I’m sure these horses were owned by rich Venezuelans. It could be Hugo’s agents trying to send an intimidating message to them.
"The deaths of the horses scheduled to play in Sunday's finals could have cost the team's owner, Venezuelan businessman Victor Vargas, more than $2 million, with each horse estimated to be worth $200,000. However, the player-owner didn't stand to lose much in potential winnings, as purses in the sport played largely for pride rarely top a few thousand dollars. There is no purse in the U.S. Open."