Exclusive Video: Gruesome Horse Fatality in Champion of Champions; PETA Calls for Racing Suspension at Los Alamitos 

For Immediate Release:
December 14, 2025

Contact:
Alex Payne 202-483-7382

Armed with graphic footage of a four-year-old Quarter Horse’s catastrophic injury during the 2025 Champion of Champions race at the Los Alamitos race track on Saturday, PETA today sent a letter to the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) urging them to suspend all racing and training at Los Alamitos and withdraw any remaining horses formerly trained by Ramiro Castillo from upcoming races.

The disturbing footage—captured in person by PETA—shows the horse, Stanley Cartel, crashing into the racetrack, rolling onto his back, and struggling to stand, revealing a gruesome fracture in his front right leg. He was euthanized on the track. PETA notes that Stanley Cartel was previously trained by Castillo, who was just banned from Los Alamitos following the deaths of five horses he had trained since May.

Less than a month ago, the CHRB threatened to revoke the Los Alamitos racetrack’s license after three Quarter Horses died, all from fatal injuries during timed trials for the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity in November. With the death of Stanley Cartel, 18 horses have now been fatally injured while racing or training at Los Alamitos this year.

Credit: PETA

“Los Alamitos is becoming a horse graveyard as the number of animals fatally injured on its tracks keeps climbing,” says PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo. “PETA urges the CHRB to immediately halt racing at Los Alamitos, thoroughly review its safety protocols, and protect the surviving horses trained by Ramiro Castillo by pulling them from upcoming races and conducting thorough veterinary exams, including CT scans.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to the California Horse Racing Board follows.

December 14, 2025

To: The California Horse Racing Board

Dear Board Members,

I am writing as a California resident and on behalf of PETA’s 700,000 members and supporters in the state to urge you to take emergency measures to protect all horses at Los Alamitos Race Course as well as the horses trained by Ramiro Castillo who was recently banned by the track following the deaths of five horses.

Last night, in race eight at Los Alamitos, the $700,000 Grade 1 Champion of Champions, a four-year-old Quarter Horse named Stanley Cartel sustained a catastrophic injury and was euthanized. Please see this video of the breakdown showing him crashing to the dirt and then struggling up, his off fore (right front leg) dangling.

Castillo’s surviving horses were transferred to other trainers, but they are apparently still at risk, possibly as a result of the methods Castillo used. We ask that you immediately identify Castillo-trained horses, scratch them from upcoming races, and require thorough veterinary examinations, including CT scans. This is essential to protect these vulnerable animals.

We also ask that, as of Monday, December 15, the board suspend all racing and training at Los Alamitos and conduct a comprehensive review of all safety and veterinary protocols. So far this year, 17 horses have died on the track while racing or training. Stanley Cartel is the eighteenth.

We recognize that California has led the nation in implementing practices and regulations to protect horses and we ask that you continue to strengthen this work by taking these crucial steps to prevent more fatalities.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

Kathy Guillermo
Senior Vice President
PETA