Two tragic incidents occurred at the Del Mar Racetrack, resulting in the deaths of two horses within just two days, prompting concerns about the safety of these magnificent creatures during race seasons.
As reported by ABC 10News, a 5-year-old mare named Nevisian Sunrise met with a tragic accident on July 28, causing her to be euthanized due to her inoperable injuries. Nevisian Sunrise, who had placed third in the previous Saturday's Osunitas Stakes, collided with a stationary object after getting loose.
Just a day later, tragedy struck again when a 4-year-old filly named Ghostem suffered an unrepairable musculoskeletal injury to her front right leg during a workout on the main track. The decision to euthanize was made by the veterinarian team, according to NBC San Diego. These unfortunate incidents have cast a shadow on the Del Mar Racetrack's summer season, which began on July 21, 2023.
Both horses' bodies will undergo necropsies, with the results set to be reported to the California Horse Racing Board. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has expressed condolences to those who owned, trained, and cared for both horses, stating that their priority remains the safety and welfare of all horses and riders at their facility.
The previous year, during the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the California Horse Racing Board reported a total of seven horse deaths at the Del Mar Racetrack as mentioned in NBC San Diego's report. Nevertheless, the Del Mar Racetrack prides itself on being one of the safest major racing venues in North America. Last year's 2022 summer race meet consisted of 294 races with 2,688 starters during 31 days, recording not a single fatal injury in the process according to ABC 10News.
Horse racing has come under increased scrutiny in recent years, with animal welfare advocates and racing industry stakeholders calling for enhanced measures to ensure the safety of horses. In response, the industry has made efforts to introduce new regulations, reforms, and protocols aimed at protecting these valued equine athletes.
One such effort is the creation of the Horse Racing & Safety Authority, a new regulatory agency overseeing the implementation of stricter safety measures at racetrack venues, including Del Mar per ABC 10News. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club spokesperson, Mac McBride, explained that the racetrack has various safety measures in place, including extra veterinary oversight, stringent medication rules, investments in racing surfaces, and a care program for retired horses.
Despite these efforts, it's clear that accidents can still occur, raising important questions regarding the effectiveness of current safety measures and the need for further improvements.
