<< photo by Mohsan Ali Mirza >>
The recent deaths of seven horses in the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby, has reignited scrutiny about the sport and sparked outrage among animal rights activists. Despite recent efforts to make the sport safer for horses, the horse racing industry continues to be embroiled in scandals involving allegations of animal cruelty.
According to reports, four of the seven horses that died were euthanized after sustaining injuries. The first death occurred on April 29, when Code of Kings, a 3-year-old gelding, broke his neck after repeatedly flipping over before a race. His trainer, Tim Glyshaw, claimed his horse appeared fixated on the lights at a nearby DJ booth. Two days later, another horse, Wild on Ice, was also euthanized due to injuries sustained during training.
Two horses, Parents Pride and Chasing Artie, also died under mysterious circumstances which has resulted in their trainer, Saffie Joseph Jr., being indefinitely suspended. On Saturday, two more horses, Chloe’s Dream and Freezing Point, were euthanized after sustaining racing injuries.
The horse racing industry has been under intense pressure for years to make its sport safer for animals, as horse fatalities and injuries continue to plague the sport. Animal rights activists and groups such as Animal Wellness Action are calling for more transparency and stronger measures to protect horses.
As horse racing comes under scrutiny, calls for reform are also mounting. In the wake of these latest deaths, the Kentucky Horseracing Commission and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority will partner with Churchill Downs to conduct a thorough investigation into the fatalities and learn how to improve the safety of the sport. The University of Kentucky will also conduct post-mortem examinations on the racehorses.
The horse racing industry must uphold industry ethics and prioritize animal welfare and safety over profit. While the tradition and passion for horse racing runs deep, it is imperative that the industry takes bold and swift action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the horses. As Animal Wellness Action stated, “Lamentations are not enough.” It is time for the horse racing industry to put animal welfare at the center of its sport and take the necessary measures to ensure that horses are no longer subjected to lethal consequences.
In this highly controversial issue, it is essential for individuals to form their opinions and make informed decisions as ethical consumers. It remains to be seen what measures will be implemented to address the animal welfare concerns of the horse racing industry. Nonetheless, consumers must continue to demand more transparency and accountability from the industry until it takes serious action to right this wrong.
