The dying toll over a severe equine virus at Los Alamitos grew to 12, with 5 extra horses euthanized after an outbreak of equine infectious anemia (EIA) within the barn of quarter horse corridor of fame coach Heath Taylor.
The primary horse that was contaminated and euthanized was Bullet Practice V on Sept. 24, in line with the California Horse Racing Board web site. Then six extra horses have been euthanized Oct. 2 and three. All have been quarter horses, that means they wouldn’t be racing at Santa Anita or Del Mar. The 5 who have been euthanized Wednesday additionally have been quarter horses.
There have been six different deaths amongst Taylor’s horses reported at Lone Star Park in Texas. There are six different horses within the Taylor barn who’re underneath quarantine however haven’t examined constructive for the virus and can be monitored.
If a horse assessments constructive for EIA, they are often quarantined for all times or euthanized. It’s expensive to maintain the horse restricted to quarantine alive.
“After EIA was detected among Taylor horses in other states as well, CDFA (California Department of Food and Agriculture) and United States Department of Agriculture initiated epidemiological tracing of the disease,” the California Horse Racing Board stated in an announcement. “As such, all of Taylor’s horses at Los Alamitos were tested by CDFA. Those tests identified two additional positives in the Taylor barn, resulting in their euthanasia. The other horses tested by CDFA have tested negative but six remain in quarantine. The six are identified as ‘close contacts’ while in another state.”
Taylor is taken into account one of many sport’s most prestigious trainers, having received nearly 2,000 races from about 9,000 begins. In an interview with the Paulick Report, Taylor stated he was “absolutely devastated” by the deaths.
Los Alamitos, which runs nearly year-round, has had an irregular quantity of fatalities. The observe additionally has had 5 musculoskeletal deaths this month.
This outbreak has put extra scrutiny on horse racing in Southern California. The game is languishing domestically, with decrease attendance, mutuel deal with and foal crop (variety of horses born).
