It is the highest-paid race series in the US, their venue is considered a horse cemetery. At the racecourse Santa Anita Park an animal died again. The four-year-old gelding Mongolian Groom was euthanized after a fall in the Breeders' Cup Classic. The accident overshadowed the victory of Vino Rosso.
"Mongolian Groom suffered a breach in the Breeders' Cup Classic today and was immediately taken care of by an experienced team of veterinarians," said a spokesman for the US $ 28 million highest-paid race. The gelding had broken his left hind leg in the final race on Saturday. The veterinarians would have recommended a "humane euthanasia" after the investigation. In the previous races on Friday and Saturday no horses had been injured.
An independent investigation into the circumstances of the fall will now be initiated and the results subsequently made public, it said. "Together with our industry partners, we will work to further the safety reforms in the interest of our athletes."
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Santa Anita Park is under intense surveillance after a series of disasters. The current case increases the number of horses that have died on the famous Southern California route since December last year to 37. Since September 2019, there have now been seven. In March, the racing operation in Santa Anita was temporarily shut down after 21 animals died within three months. The operators then adopted stricter rules. The incidents are also being investigated by the district attorney's office and the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB).
Animal rights activists protested in front of the venue on both days. The sport equals animal cruelty and must be banned. "Ignore everything you've read about 'safety' and horse racing," said Patrick Battuello of the Horseracing Wrongs group. If a death can not be prevented today, then you will never be able to prevent it: "It is part of the sport - and it has to stop."