Saratoga Casino Hotel Barn Fire Kills 17 Horses, Investigation Ongoing
Posted on: June 16, 2026, 01:28h.
Last updated on: June 16, 2026, 01:28h.
- At least 17 horses are dead in a barn fire at Saratoga Casino Hotel
- The blaze began around 2:30 am on Tuesday, June 16
- No cause for the fire has yet been identified
A barn fire at the Saratoga Casino Hotel racetrack in Upstate New York resulted in the deaths of at least 17 horses.
The Saratoga Casino Hotel and Saratoga Springs Fire Department put out a joint statement on Tuesday reporting that a fire in a barn located on the backstretch of the harness racetrack broke out at approximately 2:30 am local time, June 16.
The casino racetrack reported that the barn occupied 18 horses at the time of the fire. All but one are confirmed to be dead.
An earlier release from the casino and fire department said only seven horses died. The number, unfortunately, went up as daylight broke.
Firefighters worked diligently to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures. The barn was located at 25 Nelson Avenue, between the Saratoga Standardbred harness oval at the Saratoga Casino Hotel and the nearby historic Saratoga Race Course, a Thoroughbred venue.
Investigation Ongoing
As of this time, the cause of the barn fire remains unknown.
The casino’s statement said the “appropriate authorities” will probe the cause. Harness racing at Saratoga was canceled for the day.
Our thoughts are with the horse owners, trainers, caretakers, and all those affected by this tragic loss. We are grateful for the swift actions of our security, nearby New York Racing Association personnel, and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department, whose efforts helped save numerous horses and ensured there were no injuries to people on site,” said John Matarazzo, director of racing operations at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
The Saratoga Casino Hotel harness racetrack opened in June 1941. The nearby Saratoga Race Horse, where Thoroughbreds race, is significantly older.
The Saratoga Race Course opened in August 1863, as the Civil War waged on several hundred miles south. Saratoga is considered one of the country’s oldest major sporting venues and is the fourth-oldest horse racetrack in the country. The NYRA operates the facility.
Saratoga Casino Hotel is a video lottery casino offering about 1,200 slot-like gaming machines and electronic table games. The casino generated gross gaming revenue of $14.6 million last month.
Saratoga Casino Holdings, which owns and operates Saratoga Casino Hotel and racetrack, recently opened the Happy Valley Casino in State College, Pa.
NY Casino Fires
Tioga Downs Casino Resort, another video lottery facility in Upstate New York, was the site of a tragic barn fire in 2024 that killed 30 horses.
In the Tioga Downs fire, an arsonist was to blame, as 33-year-old Boyd Fenton of Athens, Pa., pleaded guilty to third-degree arson, second-degree assault, and 30 counts of animal cruelty.
Fenton said he had taken drugs and was reportedly hallucinating when he set fire to the barn. Fenton was sentenced to seven to 15 years in a New York State prison, the maximum sentence possible.
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