Tag: horse racing

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Hastings Racecourse season bookended by animal fatalities as another 2-year-old horse euthanized 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VANCOUVER, October 22, 2024 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is calling on Vancouverites to choose animal-free entertainment after another horse died at Hastings Racecourse.  

During a race on October 12th, a 2-year-old horse named Anstruther suffered a compound fracture to her right hind leg and was euthanized, B.C.’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) confirmed to the VHS in an email. 

“It’s hard to imagine the fear and suffering horses endure when their fragile leg bones break at such high speeds,” said VHS Communication Director Chantelle Archambault. 

This death occurred in the last weekend of the racing season, marking the fourth fatality at the racecourse this year. The first fatal incident occurred less than one month after the racing season began, meaning this year’s racing season at Hastings was bookended by horse deaths. Eight horses also died in each of the last two years at Hastings. 

“We are a city of animal lovers. To host an event where animals are regularly dying does not reflect our values as a community,” Archambault continued. She implored people to think twice before attending a race. “If you’re attending these events, there is always a chance that you could witness some of a horse’s final moments alive.” 

More than 3,600 people have taken the VHS’s pledge not to attend horse races. The organization is encouraging people to take the pledge and choose entertainment events free of animal suffering. 

– ends –      

SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society     

For more information, contact Chantelle Archambault: 604-416-2903, chantelle@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca 

Or contact Emily Pickett: 604-416-2903, emily@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca 

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Hastings racing season bookended by horse deaths

Another horse has died after being seriously injured during the final weekend of the racing season at Hastings Racecourse. Her tragic loss was the fourth fatality of this year’s racing season, with the first occurring less than a month after the season began.

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There were four horse deaths at Hastings in 2024:

  • On May 25, a 3-year-old horse named Lizzie’s Rayne sustained a complete fracture of her left hind leg and was euthanized, less than one month into the racing season.
  • On August 9, a 2-year-old horse named Kiki’s Song of Life sustained a compound fracture in his left front leg during a timed workout and was subsequently euthanized.
  • On September 6, a 4-year-old horse named Lucky Cowboy suffered a compound fracture to his front leg during a race and was euthanized.
  • On October 12, a 2-year-old horse named Anstruther suffered a compound fracture to her right hind leg and was euthanized. Her death occurred during the final weekend of the racing season at Hastings.

Last year, eleven horses died at B.C.’s two racecourses – eight at Hastings and three at Fraser Downs.  

The pattern of regular deaths is not the only threat to horses’ well-being in the racing industry. Horses also suffer stress and pain as a result of aversive training and the use of painful tools like whips and bits to tightly control their movements in these risky, fast-paced events.

The VHS continues to encourage the public to not attend horse races and to take the pledge to reflect their concern for horses.  

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In the news
2023 incidents

Take the pledge to say no to horse racing

By taking the pledge today, you will reflect your concern about recent race horse fatalities and incidents and to sign up to receive updates on future actions you can take to help horses.

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2 incidents in 1 day at Hastings Racecourse

Two incidents within a single day at Hastings Racecourse left one horse named Lucky Cowboy dead and another named Be Sparky injured.

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This is the third death at Hastings this year:

  • On May 25, a 3-year-old horse named Lizzie’s Rayne sustained a complete fracture of her left hind leg and was euthanized, less than one month into the racing season.
  • On August 9, a 2-year-old horse named Kiki’s Song of Life sustained a compound fracture in his left front leg during a timed workout and was subsequently euthanized.
  • On September 6, a 4-year-old horse named Lucky Cowboy suffered a compound fracture to his front leg during a race and was euthanized.

Last year, eleven horses died at B.C.’s two racecourses – eight at Hastings and three at Fraser Downs.  

Horse racing puts horses’ lives at risk by using animals who are typically overbred for speed, rather than skeletal strength, in extremely fast-paced events. The industry also puts horses through stress and pain as a result of aversive training and the use of painful tools like whips and bits.

The VHS continues to encourage the public to not attend horse races and to take the pledge to reflect their concern for horses.  

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In the news
2023 incidents

Take the pledge to say no to horse racing

By taking the pledge today, you will reflect your concern about recent race horse fatalities and incidents and to sign up to receive updates on future actions you can take to help horses.

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Lucky Cowboy the horse euthanized after being injured in Vancouver race

Lucky Cowboy the horse euthanized after being injured in Vancouver race, group says

Animal advocates have renewed calls to boycott horse races after another animal was injured and euthanized at Hastings Racecourse last week.

“Animal advocates have renewed calls to boycott horse races after another animal was injured and euthanized at Hastings Racecourse last week.”

“The Vancouver Humane Society said the four-year-old horse – named Lucky Cowboy – suffered a compound fracture to his front leg during a race on Friday.”

“Another horse named Be Sparky was hurt earlier in the evening and removed from the course, according to the group.”

“‘This is not an isolated incident,’ said Emily Pickett, VHS campaign director, in a statement. ‘Horses like Lucky Cowboy and Be Sparky are paying the ultimate price for human entertainment, and we cannot stand by while horses continue to die.'”

Read the article in CTV News Vancouver and take the pledge not to attend horse races.

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Media Release

Two incidents in one day at Hastings Racecourse; horse euthanized 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VANCOUVER, September 11, 2024 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is once again speaking out after two incidents within a single day at Hastings Racecourse left one horse dead and another injured.

The incidents come less than one month after another horse death at Hastings. 

During the sixth race on September 6th, a 4-year-old horse named Lucky Cowboy suffered a compound fracture in his left front leg and was euthanized. The video replay has since been removed from the venue’s website, a measure that has never been taken before, according to the VHS’s anonymous source. 

Earlier that night, after the end of the fifth race, another 4-year-old horse named Be Sparky was pulled up lame by the jockey. He was removed from the racetrack by trailer and transported to the trainer’s barn for further evaluation of the injury, where he remains.

B.C.’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB), which oversees horse racing in the province, has confirmed that this marks the third death of the racing season at Hastings. Previous incidents at Hastings Racecourse resulted in the deaths of Lizzie’s Rayne in May and Kiki’s Song of Life in August. Last year, eleven horses died at B.C.’s two racecourses – eight at Hastings and three at Fraser Downs.    

“This is not an isolated incident; it’s a pattern of suffering. Horses like Lucky Cowboy and Be Sparky are paying the ultimate price for human entertainment, and we cannot stand by while horses continue to die,” said VHS’s Campaign Director, Emily Pickett. 

This is the second year in a row that a cluster of horse deaths has occurred. Last year, four horses died in the span of three weeks between July 16 and August 7 at Hastings Racecourse. 

The VHS asks those concerned about horses’ well-being to join more than 2,000 people who have taken the pledge not to attend horse races. 

– ends –      

SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society     

For more information, contact Emily Pickett: 604-416-2903, emily@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca 

Related links:  

Another horse fatality at Hastings Racecourse
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Another horse fatality at Hastings Racecourse

On August 9th 2024, a horse named Kiki’s Song of Life was euthanized after sustaining a compound fracture during a timed workout at Vancouver’s Hastings Racecourse. This incident marks the second known horse death at Hastings since the racing season began in April.

Last year, eleven horses died at B.C.’s two racecourses – eight at Hastings and three at Fraser Downs.  

Horses used in the high-pressure racing industry face stress, pain, and risk of injury and death as a result of selective breeding practices, aversive training, high speeds, and the use of painful tools like whips and bits.

The VHS continues to encourage the public to not attend horse races and to take the pledge to reflect their concern for horses.  

Take pledge
2023 incidents

Take the pledge to say no to horse racing

By taking the pledge today, you will reflect your concern about recent race horse fatalities and incidents and to sign up to receive updates on future actions you can take to help horses.

Learn more about the deaths of eight horses at Hastings Racecourse in 2023 here.

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Horse euthanized after injury at Hastings Racecourse

Recent articles from CTV News Vancouver and Victoria News highlight the tragic death of Lizzie’s Rayne at Hastings Racecourse and the Vancouver Humane Society’s response.

Scroll down for links to the articles or take the pledge not to attend horse racing events.

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Victoria News

Horse euthanized after injury during race at Vancouver racecourse

It’s the 1st death of the season, which began April 27; there were 8 deaths in 2022 and 2023 each

VHS Communications Director Chantelle Archambault said, “These horses are being bred and run to death for the sake of an afternoon of human entertainment because there is profit to be made in people attending and betting on races.”

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CTV News Vancouver

Horse euthanized after injury at Hastings Racecourse

A racehorse was euthanized after suffering an injury during a race at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver over the weekend.

“The racing industry puts these beautiful, sensitive animals through fear, stress, and risk to their lives, and these incidents are commonplace,” said VHS Communications Director Chantelle Archambault. “This is why the VHS is asking Vancouverites not to attend horse racing events.”

