Churchill Downs moves all races to different track after 12 horse deaths in one month

Churchill Downs will suspend its current thoroughbred meet following the conclusion of races on June 4 to evaluate safety precautions on and off the track. These new measures have been implimented following 12 horse deaths at the famous racetrack in five weeks.

The current meet, which was originally scheduled to run through July 10, will now move to Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky near Evansville, Indiana. In the meantime, the racetrack plans to enact a, “top-to-bottom review of all safety and surface protocols and integrity measures in collaboration and consultation with nationwide experts.”

The racetrack has announced the official changes via press release. Below is the complete list of changes trainers must abide by beginning immediately:

1. A pause of track-based incentives such as trainer start bonuses and purse pay-out allocations to every race finisher through last place. Purse pay-outs will now be limited to the top five finishers. Churchill Downs is engaged in ongoing discussions with horsemen to determine ways to reallocate these funds to best serve industry needs.
2. Restricting the number of starts per horse to four starts during a rolling eight-week period.
3. Ineligibility standards for poor performance. Horses that are beaten by more than 12 lengths in five consecutive starts will be ineligible to race at Churchill Downs until approved by the Equine Medical Director to return.

Seeing an investigation into horse racing’s safety precautions has not been seen on this level since an incident in 2019 where over three dozen horses were euthanized at Santa Anita Park in California.

“The attending veterinarians and trainers at Churchill Downs are incredibly capable and knowledgeable,” said Dr. Will Farmer, Equine Medical Director for Churchill Downs Incorporated, via the press release. “We feel a duty to provide the latest information on surgical interventions from an expert who experienced the challenges in California a few years ago that we currently face today.

“Any decision must be made first and foremost with the long-term well-being of the horse in mind. It is imperative that all available, educated and informed options can be efficiently, confidently and thoroughly relayed to the owners.”

In the days leading up to the 149th Kentucky Derby, eight horses — Rio Moon, Freezing Point, Wild on Ice, Take Charge Briana, Code of Kings, Parent Pride, Chasing Artie and Chloe’s Dream — lost their lives leading up to the Run for the Roses.

Take Charge Briana and Derby entrant Wild On Ice were both euthanized after sustaining injuries while training/racing. Code of Kings broke his neck in a saddling paddock. He was euthanized early on Derby Day. Chloe’s Dream and Freezing Point were ridden by Corey Lanerie on Saturday. Both were forced to veer from the track during their respective races and euthanized following their own injuries.

Parent Pride and Chasing Artie’s cause of euthanization has not been released and is being investigated by the track and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Following the Derby, horses Kimberley Dream, Lost in Limbo and two other horses were euthanized for injuries sustained on the racetrack. Dream and Limbo were euthanized within 24 hours of each other.