Target: Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senate Majority Leader
Goal: Support stronger regulations of horse racing industry to better protect active and retired racehorses.
The most recent Kentucky Derby will likely not be remembered for its winner and its roll call of racehorses but rather for its roll call of the dead: Wild On Ice, Code of Kings, Take Charge Briana, Chasing Artie, Chloe’s Dream, Freezing Point, and Parents Pride. Altogether, seven horses—all under five years of age–died in the run-up to or on the day of the Derby. Their causes of death ranged from injury to unknown causes. At least one suspension has resulted, but where is the greater accountability?
Young animals involved in horse racing have a notoriously high mortality rate, even as the average horse lifespan can reach 30 years. The horse that won the Kentucky Derby in 2021 was later stripped of the title due to suspected drugging, and that horse died suddenly a short time later. Suspicions about the treatment of racehorses have plagued venues from Churchill Downs to the notorious Santa Anita racetrack. And at least one Racing Hall of Fame inductee has been the subject of multiple suspensions and accusations stemming from a PETA investigation of abuse and drugging during training.
A stronger regulatory organization might begin setting things right for these vulnerable animals, as would passage of a bill to ban the slaughter of retired racehorses. Sign the petition below to advocate for these essential actions.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Senator Schumer,
The gold standard of horse racing—the Kentucky Derby—is becoming more synonymous with tragedy and controversy than with Triple Crowns. This year, the roster of dead horses nearly outnumbered the starting lineup. When will this narrative change?
The development of the Horserace Integrity and Safety Authority by Congressional order was a step in the right direction, but this measure still has too many loopholes and a lack of real enforcement. For context, Churchill Downs—the site of this year’s spate of deaths—was said to be “in full compliance.” Congress needs to send this agency back to the drawing board so that it can be “in full compliance” with its own objectives. And legislators can enact another important safeguard for horses once they leave the racetrack by passing the Save America’s Forgotten Equines Act, which would help prevent the needless slaughter of these prized animals for the sake of a few saved dollars.
The horse racing industry makes untold amounts of money off the backs of these animals. Please show Americans that you do not support profiteering from pain and cruelty by passing integral protections at once.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Kentucky Tourism
Ban horse racing and horse carriages as well! Horses are sentient beings!
There is NO way to make this safer – it is far too ruined by drugs, crooks, corrupt owners and trainers, and abusers of horses. They ALL train and race far too young.
This is no longer about the love of horses, as OLD racing was. This is all about too fast/too soon, drugs/mistreatment and worst of all, nothing but MONEY.
If any human athletes were injured/killed at the rate of these horses, that sport would be shut down. But at least humans have a choice; the horses do not.
HORSERACING NEEDS TO END.
Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senate Majority Leader
Support stronger regulations of horse racing industry to better protect active and retired racehorses.
I DEFINITELY AGREE WITH THIS COMMENT.
There is NO way to make this safer – it is far too ruined by drugs, crooks, corrupt owners and trainers, and abusers of horses. They ALL train and race far too young.
This is no longer about the love of horses, as OLD racing was. This is all about too fast/too soon, drugs/mistreatment and worst of all, nothing but MONEY.
If any human athletes were injured/killed at the rate of these horses, that sport would be shut down. But at least humans have a choice; the horses do not.
HORSERACING NEEDS TO END.
Disgusting
Horse-racing is a LEGALIZED CRIMINALITY.
STOP EXPLOITING innocent and majestic horses in this BLOOD-SPORT! Humans are greedy and disgusting!!!!!
BURN in HELL all of you, human garbage!!!
There is no such thing as a ‘racehorse’.
This is a ‘made up’ name going back hundreds of years ago where this stupid so-called tradition originated from!
A horse is not designed to jump two metre fences. This on it’s own is torture for these animals.
I mean, half of the time, especially when they have been round the track at least twice ( Grand National) held in the U.K. every year, the poor buggers are so knackered that they go crashing through the solid made jumps because they do not have the energy to attempt to jump over them.
Then you can see the little costumed bastard sitting atop the horse whipping seven barrels of shit out of the totally exhausted animal to try and make it go faster. Bastards all of them!
I remember when I was around five years old watching this supposed race with my parents on a small black and white television and my Mother shouting at the so-called jockeys who were mercilessly whipping and beating their horses towards the winning post to attempt to make them go faster even though you could see they were totally done and on the point of collapse.
And what happens to the losers behind the scenes is anybody’s guess! No doubt get a severe beating or such for not winning.
Also England’s ‘Royal Ascot’ where the woman try to outdo each other in their stupid fancy clothes and ridiculous hats!
These are the buggers to blame – the spectators because if there were none there would be no races.
Where will it end – I do not think that it will as it is too established. Yes it should be banned but I am not sure how this could ever happen unless there was a mass killing of all of the pounced up riders. Just a thought.
Any other ideas would be good to hear!
Horseracing is cruel & vile industry — much abuse & brutality to Horses — especially behind the scenes and behind our backs — Horses suffer greatly from Day#1 — this obscene racket must be SHUT DOWN permanently