PARAGALLO OWNER’S LICENSE REVOKED IN 2005
Something is rotten in the state of New York, and it involves the licensing of Thoroughbred owners.
Back in July of 2005, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, which oversees licensing and the rules and regulations of pari-mutuel racing in the Empire State, revoked the owner’s license of Ernie Paragallo for financial irresponsibility. The wealthy New Yorker who in 1996 raced the Kentucky Derby favorite and now leading stallion Unbridled’s Song owed money (reportedly $18,000) to the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton equine hospital, apparently for veterinary work done on one or more of his Thoroughbreds.
But that ruling didn’t appear to slow Paragallo down, whose horses race in the name of Paraneck Stable. Paragallo’s daughters, Jennifer and Kristen, are licensed in New York as the “owners” of Paraneck Stable, which is among the leading owners in New York. Ernie Paragallo is licensed by the SRWB as an “authorized agent.” When I spoke with Paragallo last week about the mares from his Center Brook Farm that were found in a lice infested and malnourished condition at a New York livestock auction’s kill pen, he said he “runs” the stable as an employee of his daughters.
Why, then, does the New York Racing Association’s media guide list Ernie Paragallo’s biography as the owner of Paraneck Stable and everyone associate Ernie as the voice and face of Paraneck? Is this one of those wink-wink nod-nod things where the rules are made to be broken, or least overlooked?
“If I wanted to be licensed I’d have to prove to the board that I’ve satisfied the bill,” Paragallo said.
The University of Pennsylvania isn’t the only business that had to go to extremes to collect money owed by Paragallo. When the SRWB revoked his license, he reportedly owed $500,000 to the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. That bill was said to be paid.
I can say from personal experience that Paragallo (or a business entity he controlled) wasn’t quick to pay for advertising invoices to at least one Thoroughbred trade magazine , either. On at least one occasion, a publication I was affiliated with was forced to hire an attorney and threaten to take legal action to collect money owed on advertising for Paragallo’s stallions.
I wonder if other businesses have had similar problems.
Five years ago, in July 2004, Paragallo announced he was going to sell all of his racing and breeding stock by the end of that year because of unspecified health problems. It’s a shame he didn’t.
Now I know that I’m going to be castigated for that statement by some people in the industry who will be quick to point out all the good things Ernie Paragallo has done: the $1 million given to the NTRA Charities New York Heroes Fund in 2001, the seasons to Unbridled’s Song and other stallions he has donated to charities, and the money he spends in the industry.
Racing does need Thoroughbred owners, and it needs more owners than it currently has. But it needs owners who act responsibly regarding the care and treatment of their horses. Based on what I’ve learned about the horses under Paragallo’s care, at least those at his Center Brook Farm, I don’t believe he fits into that category.
Of course, Paragallo isn’t even licensed as an owner, is he?
Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report
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Tags: center brook farm, ernie paragallo, new bolton, New York Racing Association, new york state racing and wagering board, nyra, nysrwb, paraneck, paraneck stable, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, srwb
April 7th, 2009 at 8:29 am
HOLEE KRAP!!!! What an absolute scuzzbag! Maybe that money spent to NTRA charities would have been better spent feeding and euthanizing those poor horses he just dumped…as he did in the past, evidently.
April 7th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Delaying payment or other obligations is a power play that is older than horse racing. It is a method of showing who is in control of the situation. In the street, it’s “you want this-try and get it..” At another level, it’s,”you’ll get your money when I’m ready to give it to you.”
Apparently Paragallo isn’t that far from the street..
April 7th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Someone needs to grow a pair and get this piece of s&%t out racing once and for all. Sad that no one has the power or jurisdiction to do it.
April 7th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Ray, Your The Best !!!
April 7th, 2009 at 9:00 am
As I stated earlier in the van blog, I was informed never to haul horses for Paragallo as it is a well known fact in NY he does not pay his bills. Sounds like it was good advice! He is a real piece of work, as are the NY racing regulations that seem to be a joke.
Thanks, Mr. Paulick, for your investigative reporting.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:07 am
How interesting that “financial irresponsibility” leads to license revocation, while animal abuse in all the various forms routinely ignored by the racing industry has minor consequences, if any.
I agree completely about the nod-wink nature of Paragallo’s punishment - the various articles I read about him all identify him as a leading NY breeder/owner and he was certainly front and center at Aqueduct last Saturday as the “owner” of Cellar Dweller.
