The TDN has obtained a harshly-worded letter Jockey Club President and COO Jim Gagliano wrote to Mountaineer Park and the West Virginia Racing Commission in light of the recent dumping of a horse's body that was strewn among garbage in a landfill.
The letter, dated Oct. 18 and addressed to West Virginia Racing Commission Executive Director Joseph Moore and Mountaineer Manager of Racing Operations Jim Colvin, is a clear expression of The Jockey Cub's disapproval of how the matter was handled by the racetrack and the commission.
“I am writing to share the Jockey Club's deep concern over the recent dumping of the remains of the Thoroughbred Bridget Moloney at a West Virginia landfill,” Gagliano wrote. “When a race horse suffers catastrophic injury and loss of life, it is a tragedy. Our dismay is compounded by the disposal of this racehorse's remains in a most callous manner. The photos we have seen show her body lying among a field of trash, evidencing a total disregard for the solemnity this kind of situation demands. Racehorses should always be treated with dignity and respect, and this extends to how their remains are handled after their passing.”
Gagliano, when interviewed Friday morning, said he had not heard back yet from Mountaineer or the West Virginia Racing Commission.
The dumping of the remains of the horse was exposed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which said it was tipped off to the situation by a whistleblower. PETA released photos of the horse at the landfill, which served the purpose of shocking horse lovers in and out of the racing industry. It is not clear yet how the body of the horse wound up where it did.
The Hancock County Sherif's Department launched an investigation and has reached an initial conclusion that there were no grounds to charge anyone involved with animal cruelty or neglect charges. Bridget Moloney (Pollard's Vision) was euthanized after breaking down in a Sept. 25 race at Mountaineer.
In his letter, Gagliano referred to the Bridget Moloney situation as a “travesty.”
“As you know well, the sport of horse racing is (rightly) under the microscope concerning the treatment of our equine athletes,” the letter continues. “This incident only serves to heighten the public's sensitivity to these issues and gives further ammunition to those who wish to see this sport's ultimate demise. Mountaineer Park and the West Virginia Racing Commission are entrusted with protecting the well-being of a large number of Thoroughbreds, and The Jockey Club calls on both organizations to undertake and complete a thorough and transparent investigation into these circumstances and to enact rules and procedures to ensure that such a travesty never happens again.”
The letter also asked Mountaineer and the racing commission to look into the circumstances of a 9-year-old mare named Sophie Got Even (Stephen Got Even), who raced at Mountaineer Oct. 16 after a layoff of more than five years. During her lengthy absence from the track, the mare had been bred and has two foals registered with The Jockey Club. Gagliano wrote that “Her history placed her at significantly increased risk of catastrophic injury.”
When reached by the TDN Friday, Gagliano explained why he felt such a letter was necessary.
“These are times of heightened awareness for this industry,” he said. “Every aspect of it has to look at usual practices and consider are they acceptable? That was the purpose of the letter, pointing out to Mountaineer and the racing commission, are they aware of these things, are they thinking them through and are they thinking about the perception of racing when making decisions and conducting investigations.”
So far as the failure on the part of Mountaineer and the West Virginia Racing Commission to respond, Gagliano said he hopes to still hear from them. He said he understands the letter was received by both parties Monday.
“I'm disappointed they haven't written back,” he said. “I hope they do. We welcome the opportunity to talk to them about this matter and other reforms that we think are important.”
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