A FOIA request to the Arizona Department of Gaming revealed that 19 horses died at Turf Paradise racetrack in the past year, with causes ranging from severe fractures and colic to gastric ulcers and respiratory illnesses. Many of these horses were very young—some just two years old—and several had never even raced, highlighting the physical toll and risks associated with training and racing. The detailed necropsy reports describe traumatic injuries such as comminuted fractures, hemorrhages, and chronic health issues, underscoring the harsh realities behind the sport.

Since 2014, Horseracing Wrongs has documented 454 horse deaths at Arizona tracks, emphasizing the ongoing and significant loss of these sensitive animals for the sake of gambling. The article questions the ethics of continuing such practices, urging reflection on whether the financial incentives justify the suffering and deaths of these horses.