Churchill Downs to suspend races and examine safety measures after 12 horses die

Beginning June 7, Churchill Downs, the race track known for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby, has announced that it will suspend races and examine safety measures as a precaution. Since the “unusual” death of 12 horses at the race track, Churchill had even conducted an inspection and jointly rolled out fresh safety measures with the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority.

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) owns the Louisville-based track. CDI also said that the remaining meets will now be hosted at Ellis Park Racing and Gaming in Henderson, Kentucky. CDI also announced that the transition of Spring Meet races will begin on June 7.

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) CEO Bill Carstanjen called the deaths of the horses “deeply upsetting and absolutely unacceptable”. In a statement, Carstanjen also said that despite their best 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”.


Kentucky Horse Racing Commission representative told WEHT that Churchill Downs requested the move out due to extra precaution. The official also reportedly said that the commission's working with both Churchill Downs and Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority to investigate the deaths.

Earlier, on Friday, PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo expressed ‘relief’ after CDI made the decision to suspend races at Louisville track. Meanwhile, track officials have said that they will continue to investigate the safety measures with horses at Ellis Park. The Spring Meet is slated to continue through July 3.

FAQs:

1. What is CDI?
   Churchill Downs Incorporated
2. What is HISA?
   Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority