New York Governor Wants to Lend Nearly Half a Billion Dollars for WHAT?

Published by PETA Staff.
5 min read

Why would education organizations, fiscal policy advocates, human rights activists, and animal rights groups come together to end horse racing subsidies in New York? PETA, a member of the Coalition to End Horse Racing Subsidies, is here to tell you.

New York state props up horse racing with $230 million in subsidies every year. Now, if Gov. Kathy Hochul gets her way, there will be even more state support for the deadly horse racing industry.

Coalition to End Horse Racing Subsidies panel put up about how New York racetracks lead to dead horses

The Recent Scoop on Horse Racing Subsidies in New York

In 2022, key legislators and the Coalition to End Horse Racing Subsidies—which PETA began in 2021—successfully defeated a bill that would have guaranteed that New York state backed a $455 million loan to the racing industry to build a new clubhouse and other renovations at Belmont Park.

If the legislation had passed, the state would have had to pay the lender if the New York Racing Association (NYRA) had defaulted on the loan from a private lender.

Coalition to End Horse Racing Subsidies panel about how New Yorkers overwhelmingly oppose horse racing subsidies

The coalition immediately got in touch with key legislators and defeated that bill. But Gov. Hochul, who doesn’t seem to care that more horses die at Belmont Park than at any other track in New York, has shamefully added an appalling measure to her 2023 budget.

She proposed that the state lend the $455 million directly to NYRA for the Belmont renovation and that the loan would be repaid with state racing subsidies—yes, those very subsidies our bills seek to end. The coalition is meeting with reporters, and critics are speaking out.

Coalition to End Horse Racing Subsidies panel about the Belmont boondoggle in New York

NYRA’s promise that a renovation would mean more jobs and fans is a fantasy: Attendance at Belmont is down a staggering 88% since 1978. The stands are empty. NYRA hasn’t even made enough profit to pay its annual franchise fee to the state in more than a decade.

Coalition to End Horse Racing Subsidies panel about how gobs of New York state money are being given to horse racing rather than helping to fund vital efforts such as hiring additional teachers and supporting educational programs

Hundreds of millions of dollars in state subsidies have failed to make racing popular, and adding another half-billion dollars would be throwing good money after bad. It’s a dying industry.

The Horse Racing Industry Exploits Animals, Taxpayers, and Employees

Horses forced to race face health and injury risks, a life of confinement and physical exhaustion, and often a cruel death once they’re no longer considered profitable. Because they’re made to start training or are already racing while their skeletal structures are still developing, their bodies aren’t suited to the pressures of running on hard tracks at high speeds.

Coalition to End Horse Racing Subsidies panel about how New York horse racing is rife with illegal doping

Many horses are drugged, stressed, injured, and eventually killed at a slaughterhouse.

Although the horses used and abused by this industry endure its cruelest and most direct exploitation, humans are also taken advantage of. About $1 billion in taxpayer funds over the course of four years will be funneled into horse racing in New York alone. This is due to the $3 billion in New York casino revenue supporting that industry and causing the steep increase in subsidies. The state’s residents—not its 11 Thoroughbred and harness tracks—should be the recipients of that massive income.

Coalition to End Horse Racing Subsidies panel about how there are $23 in state support wastefully used for horse racing for every $1 in tax revenue for New York

Additionally, New York must be held accountable for failing to question or verify the horse racing industry’s ridiculous claims regarding its workforce potential and beneficial economic impact.

Coalition to End Horse Racing Subsidies panel about how New York State does not question or verify the jobs or economic impacts claimed by horse racing

On top of that, horse racing’s labor fines—for trainers who steal the wages of their own employees—have hit the millions in the past few years, making it all the more vital to review and end these subsidies.

Coalition to End Horse Racing Subsidies panel about how New York racing's labor fines have totaled millions of dollars in just the last three years

The True Cost Explained by the Coalition to End Horse Racing Subsidies

The coalition is educating legislators, too. Recently, we created damning informational panels that were exhibited at the New York State Capitol in Albany. But horse racing backers were so upset by the facts we presented that they had our exhibit removed.

Coalition to End Horse Racing Subsidies panel about Sweetheart sales tax deal for the wealthy in New York

That didn’t stop us. We printed all the information on the panels and gave a copy to every state assembly member and senator.

Take Action to Help Horses Used in the Racing Industry Now

Please take action below—based on where you live—to urge your representatives to support our bill to end horse racing subsidies in New York.

And don’t miss the concise argument against horse racing subsidies that we printed and had delivered to every legislator in Albany.

Coalition to End Horse Racing Subsidies panel encouraging people to stop billions of dollars in failed New York State support to horse racing

If you reside in New York state, click just below for the best way to make a difference:

If you live outside of New York state, click below:

GET PETA UPDATES
Stay up to date on the latest vegan trends and get breaking animal rights news delivered straight to your inbox!

By submitting this form, you’re acknowledging that you have read and agree to our privacy policy and agree to receive e-mails from us.

Get the Latest Tips—Right in Your Inbox
We’ll e-mail you weekly with the latest in vegan recipes, fashion, and more!

By submitting this form, you’re acknowledging that you have read and agree to our privacy policy and agree to receive e-mails from us.