Vancouver Humane Society protests Hastings horse races after deaths, injuries
Posted September 11, 2024 11:34 am.
Last Updated September 11, 2024 2:15 pm.
The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is asking residents to boycott horseraces after one horse died and another was injured on the same day at Hastings Racecourse.
On Sept. 6, VHS says a 4-year-old horse named Be Sparky was “pulled up lame” by its jockey after a race. Be Sparky was reportedly removed from the track and remains in the trainer’s barn with injury.
Later that night, another 4-year-old horse named Lucky Cowboy suffered a fracture in one of his legs and was euthanized.
VHS says B.C.’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB), which oversees horse racing in the province, has confirmed that Lucky Cowboy makes the third death of the racing season at the racecourse. Another two horses, Lizzie’s Rayne and Kiki’s Song of Life, died in May and August respectively.
The society says 11 horses died last year between B.C.’s two racecourses – of which eight deaths were at the Hastings venue.
VHS Campaign Director Emily Pickett says the last two deaths mark an unacceptable “pattern of suffering.”
“Horses like Lucky Cowboy and Be Sparky are paying the ultimate price for human entertainment, and we cannot stand by while horses continue to die,” said Pickett.
Manager of Racing and Communications for BC Racebook Dawn Lupul, representing the Hastings Racecourse, says her organization is “devastated” whenever a horse dies on the track, but adds, “Fortunately it is a very rare occurrence.”
Lupul says given the hundreds of horses who have visited the course this year, three fatalities is comparably few. She claims they study each incident to discover what they can do better next time.
The Humane Society is asking the public to sign an online pledge, vowing not to attend horse races in protest.
“We are trying to work with the Vancouver Humane Society to help them understand the regulations and procedures that are in place at Hastings Racecourse to keep our equine and human athletes as safe as possible,” said Lupul.
The society says over 2,000 people have signed the pledge as of Wednesday.