But if he is not in fact the owner of Cellar Dweller or any other horse, including the starved mares he has sent to slaughter, then in addition to prosecuting him for animal cruelty, the NY DA should also prosecute his daughters. They agreed to front for him; let them suffer the consequences.
Whatever good he has done in public, while smiling for the cameras and basking in the glow of good publicity, his private acts of cruelty show him as the scum he is.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:12 am
This is the kind of revelation that makes me want to bang my head against the desk. His license has been revoked so his DAUGHTERS are now the owners?? So Paragallo has been thumbing his nose at the NYSRWB and at the industry as a whole SINCE 2005?
And the NTRA and The Jockey Club - and others - keep saying, “No, no, no - we don’t need a national governing body - one that ACTUALLY MIGHT IMPOSE SANCTIONS - THAT ACTUALLY MIGHT REMOVE HORSES FROM AN OWNER (AND FROM SHAM OWNERS) AND KICK THEM OUT OF RACING PERMANENTLY - BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE ACTUAL RULES/LAWS. We are doing just fine by persuading people to do the right thing for the industry.”
Racing is such a mess …
April 7th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Birds of a feather, David Jacobson also trains for Paragallo,(a leopard doesn’t change his spots,regardless of what the Blood Horse may think)The SPCA might want to visit his farm too,and have a look. He uses the same payment plan as Paragallo,which is not to pay his bills. You’ve got to love NYRA.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Curious why Ray Paulick is the only one who does the leg work to investigate the disfunctional racing industry. Admittedly, these are tough times for the trade press and advertising dollars are shrinking. I’m a retired newspaperman– AP and the old Louisville Times–and am disgusted by the gutless wonders of trade press, much less mainsream print, to the stories and scandals that abound. We won’t get back the good old days but it’s good to see someone digging under the superficial b.s. we get from the trade media.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Read the history of Stock Car Racing. It was a mess in the early days. Then one man’s vision brought it all under the umbrella We now call NASCAR.
WoW. I’m so disgusted by the whole thing.
April 7th, 2009 at 10:08 am
NICE TO SEE THE NTRA AND THE JOCKEY CLUB CHIME IN ON THIS HUH?……NOT!!!! Thats right boys,…. just go hunker down in your cushy offices and wait for it to blow over! Whats a few more Thoroughbreds going to slaughter mean anyway? I also have to point out the fact that the van “driver” who dumped all the mares at the kill pen said “they wouldn’t survive the trip to FL”….but they could survie the trip to the slaughterhouse in Canada??? Yeah, somehow that ride was more fitting for them, right??
April 7th, 2009 at 10:08 am
hey, bada boom, bada bing and a few bucks or favors and the NYRA, the Jockey Club and NYSRWB looks the other way. It’s that “private club” thing that the New York racing franchise contestants used to refer to when discussing New York racing.
April 7th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Ray, how old are Paragallo’s daughters?
He pledged $1 Million to the NY Heroes Fund, BUT how much did he actually donate to it?
Miscreants are generous toward well-chosen charities not only for tax reasons but to buy silence and protection and help clean-up their names.
Hidden ownership is part of the corruption. Horses always end-up paying the price.
Imagine being on the other side of his investment banking… Was he peddling penny stocks like Iavarone?
All dead-beats should have their horses monitored, but racing had no governing body to prevent crime.
April 7th, 2009 at 10:15 am
He not only put those horses at risk he put his own children in the firing line of a legal challenge under animal cruelty charges. His lack of owner’s license has been well known in NY for years. He should have his “agency” revoked as well.
April 7th, 2009 at 10:29 am
NYRA will do NOTHING.
Paragallo’s trainer, John Campo is the BROTHER of NYRA’s Vice President of Racing Operations, PJ CAMPO. They LIKE Paragallo, and CAMPO filling those NYB 7.5 claiming races with Paragallo cripples who run every week and finish up the track.
The ONLY way NYRA will react is if they are legally served by NYSRWB allowing a fraud to race horses at their tracks. The Humane Society should investigate the NYRA slum that is Paranack’s stable.
April 7th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Getnick & Getnick gathered disturbing if not criminal information anonymously, including crimes against horses (I am proud to say that I contributed to that) for months. Then one day, all information gathered by the Getnicks was tossed as the NYRY hired Mr. Getnick as a well paid consultant (or whatever). Is this how the NYRA launders hush money?
