--- title: Tragic Case of Kayseri Spurs Call for Reform in Puerto Rico Horse Racing description: CTA Board Member Changes image: https://news.ctahorse.com/hubfs/Kayseri%20racing%20at%20Camarero.png --- Help save a horse today. Donate Now. [![CTA Logo](https://news.ctahorse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CTA%20Logo.jpg?width=150&height=131&name=CTA%20Logo.jpg "CTA Logo")](https://ctahorse.com) [Start 30-day trial](https://lpd-themes.com/growfast/) [![CTA Logo](https://news.ctahorse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CTA%20Logo.jpg?width=150&height=131&name=CTA%20Logo.jpg "CTA Logo")](https://ctahorse.com) [Start 30-day trial](https://lpd-themes.com/growfast/) # Tragic Case of Kayseri Spurs Call for Reform in Puerto Rico Horse Racing By [Marketing Team](https://news.ctahorse.com/author/marketing-team) Aug 5, 2025 10:42:10 AM 4 Minutes Read **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare 📧 info@ctahorse.com 🌐[www.ctahorse.com](https://www.ctahorse.com/?hsLang=en) --- ### **Tragic Case of Kayseri Spurs Call for Reform in Puerto Rico Horse Racing** **San Juan, Puerto Rico — August 5, 2025** — Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare (CTA) is calling for urgent reform in Puerto Rico’s horse racing industry following the heartbreaking case of the filly **Kayseri**, featured in the *Thoroughbred Daily News* in June 2025. The article, titled *“Suffering in Puerto Rico Is Happening on Our Watch,”* sheds light on her tragic story: 🔗[Read the article here](https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/tag/kayseri/) Kayseri arrived in Puerto Rico by cargo ship from Gulfstream Park in June 2021. Within 30 days, she was entered into a race. “I saw her in the barn area myself, and it was clear she was not in racing condition,” said CTA Executive Director **Kelley Stobie**. In spring 2024, Kayseri was placed on CTA’s watch list after concerned individuals—including her breeder, the **University of Kentucky**—reached out and provided connections to help CTA secure her retirement. Despite these efforts, and even after the **Puerto Rico Racing Commission** shared video footage showing Kayseri visibly lame, Commission veterinarians and security officers deemed her "racing sound," and she continued to compete. In January 2025, Kayseri was euthanized after being diagnosed with advanced degenerative joint disease (DJD) in her left front ankle—the same ankle she was seen limping on in the video six months earlier. The condition had progressed so severely that no joint space remained, leaving her in chronic, untreatable pain. “This was not an accident,” said Stobie. “It was a preventable tragedy. She had a home. We had the support and resources. But instead of being retired, she continued to suffer.” Although equine welfare protocols—such as veterinary inspections and a watch list for at-risk horses—exist in Puerto Rico, enforcement has historically been inconsistent. In response to Kayseri’s death, the **Puerto Rico Racing Commission** has shown a willingness to take meaningful action. CTA acknowledges the Commission’s recent commitments to: - Train staff to better identify lameness and signs of pain - Encourage timely retirement and aftercare as viable options - Send formal notices to owners of watch-listed horses, informing them of CTA’s services and alternatives - Prioritize horses with confirmed retirement offers - Strengthen enforcement and accountability across all welfare protocols “We need everyone—from owners to veterinarians—to take responsibility,” said **Alessandra Hernandez**, CTA President. “Stronger enforcement will help deter decisions to keep horses racing when they should be retired.” CTA is urging racetrack management, horse owner groups, and the Commission to reevaluate current rules and advocate for safeguards that protect horses like Kayseri. “Kayseri’s death must lead to real change,” Stobie added. “The industry must put horse welfare first—not just in words, but in action.” Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare remains committed to collaborating with all stakeholders—regulators, breeders, trainers, and owners—to ensure no more horses suffer due to neglect or inaction. --- **For interviews, images, or more information, please contact:** 📧 info@ctahorse.com 🌐[www.ctahorse.com](https://www.ctahorse.com/?hsLang=en)   **PARA DIVULGACIÓN INMEDIATA** **Contacto:** Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare 📧 info@ctahorse.com 🌐[www.ctahorse.com](https://www.ctahorse.com/?hsLang=en) --- ### **El Trágico Caso de Kayseri Impulsa un Llamado a la Reforma en la Industria Hípica de Puerto Rico** **San Juan, Puerto Rico — 5 de agosto de 2025** — Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare (CTA) hace un llamado urgente a la reforma de la industria hípica de Puerto Rico tras el desgarrador caso de la yegua **Kayseri**, destacado en junio de 2025 por *Thoroughbred Daily News* en el artículo titulado *“Suffering in Puerto Rico Is Happening on Our Watch”* (*“El sufrimiento en Puerto Rico está ocurriendo ante nuestros ojos”*), el cual arroja luz sobre su trágica historia: 🔗[Lea el artículo aquí](https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/tag/kayseri/) Kayseri llegó a Puerto Rico por barco de carga desde Gulfstream Park en junio de 2021. En menos de 30 días, fue inscrita para competir en una carrera. “La vi personalmente en el área de establos, y era evidente que no estaba en condiciones para correr", afirmó Kelley Stobie, directora