Los Alamitos Race Course officials announced Monday that they have banned trainer Ramiro Castillo from operating a stable at the track following the deaths of five of his horses over the past six months.
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Track officials said in a statement that two of his horses died racing, while three others died from illnesses.
Castillo could not be reached for comment.
According to the track's statement, Los Alamitos has "revoked stabling, training and racing privileges" from Castilo, effective immediately.
"Los Alamitos came to this decision after investigating facts, meeting with him, discussing the concerns, and deliberating as to all information, before informing Mr. Castillo as such in a manner consistent with legal and fair procedure requirements."
According to the Daily Racing Forum, which first reported the ban, Castillo began training in March after taking over a stable previously operated by Monty Arrossa, who was banned from racing or training at Los Alamitos following positive tests for banned medications in 2024.
Los Alamitos came under scrutiny from the California Horse Racing Board last month following a spate of horse deaths, including three in a single day on Nov. 23.
Days later, the CHRB sent a letter to the track's owners demanding "significant changes to its safety program" or the board would call an emergency meeting to possibly suspend its license.
"The CHRB (both staff and Commissioners) are profoundly concerned about the recent safety record at Los Alamitos, including the alarming catastrophic injuries that occurred this past weekend," CHRB Executive Director Scott Chaney wrote to track President Cathy Allred, wife of owner Ed Allred, in a letter provided to City News Service.
"In fact, the concern is so great that the Chairman has suggested preparing a notice for an emergency Board meeting outlined in CHRB Rule 1435. As you know, this rule was created in the wake of the events of 2019 to give the Board both the authority and flexibility to suspend a track's license quickly based on a safety concern. ... Dr. (Jeff) Blea and I have spoken and plan to call that emergency meeting unless Los Alamitos makes significant changes to its safety program and the injuries decrease precipitously and quickly," the letter continued.
Track officials responded by saying they would meet the requirements, which include holding weekly meetings with state regulators.
"Los Alamitos Race Course management takes the safety and welfare of our equine athletes and humans with paramount urgency and will be implementing every measure listed on the California Horse Racing Board letter received on November 25," the track said in a statement last month.
"As early as Sunday night, November 23, Los Alamitos Race Course management began working with our medical and racing teams on installing even more strict measures and enhanced safety protocols to decrease equine injuries. Animal safety has always been our top priority, and it has become an even greater priority today.
"Track President Cathy Allred has been in contact with CHRB Executive Director C. Scott Chaney and will be part of the weekly meetings with the CHRB staff and Commissioners," the statement continued.
"Changes have been made, and further changes will be made to improve the safety of horses training and racing at Los Alamitos. We thank the California Horse Racing Board for its leadership, and we are prepared to work with their staff as we face this very important moment at Los Alamitos Race Course."
The deaths of three horses on Nov. 23 brought the number of racing fatalities at the Cypress track to 18 this year. Eleven other horses have died at Los Alamitos this year from what the CHRB classifies as "other" causes.
The Cypress track saw 18 horses die from racing or training injuries in 2024.
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