Welcome to the Memorial

View a constellation of Thoroughbreds who once labored for their keep and gave their lives courageously in an extreme sport. On-track fatalities often are hidden from the public, horses forgotten, the global death toll untold. We simply seek to give fallen racehorses the honor they deserve.
World Racehorse MemorialYears 2023–PresentYears 2014–2022
Years 1800–2013
Abbreviations
Track Codes & VenuesRacing Authorities
FAQ & Color Codes
A Historical Document for the Horses
Purpose & Criteria
Suggest a Horse

7/27/2026:The valiant horse Dontdooddson (FR) joins“Oldest Racehorses on the Memorial”(below)

Oldest Racehorses on the Memorial

Fate’s Secret (1992-2016), 24yo bay horse or gelding 

UPDATED 7/27/2026 — Often starting at age 2, some horses endure lifelong racing careers, never to retire before they finally suffer a fatal injury. Currently, eventer Fate’s Secret (USA) is the Memorial’s oldest horse at age 24.

See the horses >>

Most Starts for Racehorses on the Memorial

Kingarvie (CAN) (1943-1955), 12yo chestnut horse 

UPDATED 4/27/2026 — Despite the dangers of racing, some horses perform a high number of starts before suffering a fatal injury. On the Memorial, Queen’s Plate winner Kingarvie (USA) has reigned as our “king of starts” with 169 races. Now Peachey Carnehand (GB) co-reigns with the same number of starts.

See the horses >>

Racehorses’ Lives, Rated by an Algorithm

1/9/2026 — Imagine horses whose entire careers are each symbolized by a single number, determined by an algorithm. More >>

The Rise of Racehorse Advocacy

9/8/2025 — Over the years we’ve seen a rise in published fatality reports across the globe, each attempting to raise public awareness about the ills of horseracing. More >>

U.S. Racing Authorities Change Their Language

UPDATED 7/2/2025 — In 2024, U.S. racing authorities suddenly changed how they present racing and injury/fatality information on public platforms. Why? More >>

Singapore’s Only Racecourse Has Now Closed

UPDATED 10/7/2024 — On October 5, 2024, the city-state’s only racetrack, Singapore Turf Club in Kranji, ran its final 10 races, culminating with the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup (Group 1), won by 6yo gelding Smart Star (AUS). Thus ends the meet and horseracing at this track, leaving behind a 182-year racing legacy, and making way for a housing development. Race Results >>

A Philosophical Look at the Horse Realm

Black Gold (1921-1928), 7yo black horse

After many years of memorializing fallen racehorses, one may wax philosophical about the global tradition of using horses for industrialized sport. More >>

Truth about Horseracing:Deathwatch 2020

3/11/2021 — Read one of the most thorough, sensitive, and truthful reports on the reality of racehorse injuries and fatalities we have ever seen. More >>

“Increased” Death Toll at Racetracks

UPDATED 7/23/2020 — The media is abuzz concerning the supposed increase in racehorse fatalities at certain tracks across the country. More>>

Grand National Cancelled in War Against Pandemic

4/7/2020 — Organizers have cancelled the notorious Grand National steeplechase for 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Not since the two world wars has the tradition ceased since its inception in 1839. More >>

When Racehorses Performed to Empty Stands

UPDATED 4/4/2020 — Due to pandemic, Los Angeles County Health Department suspends live racing at Santa Anita, including Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Santa Anita Oaks (G1), prep races for Kentucky Derby. Updates from Santa Anita >>
3/18/2020 — Santa Anita Park in Southern California is one example of the days when horses raced their hearts out without their fans in attendance. More >>

Nine Racehorses Perish on a Train

2/2/2020 — Today we stumbled upon a clip from an old article about a train collision on June 9, 1891, in Warrenton, Missouri, that took the lives of nine racehorses, and their owner J. Keller and his son. We felt compelled to share their names. See the horses >>

Why Are French Racecourses Underrepresented on the Memorial?

9/11/2019 — The United States and the United Kingdom, and occasionally other countries, publish many of their fatal racing incidents, which is only fair to the horses who gave their lives. Why not France? More>>

Transparency vs. Secrecy about Racehorse Fatalities

UPDATED 7/1/2019 — As of late June 2019, Kentucky Horse Racing Commission now makes racehorse fatality reports public, and we commend the commission for this transparency.

6/10/2019 — Some racing authorities and tracks are open about horseracing deaths. Some aren’t. The latter keep facts confidential to protect the interests, privacy, or competitive advantage of tracks, horse owners, and trainers. More>>

OPINION: The Latest Scapegoat for Horseracing Woes

6/23/2019 — Because there have been 30 fatalities at Santa Anita since the current meet began on 12/26/2018, with four of the horses trained and/or owned by Jerry Hollendorfer, now Hollendorfer is banned from Santa Anita and all other Stronach Group tracks. More>>

Remembering Racehorse Tell Tale Friend

UPDATED 6/12/2017, first published 5/11/2016 — As Tell Tale Friend’s name implies: Fallen racehorses leave traces in our memory yet often are forgotten in the next race. More>>

Russian Visitors to the Memorial

2/18/2017 — We would like to acknowledge an increasing base of Russian visitors to the Memorial, along with many in the UK. Also, whereas France seemed silent in the past, we are seeing a steady flow of French visitors over the last few months. Welcome to all, and thank you for visiting the racehorses.

Del Mar Deaths

12/4/2016 — Four fatal breakdowns in racing occurred on the Del Mar track in one week:
2 on 11/27/2016, 1 on 12/1/2016, and 1 on 12/3/2016. More>>