A 4-year-old filly named She’s Quality died following an injury sustained during the Breeders’ Cup at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on November 1, 2025. This incident marks the second fatality at the track within a week, raising concerns about equine safety in racing.
Officials confirmed that She’s Quality suffered a pelvic fracture during the fifth race. The official race chart indicated that she started slowly, fell behind, and was pulled up at the half-mile mark. After her injury, she was transported off the track via equine ambulance. Trainer Jack Davison reported that She’s Quality initially appeared stable after arriving at the San Luis Rey Equine Hospital. Unfortunately, her condition deteriorated overnight, leading to the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her.
She’s Quality had a total of 24 career races, achieving four first-place finishes. In a statement released on Sunday, Breeders’ Cup officials expressed their condolences, stating, “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.”
The tragic incident coincided with ongoing demonstrations by animal advocates, who were already protesting against the sport at the Breeders’ Cup due to the rising number of horse fatalities annually at racetracks across California and beyond.
Just days earlier, another horse, a 5-year-old mare named Esmeray, also died from an injury incurred during Del Mar’s fifth race. Esmeray had 17 races under her belt, with four first-place finishes, according to data from Equibase.
With the loss of She’s Quality, Del Mar has recorded four racehorse fatalities this year due to racing or training injuries. While this figure is significantly lower than the totals reported at other tracks in California, it underscores ongoing concerns regarding the safety of racehorses.
As the industry grapples with these tragedies, the calls for reform and improved safety measures continue to grow, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to ensure the welfare of equine athletes.
