A record set in Saratoga this weekend, but not one a lot of people want to talk about.
The number of horse deaths at the track this year has now reached 17 with the deaths of two more horses this past weekend. That's the highest number since the State Gaming Commission started keeping track. And the season isn't over yet.
"It's not surprising at all," said Patrick Battuelo, who heads a group called Horse Racing Wrongs. "This is something that happens at tracks all across the country, not just at Saratoga.
"Travelin' Soldier died Saturday while training. Two days before, "Sayonara Rose" died after finishing a race on the main track.
"We want this to go away," Battuelo said. "This is 21st-century America. We're better than this."
The Gaming Commission, which investigates each incident at the track, issued a statement over the weekend saying there are a "blend of factors" that require comprehensive evaluation.
As we do with every equine fatality on the grounds of a track in New York State, the Gaming Commission is actively investigating the causes and circumstances of each incident at Saratoga Race Course.
There is often no single common cause among the incidents that unfortunately result in equine fatalities, but instead a blend of factors that require comprehensive evaluation. If our investigations find commonalities among the incidents that require changes in protocol on- and off-the-track, we will make necessary changes.
“The Gaming Commission’s ongoing goal is to reduce the number of racehorse deaths and injuries to zero, and we have taken many productive steps toward reaching that goal. However, our work is never done and there will always be challenges in this endeavor that require re-examination and re-calibration to effectively protect horses and their riders.
“The Commission consistently re-evaluates its efforts and makes necessary amendments as needed in order to best reflect the research of the industry. We apply a quality control approach in our work and continue to identify risk factors, circumstances and trends that may contribute to equine fatalities. We go to great lengths to educate the industry’s participants on best practices and guidelines to reduce and/or eliminate such risk factors.
In fact, New York State is the first major North American jurisdiction to require horse trainers and assistant trainers as a condition of licensing to take continuing education on horse stewardship in order to ensure they are informed of the latest technology and trends in the field of equine health and safety.
“From a statewide regulatory and veterinary affairs perspective, other states look to New York for guidance in shaping their own regulatory and best-practice methods to ensure horse welfare.”
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