2-Year-Old Horse Dies At Los Alamitos Race Course

CYPRESS, CA — A two-year-old colt died Tuesday at the Los Alamitos Race Course, the 17th equestrian death at the venue this year, according to the California Horse Racing Board.

It's unclear how Dr Hes Southern, a quarter horse, died. But an animal rights activist group, Kill Racing Not Horses said the horse died while under the care of its trainer. His cause of death is still pending.

Another two-year-old colt, El Vigilante, also died while under a trainer's care back in May. That horse's cause of death was listed as gastrointestinal by the California Horse Racing Board.

Dr Hes Southern last raced in June and competed in only three events this year. Its last race was in New Mexico under a different trainer, according to the activist group.

Kill Racing Not Horses officials believe the two-year-old colt's cause of death may be attributed to having a new trainer, which they say has historically increased the risk of fatal injury in thoroughbred racehorses.

The activist group also cited an independent horse racing publication's report in a statement on social media, saying that research revealed that "A horse that has been in his trainer’s barn for only one month has a 60 percent higher risk of fatal injury than one that’s been with his trainer for four years."