ejecutiva de CTA. En la primavera de 2024, Kayseri fue incluida en la lista de vigilancia de CTA luego de que varias personas preocupadas —incluido su criador, la **Universidad de Kentucky**— se pusieran en contacto para ayudar a asegurarle un retiro seguro. A pesar de esos esfuerzos, y de que la **Comisión Hípica de Puerto Rico** compartió un video que mostraba a Kayseri visiblemente coja, los veterinarios y oficiales de seguridad de la Comisión determinaron que estaba "apta para competir" y se le permitió seguir corriendo. En enero de 2025, Kayseri fue sacrificada tras ser diagnosticada con una **enfermedad articular degenerativa (DJD)** avanzada en su menudillo delantero izquierdo —la misma articulación en la que se le vio coja en el video seis meses antes. La enfermedad había progresado al punto de que ya no quedaba espacio en la articulación, lo que le causaba un dolor crónico e incurable. “Esto no fue un accidente,” dijo Stobie. “Fue una tragedia prevenible. Ella tenía un hogar. Teníamos el apoyo y los recursos. Pero en lugar de ser retirada, siguió sufriendo.” Aunque existen protocolos de bienestar equino en Puerto Rico —incluyendo inspecciones veterinarias y una lista de vigilancia para caballos en riesgo—, su aplicación ha sido históricamente inconsistente. Tras la muerte de Kayseri, la Comisión Hípica ha mostrado disposición para tomar medidas significativas. CTA reconoce los compromisos recientes de la Comisión para: - Capacitar al personal en la identificación de cojera y signos de dolor, - Fomentar el retiro oportuno y opciones de cuidado post-carrera, - Enviar notificaciones formales a los propietarios de caballos en la lista de vigilancia, informándoles de opciones alternativas y la disponibilidad de CTA, - Dar prioridad a los caballos con ofertas de retiro confirmadas, y - Fortalecer la rendición de cuentas y la aplicación de los protocolos de bienestar. “Necesitamos que todos —desde propietarios hasta veterinarios— asuman su responsabilidad,” dijo **Alessandra Hernández**, presidenta de CTA. “Una aplicación más estricta ayudará a disuadir decisiones que obligan a los caballos a seguir compitiendo cuando deberían retirarse.” CTA solicita a la administración del hipódromo, grupos de propietarios y a la Comisión que revisen las regulaciones actuales y promuevan medidas de protección efectivas. “La muerte de Kayseri debe conducir a un cambio real,” añadió Stobie. “La industria debe poner el bienestar del caballo como prioridad, no solo en palabras, sino en acción.” Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare reafirma su compromiso de colaborar con todas las partes interesadas —reguladores, criadores, entrenadores y propietarios— para que ningún otro caballo sufra por negligencia o inacción. --- **Para entrevistas, imágenes u obtener más información, por favor contacte:** 📧 info@ctahorse.com 🌐[www.ctahorse.com](https://www.ctahorse.com/?hsLang=en)   [![Picture of Marketing Team](https://news.ctahorse.com/hubfs/Available%20for%20Adoption%20(1).png)](https://news.ctahorse.com/author/marketing-team) #### Marketing Team Author ## Recommended For You [![](https://news.ctahorse.com/hubfs/Untitled-3.jpg)](https://news.ctahorse.com/caribbean-thoroughbred-aftercare-reaches-giving-tuesday-goal-to-build-new-stalls-for-retired-racehorses?hsLang=en) 2 Min Read ### [Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare Reaches Giving Tuesday Goal to Build New Stalls for Retired Racehorses](https://news.ctahorse.com/caribbean-thoroughbred-aftercare-reaches-giving-tuesday-goal-to-build-new-stalls-for-retired-racehorses?hsLang=en) [![Picture of Marketing Team](https://news.ctahorse.com/hubfs/Available%20for%20Adoption%20(1).png) Marketing Team Dec 9, 2025 10:21:57 AM](https://news.ctahorse.com/author/marketing-team) [![](https://news.ctahorse.com/hubfs/7330753023111640139.jpg)](https://news.ctahorse.com/caribbean-thoroughbred-aftercare-featured-in-national-hispanic-heritage-month-exhibits-recognized-at-keeneland-library-in-kentucky-and-aiken-racing-hall-of-fame-1761678053824?hsLang=en) 2 Min Read ### [Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare Featured in National Hispanic Heritage Month Exhibits Recognized at Keeneland Library in Kentucky and Aiken Racing Hall of Fame in South Carolina](https://news.ctahorse.com/caribbean-thoroughbred-aftercare-featured-in-national-hispanic-heritage-month-exhibits-recognized-at-keeneland-library-in-kentucky-and-aiken-racing-hall-of-fame-1761678053824?hsLang=en) [![Picture of Marketing Team](https://news.ctahorse.com/hubfs/Available%20for%20Adoption%20(1).png) Marketing Team Oct 28, 2025 3:03:46 PM](https://news.ctahorse.com/author/marketing-team) [![](https://news.ctahorse.com/hubfs/IMG_5233-1.jpg)](https://news.ctahorse.com/caribbean-thoroughbred-aftercares-equine-academy-continues-to-inspire-and-educate-the-next-generation-of-horse-professionals?hsLang=en) 3 Min Read ### [Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare’s Equine Academy Continues to Inspire and Educate the Next Generation of Horse Professionals](https://news.ctahorse.com/caribbean-thoroughbred-aftercares-equine-academy-continues-to-inspire-and-educate-the-next-generation-of-horse-professionals?hsLang=en) [![Picture of Marketing Team](https://news.ctahorse.com/hubfs/Available%20for%20Adoption%20(1).png) Marketing Team Jul 18, 2025 2:40:00 PM](https://news.ctahorse.com/author/marketing-team) CARR 186 KM 26.7 El Verde Rio Grande, Puerto Rico P.O. 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