Advocating for Horses in Puerto Rico
Together, Let's Save Lives.
Our Mission
Our mission is to reduce the number of unnecessary and preventable deaths at Camarero Racetrack in Puerto Rico. We are a collective of concerned horse racing enthusiasts, horse lovers, owners, stakeholders, and animal advocates,
and our values are grounded in the belief that every horse matters, and every life is deserving of our protection.Through strategic petitions and impactful campaigns, we drive purposeful change by engaging both governmental bodies and industry influencers.
One of our proudest accomplishments is ensuring humane transportation for racehorses. This success highlights the power of collective action. Guided by empathy, compassion, and inspiration, we invite you to join us in shaping a future where the pursuit of profit does not overshadow the value of life.
Together, we can make a difference.
Share Concerns Directly
We have compiled a list of various sales companies that supply the largest % of horses to Puerto Rico. You can email each individual directly and share your concern.
A Long History of Abuse At Camarero: The Facts
The Other Final Stretch for the Horses at the Hipódromo Camarero
In the shadowy world of Hipódromo Camarero racetrack in Puerto Rico, a tragic story unfolds. Ruler of the Nile, an eight-year-old thoroughbred with a million-dollar promise, now faces a bleak fate due to injuries. Camarero is marred by a grim record of horse injuries, with 108 euthanized in the first five months of this year, mostly due to leg fractures. Trainers' dubious practices and unregulated drug use compound this crisis. This grim scenario extends beyond Puerto Rico, with $500 million generated by horse racing in 2019-2022. Urgent reforms are needed to end this suffering.
Words Fail Me: 180th Race Today
Today, at the hellhole known as Camarero in Puerto Rico, 12-year-old Hipocrates is scheduled to be raced for the 180th time (all at Camarero). I repeat, 180th time. Worse still, over his past 10 races, Hipocrates has finished a combined 342 lengths back – 34 per race. And to be clear, those numbers are not skewed by one or two really bad finishes: He did not come within 20 lengths in any of those 10 races. In the years I’ve been doing this, this is a level of abuse practically unrivaled. They are running this poor boy to his death.
The chief scum here are owner Rock Racing and trainer Maximo Gomez, but equally culpable is the track itself.
Here is the race, Hipcorates is the # 8 horse, you can see him trying his best, yet training the entire race. Absolute Cruelty.
Report: Equine Fatalities At Camarero On The Rise, Largely Due To Fractures
Puerto Rico's Camarero Racetrack has a serious problem with equine fatalities. An English translation of the report indicates that 108 horses were registered as euthanized there between January and May this year, up from 94 the previous year. The report indicated 55% of euthanasia cases in both years were due to fractures in horses' legs.
The report goes on to indicate that at least 675 euthanasias of horses have been reported to racing authorities there since 2021, 379 of which were put down due to fractures.
Tracks Join Rallying Cry to End Cargo Shipping
Bloodstock editor Eric Mitchell, a 21-year employee of BloodHorse, won the 2021 Eclipse Award for news writing with this feature.
American racetracks have started taking a stand against a long-time practice of shipping inexpensive racehorses to Puerto Rico by cargo ship. The often grueling trip many characterize as cruel and inhumane has attracted a growing clamor of protests industrywide, sparked by the brutal death of nine horses during one shipment two years ago.
Dead After 95 Races, 99 Races, 104 Races
Zamarata was bred and initially raced in Florida. She was sold (presumably by her last States’ owner, Ricardo Vallejo) in the winter of ’16 and shipped to Puerto Rico. Race after race after race after race followed. 61 in all. This, after 34 in Florida. Her 95th race came on July 11 of last year. Two days later, according to the report I received, she was euthanized per “doctor’s diagnosis – leg problems.” As if this could be any more vile, this poor girl was, with the exception of her first race, “For Sale” each and every time out. That’s 94 instances where all it would have taken was a “claim” to buy her. Just a thing to be used, a garden-variety Amazon product.
More Articles
The Cruel Killing of 35 Cats at Camarero
WARNING ***GRAPHIC VIDEO*** The plight of racehorses in Puerto Rico
Camarero Racetrack: A Money Machine that Runs on Injured and Abused Horses
Report case of cruelty against animals at Camarero racecourse
Story of Joe Pike Highlights Shortfall in Aftercare
Dark Voyage: Dangers of Cargo Shipping to Puerto Rico
Lawsuit exposes dangers of shipping horses to Puerto Rico on cargo ships.