Each year in America, more than 2,000 horses tragically lose their lives on racetracks. 

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In 2016 alone, approximately 170 deaths were recorded on California tracks. This harrowing toll is the cost of people’s desire to place a $2 bet.

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Despite the image of glamour and tradition often associated with horse racing, the reality is far from attractive. Racetracks are essentially battlegrounds where horses often pay with their lives for our amusement. Can we honestly justify a spectacle in which a horse is immediately euthanized for something as minor as a sprained ankle or a broken leg? These noble creatures are subjected to extreme distress and torture, all in the name of generating profits for their owners and race promoters.

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Why is this so-called “Sport of Kings” still legal?

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In the not-so-distant past, another blood sport - greyhound racing - was deemed legal across most of the United States. As society's awareness evolved, this sport has been rightly identified as cruel and exploitative. Thanks to the tireless efforts of animal advocates, it has now been made illegal in 40 states and counting.

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In a similar vein, horse racing should also be prohibited. Regulatory measures to ameliorate the treatment of horses and decrease their mortality rates prove ineffective as compliance and enforcement are lax. Complicating matters further, the significant financial stakes provide strong incentives to bend the rules on the track and recklessly breed horses for speed, often at the expense of their overall health. The only viable solution is a complete ban on the horse racing industry.

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California has the potential to set a precedent for the rest of the states by becoming the first to enact legislation that prohibits horse racing. We implore you to join our cause and appeal to California lawmakers to outlaw horse racing and wagering on the sport within the state.

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Please sign the petition.