09/06/2025
We are so glad that Peacebreaker is safe! We are thankful that there were so many people and organizations that stepped in, especially the breeder/seller, Canterbury Park, Minnesota Racing Commission and MN HBPA, to keep him safe and secure while the purchase was voided.
Reasonable minds differ on horse racing. Like many disciplines, it has its devoted fans and its detractors.
A few weeks ago, Canterbury Park hosted the annual Thoroughbred yearling sale for Minnesota-bred horses—an exciting day for breeders to showcase their young prospects and for buyers to dream of new partnerships and bright futures.
But with any sale of animals, especially horses sold at very low prices, there is always risk. Horses of all breeds in all kinds of sales that sell for $500 or less can be especially vulnerable to kill buyers.
To mitigate this, Canterbury set a $1,000 minimum bid for yearlings, and the MN Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association worked with the auctioneer to ensure bidders on lower-value horses were known to the community and were prepared to outbid unknown buyers if necessary.
This Old Horse was on hand to offer owners alternatives for horses that did not meet the minimum. Minnesota breeders, veterinarians, and advocates were united in their commitment to safeguard these young horses.
It was a good plan, carefully coordinated. Yet despite everyone’s best efforts, a buyer later identified as having a prior conviction for animal cruelty successfully purchased a two-year-old gelding named Peacebreaker.
Peacebreaker’s sale price exceeded the threshold that we were watching that might put a horse at risk, and despite the safety net, this transaction slipped through in plain sight. The buyer’s criminal history was discovered after the sale.
And then, rather than sending thoughts and prayers and hoping nothing bad would happen, the Minnesota racing industry stepped up.
As a first step, Dr. Camille McArdle, chair of the Minnesota Racing Commission, issued an emergency order prohibiting Peacebreaker’s buyer from removing him from the track, citing the Commission’s legal responsibility to protect the integrity of racing.
Canterbury Park cooperated fully, barring the buyer from the premises. Veterinarians, backside workers, trainers, and horsemen rallied together to ensure that Peacebreaker was safe, cared for, and protected. Negotiations for voiding the sale based on the buyer's animal cruelty convictions are underway.
Concern for Peacebreaker’s welfare spurred the entire Minnesota racing community into action. Waking up this morning in a clean stall with a full belly, the little two-year-old could never know the way he inspired a legion of guardian angels.
He was not protected because of his potential value as a racehorse; he was protected because he is one of 'ours.'
There is still work to be done—loopholes to close, processes to improve—and those efforts are already underway. But today, Peacebreaker is safe, surrounded by those determined to protect his future.
Not one person, not one entity, looked away. And we are proud of them, proud to be counted among them.
As advocates, we have two choices: to stand at the top of the cliff and prevent horses from falling over, or to stand at the bottom and help them up if they do.
Or both.
Love is good.
