Magna Drops the Hammer on Slaughter Houses

Magna Entertainment Corporation will no long associate with those involved with horse slaughter. (AP Image)"]

On Friday October 10, 2008 the Magna Entertainment Corporation (MEC), North America's largest owner and operator of horse racetracks based on revenue, formally adopted a company-wide policy in attempts to promote more humane treatment of the racehorses we know and love.

Based on this new policy, any owner or trainer stabling their horse(s) at a MEC Racetrack who directly or indirectly participates in the transport of a horse from an MEC facility to either a slaughterhouse or an auction house engaged in selling horses for slaughter will be prohibited from having stalls at any MEC facility.

The new policy also applies to any actions related to the transport of a horse from an MEC facility where the ultimate intended result is the horse's slaughter. The MEC will be implementing the new policy at their facilities across the country such as Santa Anita Park (home of the Breeder’s Cup Classic), Pimlico Race Course (Home of the Preakness Stakes), Gulfstream Park, and Laurel Park just to name a few.

"Since the inception of MEC, we have taken care to protect the health and safety of customers, workers, and equine athletes participating in activities at all of our facilities,” Magna Chairman Frank Stronach said in a statement. “The goal of the policy is to forewarn industry participants who participate in the slaughter of racehorses that they are not welcome at any of our facilities across the country. I hope other racetrack owners formally adopt similar policies”.

This policy is not the first of its kind however; In June of this year Suffolk Downs was the first North American track to set in motion a policy of this nature. In fact, as recent as last month, Suffolk Downs officials informed an unnamed Thoroughbred owner that he was no longer welcome at the Boston track after two horses associated with him were discovered at the auction pens at New Holland, Pennsylvania.