Another horse was euthanized on Friday at the Santa Anita Park gallop racecourse: the death of six-year-old mare "GQ Covergirl", who injured both forelegs during training, is the 35th on the Californian facility since December of last year - and the fifth since September 2019 (three in training, two in the race). Only about a week ago, the three-year-old gelding "Satchel Paige" was euthanized after he had suffered an open fracture at the fetlock of the left front leg during a race.
Santa Anita Park in Arcadia is one of the most famous routes in the US, because of the numerous deaths are their owners, the "Stronach Group", but also heavily in the criticism. Racing was temporarily suspended in March after more than 20 animals died within three months. The operators then adopted stricter rules. Among other things, the use of drugs and those of the devices was regulated more strictly.
CNN quoted the chief veterinarian of the Stronach Group after the penultimate death on the train. Accordingly, "Satchel Paige" at the University of California necropsy undergo to find clues how the accident can be prevented in the future. According to the "Los Angeles Times" the procedure is also carried out on "GQ Covergirl".
AFP / Mario Tama
"Welcome to the Death Course": People protest after the death of "Satchel Paige" in front of the racetrack
The racetrack incidents are also being investigated by the district attorney's office and California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) regulator. According to CNN, it will be decided, among other things, whether the conditions on the track and the coaches of the horses play a role. The results will be published by the CHRB in December, according to the Los Angeles Times.
"GQ Covergirl" won six out of 16 starts and prize money of around $ 200,000. Since June, she is coached by the two-time Kentucky derby winner Doug O'Neill, to which she also belongs proportionately. Previously, the horse stood in the stable of Phil D'Amato. This trained according to the Reuters and the "Los Angeles Times" also the accident "Satchel Paige". The animal rights organization Peta called for consequences by the CHRB.
Despite the continuing death row, the "Breeders' Cup" (1 / 2November) will take place in Santa Anita Park within one week. The organizer of the US $ 22 million most highly endowed US racing series had spoken out in June for it.
