Gallagher fined by stewards over pair of rules violations

Trainer Paddy Gallagher has been fined $2,500 by Santa Anita stewards for violations of two rules related to veterinary examinations involving a 2-year-old who sustained an injury in a workout in December 2024 and was later euthanized.

In a complaint issued by California Horse Racing Board investigators in January, Gallagher was cited for not having veterinarians conducted the required two veterinary examinations before the maiden filly Louder resumed training after a layoff of more than 90 days. In addition, Louder was not examined by a veterinarian in the 72 hours prior to a workout in July 2024, the complaint stated.

Louder sustained a severe injury while galloping and could not be saved, according to the racing board.

Gallagher, 69, has won 704 races in his career. This year, he has two wins from 15 starters.

In the past, Gallagher has trained such notable runners as Magical Fantasy, a four-time Grade 1 winner in California in 2008 and Red Lark, winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks in 2020.

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