The city council in Berkeley, Calif., has written to California Horse Racing Board chairman Gregory Ferraro expressing its concern over horse deaths at Golden Gate Fields and asking the regulatory board to “investigate.” The letter stated that 22 horse deaths have been reported at Golden Gate this year, through Oct. 5. Thoroughbred fatalities during racing and training often are reported in San Francisco media.
The Golden Gate Fields grandstand and racetrack are located in the city of Albany, while the stable area is in Berkeley.
The letter was recommended by Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin and two city council members and approved by the full city council on Oct. 27. The issue was not on the CHRB's agenda for its regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 19, but Golden Gate Fields vice president and general manager, David Duggan, responded to the mayor, explaining that Golden Gate is one of the safest tracks in North America, as measured by catastrophic racing injuries. He also provided information on the extensive safety measures taken by Golden Gate's owner, the Stronach Group, and the CHRB.
“It is no exaggeration to state that the State of California and the Stronach Group race tracks have the most rigorous safety programs and most restrictive medication rules in North America,” Duggan wrote.
The full text of the letters from the Berkeley city council and Duggan follow:
From Berkeley city council:
Dear Chairman Ferraro,
We are writing to express concern over the 22 horse deaths that have been reported at Golden Gate Fields this year, as of October 5th. Golden Gate Fields, located along the border of the Cities of Berkeley and Albany, is the last Thoroughbred racetrack in Northern California and was a popular destination for Bay Area residents before COVID-19 prohibited spectators at the site.
Golden Gate Fields is operated by The Stronach Group, which also operates Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. In 2019, 38 horses died at that location, prompting investigations. In response, The Stronach Group implemented new measures at both sites, such as a ban on race day medications, limiting the use of whips, and installing a new safety rail on the track. While we appreciate efforts undertaken last year by the Stronach Group, the fact that more deaths have occurred this year, compared to 2019, shows that more must be done to address the treatment and welfare of racehorses.
Residents have reached out to our offices to express concern over the situation. We respectfully request the California Horse Racing Board investigate this matter. What is causing the deaths of these horses? What measures can be done to prevent such deaths from occurring? The City of Berkeley has long supported the wellbeing of animals, so hearing of these reports of multiple deaths is alarming. Please keep us informed of any actions you take to ensure the safe treatment and wellbeing of horses at Golden Gate Fields
Sincerely,
The Berkeley City Council
From David Duggan, vice president, general manager Golden Gate Fields
Dear Mayor Arreguin,
We have recently been made aware of your letter on behalf of the Berkeley City Council to the California Horse Racing Board (“CHRB”) and appreciate the opportunity to respond. While we share a common interest in safeguarding our equine and human participants, we feel it is important to point out that Golden Gate is among the safest tracks in North America with catastrophic injury rates in both 2019 and 2020 well below national averages.
Notwithstanding that safety record, we remain proactive in continuously seeking to implement safety and medication reforms developed by our parent company led by Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Dionne Benson, DVM, as well as numerous reforms enacted by the California legislature and the CHRB. We have an onsite veterinary staff led by Dr. Casille Batten that monitors equine safety and health and works with participating trainers and private veterinary practices to develop and implement best practices directed at reducing the rate of injury. It is no exaggeration to state that the State of California and the Stronach Group race tracks have the most rigorous safety programs and most restrictive medication rules in North America.
Moreover, we have recently contributed funds to the University of California at Davis to make available at Golden Gate Fields a Positron Emission Tomography (“PET”) scanner similar to the equipment acquired at Santa Anita in early 2020. PET has proven to be a game changing imaging technology and we look forward to working with the Golden Gate training and veterinary community to take full advantage of this modality.
While the COVID-19 situation makes personal visits difficult we would be happy to take the time to meet with you and city staff along with Dr. Benson and Dr. Batten to review our various safety initiatives. We have a long tradition of good relations with the City of Berkeley, most notably the police and fire departments, and look forward to continuing that cooperative approach.
Sincerely yours,
David Duggan
Vice President, General Manager
Golden Gate Fields
Racing at Golden Gate is currently suspended because of an outbreak of COVID-19 in the stable area.
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