Suffolk Downs has banned five people for violating the East Boston track’s zero-tolerance policy toward horse slaughter.
An owner and four licensed trainers were banished after track officials confirmed that five horses transported from the track in late October or early November were found in a kill pen at a livestock auction company in New Holland, Pennsylvania, several days later.
Racehorse retirement organizations say that horses sold at that auction often are purchased by agents from slaughterhouses.
According to several people familiar with the sequence of events, licensed trainer Pam Pompell approached several other trainers asking for horses who were candidates for retirement.
According to track officials, trainer Wayne Sargent Jr. turned over three horses to Pompell. They were Tiny Target, a three-year old that was winless in 14 career starts; Jimmy the Gov, a six-year old gelding that had been running in bottom-level claiming races; and Arrested Gatorgirl, a five-year old mare who won only two of 27 starts.
On November 3, Suffolk Downs Vice President of Racing Sam Elliot confirmed the five horses were in a slaughter pen in New Holland. He made arrangements to purchase them, paying $2,700. According to track officials, the track split the cost and the shipping fees with the New England HBPA. The horses were sent to a Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation facility in Virginia, where they were quarantined because of exposure to other animals at the auction.
Chip Tuttle, chief operating officer for the track, said Suffolk Downs exercised its right to ban Pompell, Michelson, D'Angelo, LaFleur, and Sargent from the grounds.
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