, and people act shocked that two horses perished on the same race card. But many racehorses have died in action since then. More>>

CHRB Weighs In on Whipping Rule

5/29/2016 — Since July 1, 2015, California jockeys could only whip a horse three times in succession, limited to the stretch run and only during the race’s last 16th of a mile. This is when horses tire, give way and/or, according to what this Memorial has observed, frequently break down. More>>

Coincidences in Horseracing

5/21/2016 — Hardly anything in the universe happens by accident, but occurs through direct intention or neglect, by the choices we make. And life reminds us of this in obvious and uncanny ways. More>>

Remember Racehorse Holocauste (FR)

Holocauste (FR)

Soldiers fall as casualties of war,
and so do the racehorses.
On the turf's battlefield,
some are wounded and
some do not return.
For this reason, remember
the racehorses.

The 2016 Scottish Grand National

4/29/2016 — We don’t have to be watching from the sidelines in person to understand that a race like this can’t be fun for anyone (or can it?), least of all the horses. During the chase where less than half the horses finished, Golden Chieftain broke down. More>>

Hidden Racehorse Fatalities

4/20/2016 — Many times we have reminded that this Memorial (or any other) only scratches the surface of the true death toll. For example, the 8-year-old gelding Brassy Pete (see Memorial) was the 11th horse this season to suffer a fatal injury in racing at Turf Paradise, said the track’s general manager Vince Francia (The Arizona Republic/azcentral, 4/18/2016)—leaving us to ask: Who are the other 10?

Losses at Cheltenham 2016: 7

No More Heroes (IRE)

3/18/2016 — Seven valiant horses perished during the 2016 Cheltenham Festival. The annual race meeting is a grand event for the players, spectators, and the horses’ connections. But how did things look out on the course as the races unfolded? More>>

Cheltenham 2016: Six Fatalities on Day One

The Govaness (GB) Wins at Cheltenham, 2015
Photo credit: Sporting Life

Three horses died today on day one of the 2016 Cheltenham Festival. They may love to run, not knowing this could be the last time. More>>

The Story of Sunloch

Sunloch (GB)

Steeplechaser Sunloch (GB) joins the Memorial and oldest horses pages today. He reminds us that every racehorse has a story to be told. In this case, the horse is celebrated. Sunloch will receive the coveted “green plaque.”
More>>

Fatally Injured Racehorses Ad Infinitum

Admire Rakti (JPN)

3/3/2016 — For over 10 years the Memorial has tracked fallen racehorses amid the industry's attempts to make racing safer. Surely, no one would like to minimize injuries more than the very industry whose survival depends upon its athletes. More>>

Unknown Soldiers in Horseracing

On the Memorial, unknown soldier is used when a source reported a fatality without disclosing the horse’s name. Named or not, every horse counts.