More Racing Abuses Exposed and Punished

Just a week after Congress heard testimony about the cruelty of the thoroughbred racing industry, racing officials have handed out a stiff penalty for a jockey who whipped a horse so severely that her eye hemorrhaged. On June 23 at Delaware Park, jockey Jeremy Rose used his whip so harshly on thoroughbred Appeal to the City that the racing stewards suspended him for six months and ordered him to pay all veterinary bills. While whips should be banned entirely, at least racing stewards are sending a message to jockeys, owners, and trainers: We're watching, and we will punish offenders.

Meanwhile, Big Brown's trainer, Richard Dutrow—who has been suspended and fined numerous times for misuse of drugs—is facing suspension again, this time for excessive use of the drug clenbuterol (a bronchial dilator) in a May 2 race at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority (KHRA) found one of his horses, Salute the Count, with more than twice the allowable level of clenbuterol in his system. PETA is urging the KHRA to put a stop to Dutrow's drug misuse once and for all by permanently banning him from racing in Kentucky. We need your help today!
Also, if you work in the horseracing industry and witness or know about any cruelty or illegal practices or incidents, click here to report cruelty.