Fire at Saratoga Harness Facility Kills 17 Horses

A fire at a harness racing facility in Saratoga Springs, New York, early Tuesday morning, June 16, 2026, killed 17 horses. The blaze erupted around 2:30 a.m. in a barn on the backstretch of the Saratoga Casino Hotel harness track.

The Saratoga Springs Fire Department reported that upon arrival, the barn was heavily engulfed. Firefighters contained the fire to the single structure, preventing it from spreading to adjacent buildings. No firefighters or civilians were injured.

Of the 18 horses housed in the barn, 17 perished. One horse escaped with minor injuries. The horses belonged to two trainers: Robyn Mangiardi, who lost 11 horses, and Timothy Benson, who lost six. Security personnel from the casino hotel and the nearby Saratoga Race Course, along with emergency responders, worked quickly to evacuate horses from neighboring barns. Approximately 350 horses are typically housed in the backstretch area.

Officials and industry representatives described the incident as a devastating blow. Sam Gerrity, CEO of Saratoga Casino Hotel, called the loss heartbreaking for the racing community. Henry Westbrook, Jr., president of the Saratoga Harness Horsepersons Association, said it was a...