At Least 17 Horses Killed in Fire at Saratoga Springs, NY, Track
The Saratogian, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
(TNS)
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — A fire at the Saratoga Casino Hotel Harness Track has claimed the lives of at least 17 horses.
Tuesday morning, the Saratoga Casino Hotel and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department reported that a fire broke out in a barn located in the backstretch of the harness racetrack at approximately 2:30 a.m. Sarah Burger, Saratoga County Supervisor and Counsel for Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association, who was onsite, confirmed to The Saratogian that the fire had left 17 horses dead, with four rescued.
“This tragic loss is a reminder that this can happen anywhere,” Burger said in a statement. “My heartfelt condolences go out to all impacted. Thank you to all first responders, local and state, for your prompt response. We must work to learn the cause and do everything in our power to ensure this does not happen again.”
The barn, which was on the same side of Nelson Avenue as the casino, was noted in a release to have housed approximately 18 horses and was completely destroyed by the fire. Despite the rapid response of emergency personnel and on-site staff, at least multiple horses perished in the fire.
No human injuries have been reported. Members of the Saratoga Casino Hotel security team acted quickly to rescue several horses from the barn before the fire intensified and became unmanageable. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the appropriate authorities.
“The owners whose horses these were, Robyn Mangiardi and Tim Benson, this is their livelihood; it’s their life. They’re just devastated,” Burger said. “I mean, there’s just no other word to describe it other than just pure devastation; it’s just tragic…the folks here take incredible care of their horses. Something like this can happen anywhere, and sometimes we think it can’t happen to us, but it can, and we need to learn what we can about the cause of this fire and do whatever we can to prevent this from ever happening here again.”
Firefighters responded promptly to the scene and worked to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures. Nelson Avenue was previously closed overnight as the Saratoga Springs Fire Department battled the fire at 25 Nelson Ave., but has since been reopened. Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll, shared Tuesday morning that when SSFD arrived at the scene the fire was still going, but the structure was already collapsed.
“Right now fire investigators are methodically removing the remains of the structure and are working hard to determine the cause and organ of the fire. Both SSFD and SSPD are on scene this morning along with NYS fire investigators as well who will be taking lead of the investigation,” Coll said. “We’re working together collaboratively, there is a unified command, but because it is on state property technically state fire (agencies) will have the lead on it.”
“Our thoughts are with the horse owners, trainers, caretakers, and all those affected by this tragic loss,” John Matarazzo, director of Racing Operations at Saratoga Casino Hotel, said via statement. “We are grateful for the swift actions of our security, nearby NYRA personnel and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department, whose efforts helped save numerous horses and ensured there were no injuries to people on site.”
“This is a sobering day in our industry, a horse person’s worst nightmare,” Henry Westbrook, president of Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association, said in a statement. “We express our deep condolences to all impacted and thank all emergency responders and track workers for their quick response.”
Live harness racing has been cancelled for Tuesday at the track, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
© 2026 The Saratogian, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.. Visit www.saratogian.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.