Horse Racing Suspended at Churchill Downs After 12 Horses Die
Since the Kentucky Derby, where seven horses lost their lives, an additional five horses have died on the tracks, with animal advocates emphasizing the events as ‘a devastating reminder of the inherent cruelty within the racing industry.’
Churchill Downs has suspended horse racing at the track following the deaths of 12 horses in the past five weeks, the company announced in a statement.
Seven horses suffered fatal injuries during training or racing incidents at Churchill Downs in the lead-up to the 149th Kentucky Derby on May 6, with two of the fatalities occurring during the undercard races. Since then, five more horses, including 7-year-olds Lost in Limbo and Kimberley Dream, have tragically lost their lives.
All racing operations at the Churchill Spring Meet, which runs through July 3, will be transferred to another Churchill Downs-owned racetrack, Ellis Park in Kentucky.
“Churchill Downs must not play Russian roulette with these horses’ lives by simply shifting the problem elsewhere,” said Kathy Guillermo, Senior Vice President for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). “Putting the bullet in a different chamber could have the same lethal outcome.”
Officials from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) have launched an investigation into the deaths at Churchill Downs but have not yet been able to determine a single potential cause or pattern of the fatalities.
Diagnostic reports from the track have not revealed any surface issues with dirt and grass measurements consistent with records from the past years.
As further investigation into the deaths has failed to yield conclusive insights, and HISA remains uncertain about the necessary measures to address the situation, the authority advised Churchill Downs to pause all racing activities on the track.
In a statement, Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen said that despite efforts to identify the cause of the recent horse injuries and “though no issues have been linked to our racing surfaces or environment at Churchill Downs, we need to take more time to conduct a top-to-bottom review of all the details and circumstances so that we can further strengthen our surface, safety and integrity protocols”.
Churchill Downs also announced new initiatives, including an increase in health screenings for racehorses and restricting horses to four starts during a rolling eight-week period. The racetrack will also establish ineligibility standards for horses that finish 12 or more lengths back in five consecutive races. However, animal advocates have expressed concern that officials are not doing enough to help prevent horses from sustaining fatal injuries.
“We are frustrated at the racing industry’s refusal to implement technology that is scientifically and statistically proven to save lives,” said Guillermo. “Until race tracks install synthetic surfaces and utilize CT scanning equipment to detect injuries, among other improvements, they can’t pretend to be mystified by fatalities.”
An average of three horses die on racetracks every single day in the US, according to PETA. Last year alone, a total of 25 horses perished due to catastrophic injuries sustained on Churchill Downs’ tracks alone.
"The tragic loss of life at Churchill Downs is a devastating reminder of the inherent cruelty within the racing industry, where innocent animals are exploited for entertainment, gambling, and profit,” said Elizabeth Novogratz, Executive Director and Founder of the animal advocacy organization, Species Unite. “Churchill Downs, like all other racecourses, continues to put horses at risk of catastrophic injuries and death. It is time to prioritize the welfare of these majestic animals over greed and tradition."
In light of the recent deaths, Species Unite is taking action against horse racing in its home state of New York, by calling on elected officials to stop subsidizing the industry. According to the petition, the horse racing industry in New York receives $230 million in government subsidies every year, despite 91 percent of New Yorkers having no intention of ever attending a horse race.
“The only way to truly protect horses is to end the industry,” reads the petition. “If we make our voices heard, not only can we end a cruel and dying industry, saving the lives of thousands of horses.”
You can take action by signing the Species Unite petition here.
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