23 horses killed in devastating yard fire
A fire at an equestrian centre has left 23 horses dead.
The blaze caused devastation at racehorse training yard Mercury Equine Center, Lexington, Kentucky, on 18 December.
The fire broke out at around 1.15am.
23 horses died, most of who were yearlings.
One of the horses killed was a three-year-old filly who recently won $100,000 in a stakes race. Another horse was scheduled to race the following day in Ohio.
13 horses were saved from the fire and around 50 horses in other barns were unharmed.
‘They were heroes’
The barn that caught fire had already collapsed when firefighters arrived, according to yard owner Eric Reed.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“While we were waiting, we were in the barn, running in the flames and smoke, saving horses,” he told local press.
“They were heroes, the people who work for me. They went above and beyond what I could even imagine anybody trying to do.”
Mr Reed said it will cost about $1 million (£815,000) to rebuild the barn and another $100,000 to $200,000 (£81,000- £163,000) to replace equipment and feed.
He said he could not put a price on the horses lost.
“I’ll never get this nightmare out of my mind,” he added.
Investigation
The cause of the fire is under investigation by Lexington Fire Department.
“We are looking into every possibility,” said a spokesman from the fire department.
Friends of the Reed family have set up a GoFundMe account to raise money for equipment, such as rugs and headcollars, and care of the surviving horses.
“All funds raised will go towards replacing urgently needed equipment lost, medical needs of the horses, hay and straw,” the page says.
“Thank you very much as any amount will help get these horses the urgent care they need.”
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.