Ruidoso Downs handler recounts saving horses' lives during historic flooding
How to donate to Ruidoso flood victims
KRQE News 13 spoke with handler Pedrio Zubiate, who said dozens of workers risked their lives to rescue the animals. 'There were areas where the water was up to my knees,' said Zubiate.
He said he was working in his stalls Tuesday afternoon when workers received a flash flood warning on their phones. He said his boss told him and the other workers to grab their belongings and rush down to help the horses near the track.'You could see the river that crosses down here. Start to rise, and rise, and rise, and rise. Once it overflowed, we could see horses with water up to their knees. That's when we said, get everything out,' said Zubiate.
Officials say hundreds of homes damaged in Ruidoso flooding
Zubiate said he, along with other workers, didn't hesitate to wade into the water to rescue more than 100 horses. He said that although they were in fear of the rising water and the possibility of a frightened horse hurting them, they couldn't leave the animals to suffer. 'Basically, we wake up with them, we eat with them, sleep with them. The truth is, it's a strong love we have for these animals, and letting them die, it's not an option,' Zubiate said.
When asked if it was worth risking their own lives for the animals, Zubiate said it was an easy decision. 'People think, 'they're just animals.' It's not like that. No, for us, they're family.'
Ruidoso Downs said the floods destroyed jockeys' quarters, timing mechanisms, and other necessary equipment needed to operate horse racing, leading them to cancel the races at the Ruidoso Downs this season. 'Well, it's hard. To start to move everything again. We were already set up here, getting used to the climate and prepping our horses, and now we have to start over again.'
In a press release, Ruidoso Downs said their infield got more than 10 feet of water at the height of the flash flooding, but said no race horses died during the floods. Ruidoso Downs also announced that this year's All American Futurity, Derby, and Oaks will be held at the Albuquerque Downs on Labor Day. They added they're 'confident there will be horse racing again at Ruidoso Downs in 2026.
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