April 7th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Sorry, the NYRA hired Mr. Getnick.
April 7th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Every one of those NYRA “execs” are scum…including that fat CEO Haywood who looks like he NEVER missed a meal. Crooks like the rest…
April 7th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Mr. Paulick wrote:
I can say from personal experience that Paragallo (or a business entity he controlled)
wasn’t quick to pay for advertising invoices to at least one Thoroughbred trade magazine , either.
____________________
I’m afraid to ask which magazine that was.
As for the New York State Racing and Wagering board, how frequently do they license people
to serve as “authorized agents”? And what are the perks ?
April 7th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Complete and utter disgust and frustration. Shame on these people. I’ve already written the Thoroughbred Times and Hayward.
I think now I’m going to write my congress people.
April 7th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Ray,
an owner who does not treat horses humanly and in a civilized way should be barred from any track,worldwide.
eugenio colombo
April 7th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Paragallo should be ruled off the Turf. Here we are coming up to the Triple Crown. If nothing is done and he somehow goes free, racing is over. Done. Finished. And so should he be. Scumbag.
April 7th, 2009 at 11:23 am
The horses in residence at the Centerbrook Farm, in the first barn on the left, are in DEPLORABLE condition. After being on the property this weekend, and removing 2 horses, that were later surrendered due to the extensive and expensive rehabilitative care they will require, to recover from their long term neglect, I am appalled. How can someone, who’s horses have earned them over $20 Million Dollars, fail to take care of them. I saw with my own eyes, stall after stall of neglected horses. I took the two I had, and drove them straight to the state police barracks, parked my rig at their front door and filed a police report. It is my deepest hope, that the responsible parties are convicted of animal cruelty.
April 7th, 2009 at 11:35 am
So how much money is Paragallo “donating” to the rescue farm????? Any mention of that?
April 7th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Blessings to you, Ray, for having the guts to shine light on the multitude of dirty little secrets that racing has been harboring for decades.
I dare say that not a single soul should “castigate” you for anything you’ve written here. Paragallo should have put that million towards providing for the proper care and HUMANE retirement of his horses. Incredible…I grow sicker to my stomach each and every day as this story continues to unfold. When I think about all the innocent horses who likely suffered dispicable treatment and a terrifying death in a slaughter plant because of Paragallo and people like him, I just want to scream.
I got my trainers license in 1984. As with many trainers, life was often a financial struggle. Despite the fact that money was often tight, I always made sure that my retiring horses were placed in good homes, or kept them myself. In fact, I still have several of my retired runners including a horse I claimed in the mid-80’s. He is 29 years old now and Ive owned him for 26 years. I can recall times that I lived on boxed mac and cheese and canned soup, but NEVER..EVER have my horses wanted for anything!
I would like to see the Jockey Club implement a strict policy that would require owners to report retiring horses, where they were retired “to”, and strict monetary penalties for those who dont. I would further like to see a new industry group formed strictly to address the humane treatment and retirement of racehorses. This new group could be responsible for auditing owners to make certain that their horses are cared for properly throughout their lives and that they are retired in a responsible and humane manner.
Had a group like this been created decades ago, we wouldnt be up to our eyeballs in the mess we find ourselves in today, and just think of all the horses who would have been spared untold levels of suffering and abuse. This is something we all need to push for before its too late.
April 7th, 2009 at 11:44 am
A few replies are in order: I checked with the NTRA and Ernie Paragallo did indeed make good on his $1 million pledge to the NTRA Charities/New York Heroes Fund. The two daughters of Paragallo who are listed as the licensed owners of Paraneck Stables are in their 20s, according to Ernie Paragallo.
Paragallo has said he will pay the veterinary bills the Another Chance 4 Horses rescue operation incurred after they brought the mares home from the kill pen.
I’d also like to urge those commenting to avoid getting into personal attacks on people (on subjects like their weight; OK, I’m a little sensitive about that one, having a bit of a gut myself). But seriously, let’s focus on the issues that are relevant to these stories without drifting into unnecessary namecalling. These are serious issues that need addressing, and personal attacks and vulgarities don’t help deliver the message that needs to be heard by the decisionmakers in this industry.
Thanks.
April 7th, 2009 at 11:44 am
If a scumbucket like Paragallo can’t pay to feed his horses…who believes he is going to spend any money to help them now?
