Kill Racing Not Horses

In yesterday's Public Meeting of the California Horse Racing Board (Wed. 7/8/26), Gail Matthews of Winning Hands Equine Massage Therapy, who has worked in the industry since 1999 (featured on the Del Mar Racing website in September 2025), asked of the Board during Agenda Item 13, Non-Agenda Public Comment:

1. To do something to reduce the recurring horse deaths on the Downhill Turf Course at Santa Anita Park, citing the two that happened during the most recent Meet and others in past years.

2. To Scratch horses who break through the front gate (Starting Gate), since often horses are injured although not immediately apparent, citing one recent example of a horse who had to be euthanized a few days later due to a pelvic fracture.


California Horse Racing Board Meeting Sound Archive is at www.selectstreaming.com/live/chrb/archives.php -- near end of the July 8, 2026, Meeting.

No legitimate sport would tolerate the daily deaths of its athletes as does the worldwide gambling industry. $11Bill annual U.S. Horse Racing wagering handle in 2025, Down 57% from 2003 adj for inflation, & at least 51 tracks closed since 2000. 3 tracks now operating in vs. 9 in 2024. People less & less interested in risking & taking horses' lives for mere gambling.

Hundreds of people will make their way to “where the surf meets the turf” to celebrate the start of horse betting season here in San Diego.
https://fox5sandiego.com/san-diego-guide/things-to-do/del-mar-opening-day-2026/