The article highlights the grim reality behind Saratoga Race Course’s reputation as “the oldest sporting venue in the nation,” focusing on the high toll it has taken on horse lives. Since 2009, at least 249 horses have died at Saratoga due to various injuries such as fractures, colic, laminitis, and sudden cardiac events. This number only accounts for reported deaths on-site, excluding those euthanized off-site or sent to slaughter after their racing careers ended, indicating a much larger, unreported scale of suffering.

The yearly breakdown reveals a consistent pattern of fatalities, with deaths ranging from 9 to 21 horses annually, and the trend continuing into 2025. The article underscores that these deaths are just one aspect of the broader ethical issues in horse racing, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and reform in the industry to address the welfare of racehorses.