The ONLY thing Paragallo understands is LEGAL…see how those who he owed money to had to HIRE LAWYERS to GET PAID. The ONLY way Paragallo can be forced into some action is through LEGAL means. I want to see the BILLS for hay and feed that fat liar says he sent to his farm. Is Paragallo going to bambozzle the NYS humane society too?
April 7th, 2009 at 11:44 am
The NYRA are all about “protecting” the horse connections they “control.” It’s hard to even imagine that Assemly member Gary Pretlow and Speaker of the House Shelly Silver are supporting the latest “let NYRA run the VLT’s at Aqueduct” plan. maybe if this happens, they can hire Ernie to help them hide some other problem they don;t want coming to the surface!
April 7th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Ray..I think that Paragallo should be responsible for picking up the entire tab that will be incurred while bringing these mares back to a reasonable level of good health. It is going to cost AC4H a boat-load of money to nurse these horses back to health and continue to care for them until they are adopted. I hope that AC4H is working to bring neglect/abuse charges against Paragallo. That way if found guilty, the courts will likely rule that Paragallo must reimburse the rescue for the full dollar amount spent in rehabilitating the horses. Offering to pay the vet bill is just simply not even remotely sufficient.
April 7th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I am happy to hear Ernie Paragallo is going to pay the expenses of the horses at Another Chance 4 Horses in PA, but what about the 2 horses in the possession of Equine Rescue Resource of New York?
Are they any less neglected or deserving?
What is Mr. Paragallo going to do for the 125+ horses still on his farm?
April 7th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Two things:
1 - I wish the van driver would have just hauled that rig right up to the closest sheriff’s department and unloaded them in the parking lot…or parked the thing and had the deputies come to him. Or that the guy overseeing the horses in the kill pen would have called the cops, but I suppose he figured he has enough problems and the last thing he wanted was to draw attention to his business.
2 - I used to think of Paragallo as one of the two guys who almost ruined Unbridled’s Song by running him in the Derby with bar shoes, ulcers and God only knows what other problems.
Now I’ll think of him as “that guy who starved his horses.”
April 7th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Equine Rescue Resource Inc. has been in touch with the NYS Police and the Columbia Green SPCA on this matter. A formal complaint was filed by Colleen Segarra on Saturday, April 4, 2009. The horses in the care of Equine Rescue Resource Inc. will require alot of time and money to recover from their long term neglect.
We have been diligently staying in touch with the authorities, and it is my understanding there is an investigation. We need to let law enforcement do their job.
Mr. Paragallo needs to realize there many horses that need his attention, not just the 4 that are highly publicized. I hope the barren mares in his barn have grain, hay, water and bedding tonight.
April 7th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Good job!
April 7th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I recently wrote to BRIS to ask if they had a way to track horses by owner rather than by trainer. Here is the reply I received: “That is a product that we would like to offer but, unfortunately, owners don’t have uniform names on their ownership papers so that our program can track them. They run with partners and middle initials and under spouses names, etc. so there is no way for a software to actually track them and get all of their runners included.”
Now … I’m not sure what using your initials or your spouse’s name or your kids’ names as the owner of your racers is all about. Truly, I’m not. But you would think that, in the interest of INTEGRITY, there would be a national rule about owners using one name for all of their horses that are registered with The Jockey Club, wouldn’t you? Oh, wait … that’s right … there aren’t any national rules.
April 7th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
The United States Trotting Association has a fairly decent program set up, called Pathways. Levels of information are available free, comprehensive information is available on a fee basis. When a new rescue comes in, we enter their tattoo and receive information online for free on the the last registered owner, the date of transfer, sire/dam and the hometown of the breeder. For a fee report, I can get address of last owner, reports on all horses owned, performance, and more.
April 7th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
If Paragallo can afford to donate 1 million to the Heroes Fund( BIG TAX DEDUCTION)
HE HAS no EXCUSE FOR STARVING HIS HORSES.
Paragallo is the poster scum for a breeding program gone awry. He breeds and races hundreds of nybreds in cheap claiming races then WAREHOUSES THEM at his farm where he doesn’t PAY to feed them because they are useless to him…disposable.
Paragallo is probably “enjoying the attention” sociopath that he is. He will hide behind a “battery of lawyers” just like he did after his license was revoked. NYRA is as culpable as Paragallo. They know he is a cheat and a fraud but look the other way becasue he fills those races for NYRA’s racing VP PJ Campo.