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Horse racing season to begin at deadly Hastings Racecourse

A close up photo of a horse with a bridle.
  • April 27th marks the beginning of live racing season at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver.
  • Last year, eight horses lost their lives at Hastings.
  • Horses used in racing events endure stress, pain, and risk to their lives due to the high-pressure events, aversive training methods, and the use of painful tools like whips and bits.
  • Horses who no longer generate a profit are at risk of being sent to auction, where they face further trauma and can end up on a slaughterhouse floor.

Can you take the pledge to boycott inhumane horse racing events and add your name in support of protecting horses?

Take pledge
2023 incidents

Take the pledge to say no to horse racing

By taking the pledge today, you will reflect your concern about recent race horse fatalities and incidents and to sign up to receive updates about the VHS’s upcoming horse racing campaign.

Learn more about the deaths of eight horses at Hastings Racecourse in 2023 here.

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Another horse death & incident in B.C.’s horse racing industry 

The VHS continues to raise concerns about B.C.’s horse racing industry following this year’s eighth horse fatality at Hastings Racetrack and a separate incident that resulted in the injury of another horse.

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Media coverage

On October 14th, a two-year old horse named Skysablazing was euthanized following a complete open fracture to the left front leg sustained during a race at Hastings Racecourse. Skysablazing’s death marks the eighth horse fatality at Hastings this year. 

On October 19th, a two-year old horse named Wannabeabigstar stumbled and fell during a harness race at Surrey’s Fraser Downs Racetrack, resulting in a collision with another two-year old horse named Outlawstaythcourse. Wannabeabigstar sustained injuried to his knees and was receiving ongoing treatment as of October 31, when B.C.’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) responded to the VHS’s inquiry about the condition of the horses. 

Following the spate of recent horse fatalities and incidents, along with the welfare issues associated with aversive training in the horse racing industry, the VHS is encouraging the public to pledge to not attend horse races.  

Incident details

See the most recent horse racing incident that took place at Surrey’s Fraser Downs racecourse. 

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Race horse fatalities at Hastings Racecourse in 2023: 

  • On July 16, a five-year old horse named One Fifty One was euthanized after being injured during a race.  
  • On July 22, a three-year old horse named Lent Me Twenty died after falling backward and hitting her head prior to a race. 
  • On July 30, a four-year old horse named Memorandum was euthanized after sustaining a traumatic injury during a race.  
  • On August 6, a five-year old horse named Eddie Who died after falling during a workout. 
  • On August 7, a four-year old horse named Lil Miss Intaglio was euthanized after presenting with symptoms of colic (gastrointestinal distress) on September 5. Despite treatment, her condition worsened and she was subsequently euthanized. 
  • On August 22, a five-year old horse named Indy Go Gold was euthanized after sustaining a catastrophic injury of his right hind leg during a timed workout.  
  • On September 16, a two-year old horse named Shadesofriogrande died after escaping the stable area at the racecourse and running into a wall. 
  • On October 14th, a two-year old horse named Skysablazing was euthanized following a complete open fracture to the left front leg.

Media coverage

You can read and watch more about this year’s incidents and responses from the public and the Vancouver Humane Society in the following news outlets:

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VHS raises concerns after eighth horse death this season at Hastings Racecourse

Charity raises concerns after eighth horse death this season at Hastings Racecourse – BC | Globalnews.ca

‘There were eight horse deaths at Hastings Racecourse last year,’ the Vancouver Humane Society said. ‘We’re now already at another eight deaths at Hastings Racecourse this year.’

The Vancouver Humane Society is raising alarm bells after eight horses lost their lives at Hastings Racecourse this year. The most recent death was that of two-year-old Skysablazing, who was euthanized after suffering a catastrophic injury during a race on October 14th.

“Skysablazing suffered a complete open fracture to her leg, which means the bone is exposed,” VHS Communications Director Chantelle Archambault told Global News. “It’s quite devastating to imagine the pain and the fear these horses experience in the moments before their death.”

“These horses are facing stress and risks to their lives at every stage of this process, including aversive training techniques [and] the use of painful tools like whips and bits that are meant to strictly control their movements.”

The B.C. Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch also reported eight racehorse deaths last year. The VHS is asking that the public consider the serious, recurring welfare issues in the horse racing industry when deciding which events to support – and to choose other activities that don’t put animals in harm’s way.

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