The Santa Rosa Races at Sonoma County Fair experienced a tragic incident on its opening day as a 3-year-old filly named Danehill Song died after participating in a race.
According to the official race chart, Danehill Song was entered in the 6th race on Thursday. The horse started strong, taking an early lead and maintained a steady pace before falling behind another horse. During the ensuing chase into the stretch, Danehill Song took a bad step.
The California Horse Racing Board reported that the horse was transported by an ambulance from the county fair. Though details on the horse’s injury were not disclosed, the horse racing authority listed the cause of death as “musculoskeletal,” indicating a bone injury.
Animal rights group, Kill Racing Not Horses, released a statement following Danehill Song’s death, stating it is the 47th fatality in California’s 2023 horse racing season, which commenced in December. The group also noted that Danehill Song is the 7th horse to die in state fair races.
The advocates’ statement read, “No legitimate sport would tolerate the deaths of 47 of its athletes in 32 weeks of competition in just 1 state.” This tragic incident adds weight to ongoing debates over the safety and ethics of horse racing.