A tragic incident unfolded at the Breeders’ Cup on November 1, 2025, when a four-year-old filly named She’s Quality died after sustaining a serious injury during a race at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. This marks the second fatality at the track within a week, raising concerns among animal advocates and racing officials alike.
According to reports, She’s Quality was injured during the fifth race of the day. The official race chart indicated that she started slowly, fell behind, and was subsequently pulled up at the half-mile pole. She was then transported off the track via an equine ambulance. Trainer Jack Davison later confirmed that she had suffered a pelvic fracture and was taken to San Luis Rey Equine Hospital for treatment.
Initially, She’s Quality appeared stable following treatment, but her condition deteriorated overnight. In a heart-wrenching decision, her connections chose to humanely euthanize her. Davison stated, “She received the best possible care and appeared to be stable in the initial hours after. However, her condition declined overnight.”
Impact on the Racing Community
The loss of She’s Quality is felt deeply within the equine sports community. Breeders’ Cup officials expressed their condolences in a statement, saying, “The loss of She’s Quality is deeply felt by all who love and care for equine athletes. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to her connections.”
This incident comes on the heels of the death of another horse, Esmeray, a five-year-old mare who also died from injuries sustained during a race at Del Mar just days earlier. Esmeray had 17 career races with four first-place finishes, according to Equibase. With four racehorses having died this year at Del Mar from racing or training-related injuries, the track’s statistics remain notably lower compared to other California tracks.
A small group of animal advocates were already staging demonstrations at the Breeders’ Cup due to ongoing concerns regarding the safety of horses in racing. The high number of equine fatalities has led to increasing scrutiny of the sport, particularly in California, where such incidents have been frequent.
As the racing community reflects on these tragic events, the focus remains on improving safety measures to protect equine athletes and prevent further losses in the future. The deaths of She’s Quality and Esmeray highlight the urgent need for reform within the sport to ensure the welfare of all participating horses.