NYRA would rather make a “big deal” about Mullins and Air Power and hope the Paragallo thing goes away. NYRA execs are no better than Paragallo, and that is the truth.
April 7th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
This is an industry where influence peddling trumps the rules every time and those with the power to end criminal or borderline-criminal activities look the other way depending upon the person(s) involved.
And does anyone wonder why this sport can only draw interest of sports fans and the “general” public for the Kentucky Derby and - if a Triple Crown is on the line - the Belmont Stakes (which totals about five minutes of live product)?
April 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Did we really need this to prove to us what a classless slob scuzbag this piece of crap is????????????????
April 7th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
How lovely that Paragallo is going to cover the expenses for the mares, but why hasn’t he sent some seed money already? I’m almost completely broke this month, but already I’ve sent money to AC4H via Paypal a few days ago. It’s not that hard. If Paragallo were sincere, he would’ve sent or wired at least a little by now. And yes, what about the costs incurred by Equine Resource Resource Inc. and the Illinois Equine Humane Center? These groups shouldn’t be cleaning up the messes of irresponsible TB owners who are over-breeding.
Pay up, Paragallo. Now.
April 7th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Mary #34 The issue with tracking by ownership is mainly partners etc. Last year IEAH didn’t get the Eclipse for owner of the year because stats sent out to voters broke down all their separate partnerships. IEAH, Pompa, and X own Big Brown. IEAH, X and Y owned Laragh etc. They were all attributed to different ownships and this stats didn’t recognize that IEAH was part of the winners of 8 different G1’s.
It’s a flaw in the Equibase system. If I own a horse he’s owned by Sysonby. If we own another together it’s “Mary and Sysonby” and the system doesn’t see any relationship between the two interests. I see horses owned by Mary Smith, bred by Mary J Smith. In most cases folks aren’t being deceptive.
That said, I would like to see a better way to track where horses go. Funny how after the fact people alway show to put the pieces together. Where were they when the horse was on his way “up the river?”
April 7th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Ray, THANK YOU for your integrity in doing the right thing and exposing this piece of oozing, infected, slime.
Keep the pressure on him!!! Maybe someone like NYRA, Jockey Club, NTRA will finally step up and be so embarrassed that they’ll finally have to do something about this hideous, breathing, wart Paragallo.
Shame on them if they don’t. We need to take this story to a national level and just not keep it in our horse publication world. Thank you to Joe Drape of the NY Times for picking up on Ray’s story as well.
April 7th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Lots of noble talk-will they actually get anything done?
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/50085/task-force-sought-on-humane-treatment?id=50085&source=rss
“Task Force Sought on Humane Treatment
Updated: Tuesday, April 7, 2009 11:04 AM
Posted: Tuesday, April 7, 2009 11:04 AM
Edited press release
The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. is proposing a task force that includes the New York Racing Association, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack and the New York State Racing and Wagering Board for the purpose of broadening programs that assist Thoroughbred owners forced with selling their horses while developing a policy that punishes any owner, breeder or trainer that either directly or indirectly contributes to an outcome where a horse is knowingly sent to slaughter. (More at the link). “
April 7th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Re Comment #34.
In the matter of registering Thoroughbred horses - there are NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL rules. The National rules are written by, monitored and enforced by THE JOCKEY CLUB. It monitors and enforces International rules with respect to foreign-bred horses resident in USA/Canada/Puerto Rico.
Monitoring is on a “hit or miss” basis, depending on the first clerk to review the item. That persons knowledge or ignorance determines the process.
Enforcement is on a very selective basis. Core Establishment figures and “Big Owners/Breeders” are handled very gently. All lesser beings are at the mercy of The Club. It has liberty not known even to the President of the USA, because our Courts have ruled it is beyond the reach of our Constitution.
April 7th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I emailed Charlie Hayward yesterday to express my disappointment with this situation. Here is the reply I received today:
Under existing NY statues and racing law, NYRA has no jurisdiction currently in this shocking matter. However, NYRA is owrking with the NY Thoroughbred Breeders, the NY Thoroughbred Horsemen and the State Racing and Wagering Board to come up with rules and new statutory authority where any owner, breeder or trainer who either directly or indirectly (through a third party) sends any horse that raced on a NYRA track to a kill pen will be subject to snactions which could include loss of racing credentials in teh State, exclusion from running any horses at a NYRA track and also be subject to punishment under existing NY statues regarding cruelty to animals and they would be punished to the full extent of these laws.
