When a national tragedy happens in the United States, in the moments after we are often met with a common phrase, “Now is not the time for politics. It is the time for thoughts and prayers.” Fast forward to a couple months to the next tragedy and the same utterance can be heard from the same folks in power. Cue the cycle and nothing ever feels like it gets done.
On Travers Day, I had a front row view of racing's most recent tragedy. New York Thunder, about to win his first Grade 1 as a sophomore, went down about a furlong from the finish line. It all at once went from a glorious coronation to a ghastly funeral. Metaphoric? Maybe. Tragic? 100%
But what will stick with me the most is the sound. It was like the crack of a bat at a baseball game. It was deafening. I looked to my father next to me. He wailed, he was in tears almost immediately. Others screamed. I walked up the steps. Pain was everywhere in the stands. Tears; moms being consoled by their own children. I'm not being hyperbolic.
Half an hour later, cue the quotes. “We have to do better. Condolences to the connections. We don't have the answers.”
An hour after that, a blanket of flowers was draped over a deserving Travers Champion in the winner's circle. The show goes on.
I think many will hear my sentiments and think, “This guy just wants to end racing! PETA plant!” The opposite is true. I want it to be my life. I want it to succeed. I want it to be as beautiful as I know it can be. And like many others in my generation whom I'll affectionately call Millennials, what we want is to be heard and what we want is actionable change. For we are in fact the future stakeholders in the sport. So where are the solutions from the current industry leaders?
I'm tired of the empty quotes. It feels as though I'm being handed the keys to a car that's about to break down and it's my problem now.
I am outspoken on Twitter (X? lol) about my need for changes and often highlight some of my ideas. Please feel free to read them and even critique them. In my opinion, I believe it starts with breeding horses who have proven themselves on the racetrack and ends with taking care of them to the fullest extent of which our technology allows.
StrideSafe is actionable change.
On-site PET Scans is actionable change.
Research money for cures for laminitis and other deadly diseases is actionable change.
Running longer, safer distances is actionable change.
Slowing breeze sales so 2-year-olds that are often not even really two years old aren't asked to go under 10 seconds for a crazy sale price is actionable change.
Testing race surfaces weekly is actionable change.
Not putting horses who had career ending injuries on the racetrack into the gene pool is actionable change.
What are some solutions you have? Where are the industry leaders' solutions? And why do I feel like there are some who want no change at all? Enough with the lip service and fear of backlash.
“You have to do better.”
–Ryan Metzger
Owner, breeder, member of NYTHA and NYTB
New York
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