horse racing officials will hold an emergency summit on Tuesday to review the «unusually high number» of deaths at Churchill Downs after two more horses were euthanized over the weekend, bringing the total number of fatalities at the famed racecourse to 12.
The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) issued a statement Monday announcing the emergency meeting and additional steps the organization would take afterward. two more horses were euthanized on Friday and Saturday due to leg injuries sustained during racing at Churchill Downs.
People react while watching a horse race at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
«HISA’s highest priority is the safety and well-being of the horses and jockeys competing under its jurisdiction. We remain deeply concerned by the unusually high number of equine deaths at Churchill Downs in recent weeks,» the statement read.
CHURCHILL DOWNS HORSE DEATH TOLL REACHES 12
«We continue to search for answers and are working diligently with Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) to mitigate any additional risk.»
HISA noted that in addition to investigating each fatality, a second investigation into the racing and training surfaces at the driver’s home The Kentucky Derby it would be led by experienced superintendent of athletics Dennis Moore.
A general view of Churchill Downs prior to the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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Tuesday’s emergency summit will include veterinary teams from Churchill Downs, KHRC and HISA.
Twelve horses have died at Churchill Downs since April 27, when the Kentucky Derby qualifier wild on ice was sacrificed. Seven horses died from training or racing injuries in the week leading up to the race. Two others were euthanized after sustaining injuries on the Derby undercard and two more in the weeks that followed.
Kentucky Derby horse Wild On Ice trains with jockey Ken Tohill on board during a morning workout Thursday, April 27, 2023, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. (MATT STONE – USA TODAY NETWORK)
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Mare Kimberley Dream was euthanized on Saturday after suffering a distal sesamoid ligament rupture in her front leg during a race. Lost in Limbo was euthanized following a similar injury during a race on Friday.
Associated Press contributed to this report.