As the Saratoga Race Course kicks off its highly anticipated season, a group of protesters has taken to the streets to voice their concerns about the sport.
Led by organizations such as Horse Racing Wrongs and Western Mass Animal Rights, a group chanted slogans and held signs on Saturday in an effort to shed light on what they believe is a dark side of horse racing by spotlighting the alleged animal cruelty and exploitation associated with the industry.
According to Patrick Battuello, founder and president of Horse Racing Wrongs, their mission is to "connect the dots" for racegoers.
"We're here to make them understand that by entering through those gates, paying the admission fee, betting on the races or even watching them on TV, they are inadvertently supporting animal cruelty and the killing of innocent animals,” Battuello said.
"According to Horse Racing Wrongs, close to 10,000 horses have lost their lives due to various causes, including cardiovascular collapse, pulmonary hemorrhage, blunt-force head trauma, and broken necks since 2014. Activists say the number of fatalities continues to rise year after year."
"For most of the horses racing here at Saratoga and across the country, their fate is equine hell," Battuello said. "Once the racing industry is done exploiting them, they are often sent to slaughterhouses in Canada or Mexico."
Despite facing heckling from some attendees, the protesters remain steadfast in their mission. Sheryl Becker, president of Western Mass Animal Rights Advocates, expressed her concerns about the treatment of racehorses.
"These horses are forced to endure grueling schedules, traveling across the country in cramped stalls," Becker said. "Behind the scenes, they are denied a natural life."
Nicole Arciello, executive director of Horse Racing Wrongs, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the alleged abuse and exploitation of racehorses.
"These horses are subjected to abuse and ultimately killed for the sake of a dollar and entertainment," Arciello stated. "You can enjoy a day outside anywhere, but why not do it without causing harm to animals?"
Paulette Wein, a protester from Massachusetts, expressed her determination to see an end to horse racing.
"Horse racing may not cease in my lifetime, but my goal is to bring about its eventual end,” Wein said. “And I believe it will happen."
Note: This article was updated July 26 to accurately reflect the number of horse deaths reported by Horse Racing Wrongs.