Petition: Ban Horse Trainer Who Allegedly Drugged Racehorse

The Kentucky Derby took place on May 1st, with a horse named Medina Spirit emerging as the winner. Since the event, multiple drug tests have confirmed that the horse had a banned drug called betamethasone in his system.

Betamethasone is an anti-inflammatory steroid. Drugging racehorses is sadly not an uncommon occurrence. Drugs are often given to horses to make them run faster for longer without collapsing. As a result, many die from exhaustion or suffer severe injures. Two years ago, at a Southern California Thoroughbred racetrack, around 20 horses were put down over the span of two months. Last year, four horses were euthanized over the span of ten days at the New Orleans Fairgrounds Race Course. In 2020 as a whole, there were hundreds of racehorse injuries and deaths. While not all of these deaths were drug-related, they demonstrate the dangerous and exploitative nature of horseracing for the horses that are forced to participate.

Bob Baffert, the trainer for Medina Spirit, has had other horses test positive for banned drugs during his career. As a result of the confirmed positive drug test, Baffert has been temporarily suspended by the New York Racing Association and Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI).

Baffert has responded to the incident, “I know everybody’s not out to get me, but there’s definitely something wrong. Why is it happening to me? There’s problems in racing, but it’s not Bob Baffert.” He also claimed that Medina Spirit tested positive in the drug test is because an ointment was being used to treat the horse’s dermatitis contained betamethasone. The amount of the drug in Medina Spirit’s system was more than double the allowed amount.

The horse racing industry needs to be put to an end. As we work towards that goal, it’s vital that trainers are held accountable for cruel and irresponsible actions. Sign this petition to demand that the National Thoroughbred Racing Association ban Bob Baffert from ever training another horse!

To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:

• Ban Horse Racing in the U.S.
• Shut Down Parx Racing for its Cruelty to Horses

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Also, don’t forget to download the Food Monster App on iTunes — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy!

Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!