Death of a horse at Pleasanton racetrack alarms animal welfare group

The organization Kill Racing Not Horses said the California Authority of Racing Fairs confirmed that a racehorse, a gelding named Toppers Wager, died “without euthanasia” after a collision with another horse at the racetrack.

Larry Swartzlander, executive director of the CA Authority of Racing Fairs, was quoted as saying, “Toppers Wager came up to #1 Goodbye Kai and clipped his heels.” He added that he spoke to the state veterinarian at about 8:30 p.m. and the veterinarian said Toppers Wager most likely broke his neck and died at the racetrack before the attending veterinarian could do anything.”

According to reports, a jockey was injured in the collision.

According to Kill Racing Not Horses, Toppers Wager’s death is the 44th reported fatal horse accident at California horse tracks in 2024. It is also reportedly the fourth horse death at this year’s Alameda County Fair horse races at Pleasanton Race Track.

“No serious sport would tolerate the deaths of 44 of its athletes in 26 weeks of competition in just one state (California), let alone the deaths of four of its athletes in four weeks of competition in just one location (Pleasanton Racetrack/Alameda County Fair Horse Races),” the group said.

Earlier this spring, Golden Gate Fields racetrack closed for horse racing after 83 years. The closure came amid protests following the deaths of 17 thoroughbreds at the track last year.

According to the California Horse Racing Board, more than a thousand horses have died at California racetracks since 1993.