17 Horses Killed in Barn Fire at Saratoga Casino Hotel Harness Track
Officials said 17 horses died and one survived with minor injuries as investigators work to determine what caused the blaze.
- On Tuesday, June 16, a fire at the Saratoga Casino Hotel Harness Track in Saratoga Springs, New York, killed 17 horses and destroyed a backstretch barn at 25 Nelson Ave.
- The blaze ignited around 2:30 a.m. in a barn that had been found compliant by the city in July 2025 and again within the past month, according to state regulators.
- Rescuers saved one horse, but 17 of the 18 animals inside perished; trainer Robyn Mangiardi lost 11 horses and trainer Timothy Benson lost six.
- Racing was canceled Tuesday as the community mourned; Saratoga Casino Hotel CEO Sam Gerrity announced grief counseling resources through Saratoga Hospital for affected trainers and owners.
- The New York State Gaming Commission is reviewing barn safety practices following the tragedy, while the casino is preparing a memorial service to honor the lost horses.
53 Articles
53 Articles
17 racehorses killed in Saratoga Springs barn fire
A fire at Saratoga Casino Hotel's harness racing facility in New York killed 17 racehorses and destroyed the barn they were in.
17 horses killed in barn fire in Saratoga Springs, NY
A fire killed at least 30 horses at a barn on Nelson Avenue used by trainers at the nearby harness track, June 16, 2026, in Saratoga, NY. (Jim Franco/Albany Times Union via Getty Images) (SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.) — Seventeen horses died after a fire broke out in a barn in Saratoga Springs, New York — a city famous for its rich equestrian heritage. The Saratoga Springs Fire Department responded to a structure fire at the Saratoga Casino Hotel harn…
'Horse Person's Worst Nightmare' Leaves 17 Horses Dead
A pre-dawn fire tore through a barn at the Saratoga Casino Hotel Harness Track in Saratoga Springs, NY, early Tuesday, killing 17 horses and injuring one, officials said. The blaze began around 2:30am in the backstretch area, where roughly 350 horses are typically stabled, CBS News reports. No people...
Massive barn blaze kills 17 horses in famous upstate NY racing town: ‘Worst nightmare’
Emergency responders were able to evacuate several horses from nearby buildings, but a total of 17 died in the "advanced fire," the Saratoga Springs Fire Department said in a statement.

Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 79% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium



















