“Widespread” Doping Scandal Hits Horse-Racing Industry as 27 People Indicted
Horses suffered “nothing less than abuse” as some of the industry’s most prominent trainers are accused.
Trainers, vets, and other industry workers are among twenty-seven people who have been accused of the widespread doping of racehorses.
The alleged “systematic, international scheme” accuses some of the industry’s most prominent trainers, including Jason Service, who is said to have “doped virtually all horses under his control”.
Among the horses who Service worked with include Maximum Security, who finished first at last year’s Kentucky Derby, and won $10 million last month after winning the inaugural Saudi Cup.
The indictments detail how the types of drugs used on the horses “may cause racehorses to perform beyond their natural abilities, thereby increasing the risk of injuries.” As a result, “what actually happened to the horses amounted to nothing less than abuse," FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. told CNN.
Sweeney explained that the doped horses "experienced cardiac issues, overexertion leading to leg fractures, increased risk of injury and, in some cases, death."
He added, “these men allegedly saw the $100 billion dollar global horse racing industry as their way to get rich at the expense of the animals that were doing all the hard work. Our investigation reveals the cruelty and inhumane treatment these horses suffered all to win a race”.
The international horse racing industry is facing increased scrutiny, as more and more horse deaths continue to happen with little-to-no action to help stop them. Over 5,000 racehorses have died in the US in the past five years. The names, dates, and locations of the dead horses are recorded by the nonprofit organization, Horseracing Wrongs.
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