Hit by an EF-3 tornado on Saturday night, the grandstand was also damaged at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Oklahoma.

© Krissy Bamberg / OQHRA

CLAREMORE, OK–MAY 28, 2020–Will Rogers Downs was in the path of the Claremore tornado on Saturday night. Thankfully, the Thoroughbred meet had ended and only about 200 horses were on the grounds.

They have all been moved to FMT in Tulsa. Several horsemen rode out the storm in campers at the tracks KOA campground. There is a lot of loss and destruction.

Will Rogers Downs and Cherokee Nation Entertainment have been great in helping the horsemen; Fair Meadows Tulsa worked fast to open their barn area early so they could relocate all horses.

L&R Livestock Feed & Supply in Pryor has made extraordinary donations. They have donated feed, alfalfa, and grass hay for the WRD horses at Fair Meadows. Tractor Supply donated shavings, and Mazzios sent pizza for clean-up crews, just to name a few of the ways people have supported.

Damage from an EF-3 tornado on Saturday night left 10 barns heavily damaged at Will Rogers Downs.
© Krissy Bamberg / OQHRA

The Horsemen, both Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred, have shown up in droves to support one another. Many have shown up to haul horses and bed stalls and send donations.

On Sunday, Dr. Clayton McCook brought a team to Fair Meadows from the Oklahoma Large Animal First Responders. Dr. McCook and his team and OHRC vet Dr. Vicki Heidlage treated numerous horses with lacerations and injuries. The loss of three horses and no human life at Will Rogers Downs is an incredible blessing after seeing the destruction.

They have a restoration company that has already begun cleanup. Engineers are onsite assessing structural damages. It is too soon to know what the plans will be going forward. The first priority was ensuring all human and equine injuries were treated and everyone moved to safe locations.

It will take a few days to assess the extent of the damages and know how long the repairs will take. We encourage everyone to be patient, stick to facts and not rumors, and pray for those affected.

The Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association (OQHRA) and the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma (TRAO) have partnered to create a disaster relief fund. CLICK HERE to contribute to the relief effort for horses impacted by this tornado at Will Rogers Downs.

OQHRA will update their horsemen as soon as we know more!