Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby, has suspended racing after 12 horses have died at the track in the last month. The deaths have raised concerns about the safety of horse racing, and Churchill Downs says it is taking steps to address the issue.
The first horse to die at Churchill Downs was a 2-year-old filly named Royal Obsession. She died after breaking her leg during a race on January 14. Since then, 11 other horses have died at the track, including a 3-year-old colt named King Fury, who died after winning a race on April 29.
Churchill Downs has defended its record on horse safety. The track says it has a number of safety measures in place, including strict drug testing and inspections of horses before they race.
“No single factor has been identified as a potential cause and no discernable pattern has been detected to link the fatalities,” Churchill Downs Incorporated said in its statement.
“Even though the investigations and expert reports have indicated no surface issues, CDI has elected to relocate the meet in order to conduct a top-to-bottom review of all safety and surface protocols,” it said.
However, the deaths of the horses have forced Churchill Downs to take action. The track has suspended racing for at least two weeks while it investigates the deaths. It has also hired a new director of racing and a new veterinarian.
The suspension of racing at Churchill Downs is a major blow to the horse racing industry. The Kentucky Derby is one of the most popular sporting events in the United States, and the track is a major economic driver for the city of Louisville.
“It should be a top priority for Churchill Downs and all other tracks to make horse welfare their top priority,” Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action, said in a statement just ahead of the Kentucky Derby in May.
🚨 Churchill Downs to move current meeting to Ellis Park https://t.co/nJBwzTmqVX
— Horse Racing Nation (@HR_Nation) June 2, 2023
