Watching this video will give you a punch in the gut. After crossing the finish line in first place at the 2022 Kentucky Derby, winning Thoroughbred Rich Strike was repeatedly hit in the face by a handler who was leading him to the winner’s circle.

If I’m the owner of this long-shot Derby winner, I’m on the track beating this guys ass. #KentuckyDerby #KentuckyDerby2022 #KentuckyDerby148 pic.twitter.com/dSj4lmTQDi

— Don’t Start (@dontstartnuthin) May 7, 2022

The incident was apparently sparked when Rich Strike—who was likely in a frenzy from being whipped and forced to race as fast as he could and then confronting the disorienting commotion of the roaring crowd and bright camera flashes—began biting the outrider and his horse.

Instead of releasing the horse to let him calm down or having the jockey pull on the outside rein to turn his head, outrider Greg Blasi apparently took out his frustration on Rich Strike, aggressively striking him in the face and pulling harshly on his reins several times (which likely caused Rich Strike pain, as horses’ mouths are extremely sensitive). The horse Blasi was riding appeared distressed as well and reared up in an apparent attempt to escape.

Blasi could have prevented some of these issues by wearing chaps and putting protective gear on his horse, as many outriders do. The bites would then not have hurt. There’s no excuse for hitting a horse as he did.

PETA to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission: The Blasi Family Apparently Needs Better Self-Control

If Blasi abused a horse on national television, in front of judges and other jockeys, and seemingly without a moment of hesitation, we have to wonder how he behaves around horses when no one is looking. In a letter to the chief state steward, PETA called for an investigation into the incident and requested a suspension of Blasi. Was he taking his anger out on Rich Strike because the horse had defeated competing racehorse Epicenter? Greg’s brother Scott Blasi works for Epicenter’s trainer, Steve Asmussen.

Apparently, angry outbursts run in the Blasi family: PETA’s 2013 investigation into notorious abuser Steve Asmussen revealed Scott’s frequent fits, and last year, he was fined and suspended for a “physical altercation.”

Winner or Not, Hitting a Horse Is Unacceptable

From jockeys who whip horses to run faster to trainers who pump injury-masking drugs into horses, abuse is typical in the industry. You can help racehorses like Strike Rich by taking action below: