PETA Decries Treatment of Horse By Freehold Racetrack Driver

FREEHOLD, NJ — PETA is calling for law enforcement to investigate the treatment of a horse, following a race at Freehold Raceway in 2022, the organization says.

PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, obtained documents through a public records request showing that after a race at Freehold Raceway in September 2022, a harness track driver struck the horse named Magazine Theme with a whip and drove him into the exterior wall of a barn.

The matter had a hearing by the New Jersey Racing Commission on Jan. 19 of 2023, with a ruling in November in which the driver was fined and suspended for 180 days.

After the matter came to the organization's attention, PETA said it reviewed the case and now wants law enforcement to pursue a criminal investigation.

"This sounded so distressing, we wanted to know more," said PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo.

Driver Jack Pelling of Cream Ridge was fined and suspended for 180 days, according to Racing Commission records.

PETA on Thursday morning wrote to the Freehold police chief, asking his department to investigate the matter. The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said the matter is not being handled by its office.

The Racing Commission rulings are posted by the state Attorney General's office, and all responses to questions about the Racing Commission come through the Attorney General's office.

According to public documents of the New Jersey Racing Commission, an administrative hearing was conducted on Jan. 19, 2023 about the incident following the 11th race on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, at Freehold Raceway.

Here is part of the ruling by the commission:

"Following the performance in the 11th race at Freehold Raceway on Sept. 17, 2022, Mr. Pelling did strike the horse Magazine Theme with his driving whip while exiting the racetrack and did drive the horse into the exterior wall of the detention building, creating a dangerous situation for the horses and licensees in the paddock area, as well as, disturbing the peace.

"Mr. Pelling failed to conduct himself in a professional and forthright manner following the 11th race and has taken no responsibility or accountability for his actions.

"Also, while in the detention barn, following Race 11 on Sept. 17, 2022 at Freehold Raceway, numerous marks were observed on the rear of the horse Magazine Theme," the Racing Commission record states.

Pelling was found in violation of a whipping rule, disturbing the peace, and conduct detrimental to the sport, the ruling said.

"Having considered aggravating factors and the severity of the incident. . . . , Mr. Pelling is hereby issued a full suspension of his NJRC license for a period of 180 days. The said suspension shall begin Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 through and including Tuesday, May 28, 2024," the record says.

Pelling also must pay a $2,000 fine on or before May 28, 2024.

According to documents, a notice of appeal by Pelling has been filed. Information on the status of the appeal was not immediately available.

Freehold Raceway did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the matter.

Despite the suspension and the fine, PETA believes that the treatment of the horse is a criminal act under New Jersey law, said PETA's Guillermo, who added that the New Jersey horse racing industry receives millions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies each year.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment or abuse in any other way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.