In addition, these organizations will work with regional retirement organizations such as the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and the Exceller Fund to increase funding and to assist owners in their efforts to find homes for their retired racehorses.
I believe you will see announcments regarding these initiatives in teh very near future.
Thank you for taking the time to write me on this important topic.
Regards,
Charlies Hayward
I emailed back that I thought sanctions also were necessary for those who mistreat their animals, and that it was important to close loopholes such as transfering ownership to relatives.
He immediately replied with this:
I agree with your concerns about closing loopholes and let me assure you that we will be vigilant and very serious in making certain these sanctions/penalties are significant and enforced.
Regards, Charlie Hayward
April 7th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Ernie makes plenty of kale owning Unbridled’s Song. But owners do not have to send mares to that stallion — especially since the offspring can’t win the Kentucky Derby. They go away faster than they arrive this time of year.
April 7th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
So The Blood-Horse has made two small specific acknowledgments of the Paragallo problem albeit indirectly in the second case. While not great, this is better than the TB Times has done.
The BH keeps pleasure/show horse owners apprised of racing world news via thehorse.com. I APPLAUD their wonderful work in facilitating the placement of rescue TBs in caring homes (thank you to Gainesway, too). However, it’s ironic that they do so much to place TBs yet they do little to prevent the need for such placement in the first place. Properly using thehorse.com’s user base could galvanize a lot more people to work towards ending cruelty/neglect/slaughter of TBs. Will the Blood-Horse ever have the guts to take a more proactive stance or are the TB adoptions on thehorse.com simply feel-good PR measures?
April 7th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I hope that “announcement” from Hayward is just more than “spin” control….which I fear it is.
Paragallo has been an unlicensed owner for the last 5 years…NYRA could deny stalls at it’s track to Paragallo IF Hayward wanted.
Surely, Paragallo has already violated Animal Cruelty Laws….as I stated previously the NYRA VP of RACING, PJ Campo is the BROTHER of Paragallo’s trainer. John Campo.
Actions speak lounder than words and we’ll see if NYRA takes any action.
Anyone want to post the odds of that happening?
April 7th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
On PETA’s radar:
http://blog.peta.org/archives/2009/04/ny_breeder_unde.php
Terrible generalizations. That’s the problem-with the racing industry not taking an immediate stand, in PETA’s eyes the racing industry = Paragallo. Consequently a lot of the public believes it.
April 7th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
the latest from NY Times..
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/sports/othersports/07racing.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=print
April 7, 2009
Under Investigation, Paragallo Says Some Horses He Owns Are Underweight
By JOE DRAPE
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is investigating whether Ernie Paragallo, a prominent New York thoroughbred breeder and owner, has neglected and abused horses on his Center Brook Farm.
Ron Perez, the president of the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/S.P.C.A., said investigators had been on the farm in Climax, N.Y., south of Albany, within the past 10 days. He also acknowledged that a woman who had picked up two horses that were malnourished and infected with parasites filed a complaint with the state police on Saturday.
The woman, Colleen Segarra, said she was allowed into a barn where at least 16 other horses showed signs of distress and neglect. She said they had no bedding, like woodchips, and were severely undernourished…”
April 7th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I’d echo most of the 41-comments I’ve just read. And, yes, I agree, Ray - the name calling isn’t going to move us up. However, these are appropriate names for Paragallo (personally, I like “wart” ) and insulting the man is not only deserved, it’s irresistable. Labeling happens when frustration and horror are setting in and before we discover positive recourse. Woulda, shoulda, coulda. The animal welfare issues facing racing are huge. I knew that a long time ago and should have alerted the media….instead, I alerted my employers at Pimlico and attempted to arouse their interest in polishing a tarnished reputation. The public response would be positive, right? So, let’s align with Re-Run and promote racing by CARING ABOUT HORSES! In brief, they didn’t care and could never see the animal as the answer to everything that’s right, and everything that’s wrong, about horse racing. I don’t see salvation for racing until everyone who loves, lives and draws a salary from the business of horse racing, gets on board with horse welfare — that definitely includes track owners!
April 7th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
As I posted on the NYbred website, the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development fund should be given the authority to refuse to issue NYbred registration status to breeders who have been found quilty of any misconduct concerning the welfare of thier horses . The fund visits the farms all year around anyway and they could easily identify those who neglect or abuse thier horses. Of course, there would have to be a set of rules and a protocol to follow, but this would go a long way towards curbing the activities of breeders like Paragallo.Other breed associations do this,mostly dog breeding associations, it would make a statement to the TB industry that we won’t tolerate this in NY State.
