The fatal breakdowns of seven horses at Woodbine since November 9, six in races, has left horsepeople and racing fans shaken and several jockeys out of action with injuries.
On Friday, in the day’s first race, the two-year-old gelding Mad Chatter (Society’s Chairman) suffered a fatal breakdown in early stretch, tossing Skye Chernetz to the Tapeta surface. Chernetz did not return to ride for the remainder of the day. Following Mad Chatter’s breakdown, there was a delay of some 30 minutes as the AGCO stewards had discussions with riders, Woodbine and the HBPA. The second race did go, followed by another delay before the remainder of the eight-race card continued. The AGCO’s Senior Steward’s Report did not make mention of this delay.
Mad Chatter, who was making his eighth career start for James Everatt and Arika Everatt-Meeuse and trainer Dave Cotey, was the sixth horse to have a fatal injury in a race during five racing days.
On Thursday, after a three-day racing break, the two-year-old filly Speight Rasees (Qurbaan), making her second career start, broke down in early stretch and jockey Jason Hoyte fell hard to the ground. The first-time starter Danish Cookie fell over Speight Rasees and lost rider Jeffrey Alderson. Both Danish Cookie and Alderson were okay. Hoyte did not return Thursday and was off his mounts Friday.
The trouble at Woodbine began on Saturday, November 9 when a horse from the barn of Catherine Day Phillips broke down during training on the Tapeta main track. That afternoon, the promising maiden filly Social Dancer broke down at about the quarter pole and was euthanized. Then, stakes winner Owen’s Tour Guide broke down on the turn and did not survive. Jockey Jose Campos was injured but returned a week later.
Racing was halted with two races remaining on Nov. 9 and the Nov. 10 card was cancelled. The Tapeta surface was scrutinized and worked on by Tapeta Footings and Woodbine track people and it was given the all-clear for racing on Nov. 21.
From accounts by many exercise riders and trainers who exercise their own horses, the Tapeta has been in good condition since the maintenance.
On Nov. 15, the five-year-old gelding Flawless Ruler suffered a fatal breakdown and on Nov. 24 Tuneshi, a three-year-old, broke down early in a race.
The HBPA Ontario issued a notice on Friday for trainers and horsepeople to be vigilant about their horses getting set to race during the final few weeks of the 2024 meeting. The notice asked that horsepeople “be observant, evaluate thoroughly, communicate with vets and adjust as needed.”
The social media backlash was strong as fans and other horsepeople wanted more information about the causes for the breakdowns.
Woodbine has one of the longest meetings in North America. Its Tapeta surface has also proven to be one of the safest tracks in the world. The abrupt change in weather in southern Ontario, however, to below freezing overnight, is significant, as are the lower claiming levels of races offered at Woodbine in the final two months. In addition, typically, horses will have a much shorter time between races as the season comes to an end.
On Saturday, two of the most important races for Canadian bred two-year-olds, the $250,000 Coronation Futurity and $250,000 Princess Elizabeth, are scheduled.
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