Published on: June 19, 2026, 08:19h.
Updated on: June 19, 2026, 08:20h.
- PETA has criticized Saratoga Casino Hotel following a tragic barn fire that resulted in the loss of 17 horses, branding the absence of sprinklers and smoke detectors as “unacceptable.”
- The wooden stable lacked an automatic fire suppression system, and unfortunately, all 17 horses inside perished before firefighters could control the flames.
- Arson is not being investigated as a cause, but the investigation continues amid increasing scrutiny over safety protocols at the casino racetrack.
PETA claims the barn fire at Saratoga Casino Hotel’s harness racetrack that led to the deaths of 17 horses is “unacceptable.”
PETA, which stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has accused Saratoga Casino Hotel of negligence for failing to mandate fire sprinklers in its harness racetrack stables. The early Tuesday morning fire claimed the lives of 17 horses before firefighters could extinguish the flames.
“Seventeen horses were burned alive, and there wasn’t even a single basic smoke detector or sprinkler installed,” stated Kathy Guillermo, the senior vice president of PETA.
Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, PETA is the world’s leading organization dedicated to animal rights, boasting over 10.4 million supporters and members worldwide.
Responsibility Directed at Saratoga
Owned and operated by the Gerrity family, Saratoga Casino Hotel’s patriarch, Joe Gerrity Jr., began acquiring shares in the Saratoga Raceway after returning from World War II in 1945.
Thanks to Gerrity’s connections in Albany, Saratoga became the pioneer racino featuring slot-like video lottery gaming terminals. The management has remained in the family, with sons Daniel in charge until 2021 and Sam Gerrity overseeing operations since then.
The Saratoga racetracks benefit from state subsidies funded by the New York video lottery program, which incorporates eight gaming venues. Approximately 12% of the state’s video gaming tax revenue is allocated to the horse racing and breeding sector to support purses and operations.
PETA has condemned Saratoga for receiving millions in state funding while neglecting the safety of its horses.
“Saratoga Casino Hotel Harness Track receives tens of millions of dollars annually in state subsidies, yet the management has shown a complete lack of action to implement basic fire safety measures. This is not a gray area in regulations; it’s basic common sense. Their negligence is inexcusable,” Guillermo asserted.
Furthermore, PETA stated that “animals are not ours to exploit for entertainment.”
Ongoing Investigation
Currently, there are no updates on what ignited the tragic barn fire along Nelson Avenue, situated at the backstretch of the harness racetrack at Saratoga Casino Hotel. However, officials from Saratoga confirmed that the 70-year-old wooden facility did not feature fire sprinklers or any automated fire suppression systems.
Sam Gerrity described the incident as “heartbreaking.”
Trainer Robyn Mangiardi suffered the loss of 11 horses, while the remaining six belonged to trainer Timothy Benson.
Authorities and fire officials have indicated that they do not suspect arson; instead, potential causes such as dust accumulation, flammable bedding, and dated electrical wiring are considered likely, though no official confirmation has been made public yet.