April 7th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
The problem is that this will continue as long as there is no pressure on the racing executives. Same situation by owner Ben Warren in California caught several months ago shipping horses to Mexico. He is an over breeder that is responsible for raising 300 horses a year many whom run at the bottom levels and get dumped. He fills races. Paragallo a similar scum. It’s no wonder we cannot sell racing as entertainment. The public is not stupid, they are aware of breakdowns, drugs and slaughter. Until we pressure the tracks and racing jurisdictions to change, racing will continue to decline.
April 7th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
How many further hits can racing take. Mullins and Paragallo in one week. If EP was not an official owner, NYRA clearly was complicit in letting him act as one. They knew better. Their obsession with filling cards led to them coddling guys like him. I can just imagine NYRA running a slots operation as Gary Pretlow suggests. The scandals would be overwhelming the operation within its first week. Paragallo is typical of the enitre industry which encourages overbreeding. You are not seeing much out of The Bloodhorse because it is a breeder mag and the more into production, the happier they are. 34,000 foals a year, with 1/2 not even getting to the races is simply too much. If we want to continue to proliferate meaningless racing in order to justify slots operations, then horses should be protected from the collective greed that they help feed. Makes on think that PETA isn’t that far off of the mark after all.
April 7th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
NYRA should just toss Ernie’s horses off the backside if the horror stories are true and pay for their placement in shelters or retirement facilities. No more task forces, or we’ll take a look at things, or feel good sayings and cliches, just throw the bums out!
I have previously commented on the NYRA as a irresponsible organization. Just imagine if the foxes were allowed to run the VLT henhouse? Almost comical when you think of this possibility.
April 7th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Great comments everyone. I strongly encourage all of you to continue to flood the emails of all these NY breeders assoc. and push, push, push until something is done. They need to realize that there are more people that care about this, than don’t.
I am extremely disappointed in the NTRA. Aren’t they the marketing entity to entice racing participation? Not one response to this and I have entered two entries on Waldrop’s blog, neither of which have been posted.
April 7th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Ray - Thank You for covering this story so extensively. Now the question remains, what can we all do? Is there anything we can do regarding this man and his continued racing at NYRA tracks?
April 7th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
And this doesn’t even cover the past episode where Paragallo flagrantly abused his only competent trainer, Jennifer Pederson - who finally had enough & walked, three-four year ago.
I’m surprised that I’m the only respondent that remembers how badly she was treated.
Ernie may be Belmont’s Bad News, but the fact that he’s given a free pass time & again indicates that the entire NYRA mob respects this guy of guy, & doesn’t object with anyone who operates in accordance with the Paragallo Code:
Do what ever it takes to win.
Fortunately, given his dismal results in the past decade, the only thing he’s accomplished - after spending millions on horses that can’t hit the board in significant races - is having earned the reputation of being the current Biggest Jerk In Racing.
Come to think of it, he’s probably proud of that.
April 7th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
VERY happy to read the press release from the NYSRWB that you posted, Mr. Paulick - they have commenced an investigation into Mr. Paragallo and his NY racing farm. I suspect that your keeping the problem of Mr. Paragallo in the forefront for the last several days may have had a lot to do with the NYSRWB finally deciding today to take action. Thank you very, very much.
April 7th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Working for Paragallo must be stressful.
Trainer Jennifer Pedersen Held in Menacing
By Blood-Horse Staff
Posted: Saturday, September 18, 2004 4:33 PM
New York trainer Jennifer Pedersen was arrested Friday at her Aqueduct barn and charged with third-degree menacing, a misdemeanor, after chasing a former employee with a pitchfork, according to New York police.
Pedersen, who has trained privately for Ernie Paragallo’s Paraneck Stable since 2001, charged former employee Juan Martinez, a groom who now works for another stable, and “stated she was going to kill him,” New York police detective Brian Sessa told the Daily Racing Form.
Pederson, 41, did not strike Martinez with the pitchfork, police said. She was being held Friday evening at the 1096th precinct in Queens pending arraignment.”
