The Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission issued an Emergency Protective Order placing 171 horses on the Stewards’ List.

© OHRC

By Amanda English

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–APRIL 22, 2026–The Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission announced today that the Board of Stewards has issued an Emergency Protective Order after reviewing evidence, reports, video recordings, veterinary opinions, and other information concerning horses that appeared in extreme distress after racing.

As an immediate protective measure, 171 horses connected to the matter have been placed on the State Stewards’ List and are ineligible to enter or compete until they satisfy the requirements of the Order and are cleared through further written action by the Stewards. Under the Order, affected horses are subject to testing, veterinary examination, record production, and individualized regulatory review before they may be considered for removal from that status.

The Emergency Protective Order states that the Stewards found an abnormal and materially elevated pattern of severe post-race distress among the affected horses, including repeated incidents in which horses were unable to safely leave the track under their own power and required transport from the racing surface. The Order further states that the pattern was repeated, documented, and sufficiently serious to require immediate regulatory intervention.

The Stewards also relied on veterinary opinions from three veterinarians who concluded that the condition shown by the horses was extreme, unusual, not a normal post-race recovery pattern, materially adverse to equine welfare, and inconsistent with the safe and humane participation of such horses in racing absent further investigation and clearance.

“The protection of the horse comes first, and the Commission will act decisively when the facts show a serious threat to equine welfare,” said Interim Executive Director Amanda English. “When horses show signs of extreme distress, we will not look away, we will not minimize it, and we will not wait for another incident before taking action. These emergency measures are designed to protect horses immediately, secure the evidence, and ensure that no horse connected to this matter returns to competition unless and until the Commission is satisfied that it is safe and humane for that horse to race.”

The Order requires mandatory pre-race and out-of-competition testing, mandatory veterinary examinations, immediate post-race examination of any horse showing abnormal recovery or distress, production of veterinary and treatment records, and inspection of relevant barns, stalls, tack rooms, treatment areas, and other enclosure locations. The Order also preserves the Commission’s authority to pursue additional remedies if warranted.

The Commission intends to seek the nomination of a guardian ad litem to conduct an independent investigation concerning the welfare of the affected horses. That step is intended to further protect the horses and ensure that their interests are independently examined as this matter proceeds.

The Emergency Protective Order makes clear that these actions are temporary, protective, and investigative in nature. At the same time, the Order also states that waiting for additional races to occur before acting would unnecessarily expose horses to avoidable risk and would be inconsistent with the Commission’s duty to protect equine welfare and the integrity of racing.

The Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission will continue to use every lawful tool available to protect the health and welfare of horses racing under its jurisdiction and to safeguard the integrity of racing in this state

Amanda English is the Interim Executive Director Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission. For more information, you can email her at Amanda.English@ohrc.ok.gov.

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