17 horses die in Saratoga Harness barn fire

An overnight fire at a barn at the harness track in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., has killed 17 horses and has led to the cancellation of racing at the track for at least one day, according to statements from the track.

Pictures of the aftermath of the fire showed a barn that was completely leveled by the fire, which broke out at approximately 2:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, according to the statements. The barn housed 18 horses, but one of the horses “escaped the barn” during the fire and “sustained minor injuries,” according to an updated statement released by the track on Tuesday afternoon.

Trainer Robyn Mangiardi lost 11 horses, the track said, while trainer Timothy Benson lost six horses.

The track said that the fire was contained by local firefighters and that horses in adjacent barns were evacuated. The barn was located near the backside area of Saratoga Race Course, operated by the New York Racing Association.

“The loss suffered today is heartbreaking for our racing community,” said Sam Gerrity, the chief executive officer of Saratoga Casino Hotel. “Our thoughts remain with Robyn, Tim, their teams, the horse owners, and everyone affected by this tragedy. We are deeply grateful to the security personnel, first responders, and racing staff whose swift actions helped protect the horses and people in the surrounding barns.”

Local publications reported a wide variety of numbers for the casualties on Tuesday morning. The track said in the updated statement that the 17 deaths had been confirmed by racing officials.

The track said that they are working with Saratoga Hospital to make grief counselors available to personnel who were impacted by the loss. The track will hold a memorial service for the horses who perished at a later date.

A spokesperson for the track said the cause of the fire remains under investigation and that the track would release additional details as they emerge.

David O’Rourke, the chief executive of NYRA, said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon that the association “stands ready to support our neighbors at Saratoga Hotel Casino with any assistance they may need.”

“Horse racing in New York is a community of hard-working people linked together by a shared commitment to the horses,” said O’Rourke. “This morning’s tragic fire . . . will have a profound impact on that community, and NYRA extends our condolences to all those affected by this loss.”

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