April 7th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Thanks for keeping the pressure on!! Ray, can you continue to provide us updates on
the remainder of Paragallo’s horses on the farm and at the racetrack.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
#54 Al, I agree. Basically it’s “We’re forming a committee”. I’ll believe it when I see action taken against Paragallo, and even then I’ll question whether it’s a sign of true reform or whether he’s a sacrifical lamb for publicity’s sake.
So Paragallo, paid for the care of those horses yet?
April 7th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Do you think that Paragallo is the proverbial “tip of the iceberg”? I do. The folks in the front office don’t know - certainly the fans couldn’t know - but if the farm or backstretch is your domain….you KNOW the good guys from the monsters. Some in the latter group are rather insignificant in the industry, while other monsters are big name attractions and certainly “out rank” Paragallo.
Then comes the crew…..where were his employees while the horses suffered day after day? Do they exist? Are they culpable? For sure keep the pressure on!
April 8th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
It looks like the police are in the process of raiding Paragallo’s farm.
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=788327
I hope and pray that the horses will soon be getting the feed and veterinary care that they need.
April 8th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Finally!
April 8th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Thank you, Ray , for your fine reporting and investigation of this mess.
Thank you to every rescue organization who has stepped in to help these poor horses.
Thank you to the authorities who are now finally involved.
I really hope justice is served this time and that the severest sanctions are imposed on anyone who was in any way involved in letting the horses get in the condition they are in.
April 8th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
If it hadn’t been for Ray staying on this like a bulldog with a bone, this would have been swept under the rug like all the other crap. (I believe not banning a trainer for life for cobra venom is sweeping it under the rug.)
April 9th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
If NYRA ruled him off once for financial irresponsibility, maybe it is time to do it again.
If they let this go on with his daughters at the helm, they are putting another nail in
racing’s already partially closed coffin.
April 10th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Ray:
Thanks for your relentless reporting on Paragallo and his horses. And good for the NYRA for promptly ruling him off the grounds. While Jeff Mullins is a nice guy, his egregious violation of the rules is inexcusable. The national media will make this the big story in the run-up to the Kentucky Derby. Mullins should step down as trainer of the probably Derby favorite or be fired by the owners for the good of racing.
I still can’t understand why Midnight Cry Stable, who own Einstein and part-own Curlin, are allowed to be licensed owners in any state. These guys have lost a huge civil suit based on fraud, have lost a criminal trial, have lost their law licenses…but still can race thoroughbreds?
April 10th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Having a criminal record doesnt go against you in racing. But for the fact that this guy already has a record for animal cruelty from 2 years ago, and has now been found to have at least 177 horses on his property , most of wich are skeletons with skin is just disgusting. I hope he goes to jail.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Dear Mr. Paulick,
I just want to thank you and everyone else who is speaking up against this “Despicable Pig” Paragallo! I hope the state of NY can confiscate his farm and everyone of his horses. I hope he chokes on his own gluttonous behavior and believe me when i tell you. He is a SNAKE in the grass and needs to be eradicated from this industry and all others like him.
These animals run their hearts out and make money for these assholes so they can be abused?
It makes me sick and his daughters are just as stupid to put up with his antics. Thats a F%&$*# joke! his daughters don’t even know how to walk a horse never mind train one!!! I wonder what he promised them they should all go ask the exwife where Unbridled Songs stud fees went? It certainly did not go on those animals. Can’t the authorities see whats happening? My god what is it going to take? What about Taylor Made where Unbridled Song stands, this is surely giving them a black eye but US makes too much money for the boys for them to have any balls to stand up to ParaPIG! I know these characters very well and know the animals and it’s a damn shame that these horses got treated like this. I hope the SOB gets what is coming to him and be put away in jail in lice infested conditions with no food or water. That would be too good for that SOB. People I implore you - do not believe any of his pleas he is a liar and a Bullshitter from the get go.
a very concerned horse lover
April 27th, 2009 at 10:01 am
How in the world did I miss that?
April 30th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
[...] with the SRWB as being owned by Jennifer and Kristin Paragallo, Ernie Paragallo’s daughters. Paragallo had his owner’s license revoked by the SRWB in 2005 because of financial irresponsibility but he was allowed to retain a license as [...]
May 18th, 2009 at 8:06 am
[...] into the Paragallo family and the roles of the father and the two daughters in Paraneck. Paragallo had his owner’s license revoked in 2005 for financial irresponsibility, but he was allowed to be licensed as authorized agent for the [...]
June 23rd, 2009 at 2:02 am
Can anyone explain that to me in layman’s terms?