Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today called on the California Horse Racing Board to suspend racing at Santa Anita Park, where 23 horses have died since December 26, until an investigation is completed.

“The death of a single horse is a tragedy, but as a lifelong lover of horses, I’m appalled that almost two dozen horses have died in just four months,” Senator Feinstein wrote.

“I believe that racing at Santa Anita should be suspended until the cause or causes of these deaths can be fully investigated. I also ask for more information about what the California Horse Racing Board is doing to both investigate this matter and address some of the concerns that these incidents have rightly raised.”

Full text of the letter follows:

April 2, 2019

Mr. Chuck Winner
Chairman, California Horse Racing Board
1010 Hurley Way, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95825

Dear Mr. Winner:

I write today concerning the recent horse deaths at Santa Anita Park. Since December 26th of last year, 23 horses have suffered fatal injuries while racing or training at Santa Anita racetrack. The death of a single horse is a tragedy, but as a lifelong lover of horses, I’m appalled that almost two dozen horses have died in just four months.

I believe that racing at Santa Anita should be suspended until the cause or causes of these deaths can be fully investigated. I also ask for more information about what the California Horse Racing Board is doing to both investigate this matter and address some of the concerns that these incidents have rightly raised.

I understand the Board recently approved measures to strictly limit the use of whips on horses and to phase out the use of race day medications. While these are positive initial steps, please let me know whether the Board is considering other actions that have been proposed by trainers and animal welfare advocates, including the complete elimination of medications such as Lasix and the use of synthetic track surfaces. In your view, would these or other steps be reasonable measures to prevent horse injuries and death?

There is currently legislation pending in Congress (“The Horse Racing Integrity Act of 2019,” HR 1754) that would attempt to address some of the animal welfare concerns with horseracing. I would appreciate your views on this legislation and whether additional provisions should be added to strengthen it. I would also ask that you provide updates as to the investigation and recommended actions stemming from the investigation into the Santa Anita Park racetrack deaths. I look forward to hearing from you on this important matter.

Sincerely,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

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