PETA Statement on jockey Roman Chapa Suspension

A five-year suspension for Roman Chapa does not go far enough. He was suspended in 2007 for five years in New Mexico, and it apparently made no difference. The Texas Racing Commission is well aware of Chapa’s 20-year history of using electrical devices as well as other violations. Chapa should not be given even one more opportunity to harm animals and fix races. Texas and all racing jurisdictions should ban him for life, and trainers who know of Chapa’s history, including Scott Blasi, who was caught on video joking about how Chapa hid a buzzer in his mouth, should be questioned and held accountable if they’re found to be complicit.

— PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo