LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – The death of a ninth horse at Churchill Downs on May 29, 2021, has raised questions about the safety measures in horse racing. Since Late April, Kentucky’s Churchill Downs has seen a total of nine horse fatalities. Swanson Lake, a 3-year-old filly owned by BG Stables and trained by Mike McCarthy, sustained an injury during the sixth race on May 29, and her left hind leg was deemed inoperable. Unfortunately, she had to be euthanized. On the same day, a horse trained by Preakness winner Bob Baffert was also euthanized at a race in Baltimore. Havnameltdown, a three-year-old colt and a Baffert-trained horse, had to be put down after sustaining a fatal injury during an undercard race at the Preakness Stakes.
The horse racing world has been replete with controversies about animal deaths and doping scandals. Four horse deaths within five days before the Kentucky Derby happened, raising significant concerns about the safety of horse racing. Two horses trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. collapsed on the track and died the week before, while two others died from injuries related to racing and training. Furthermore, Wild On Ice, one of the horses that died, was supposed to run in the Derby.
All these incidents prompted Churchill Downs Racetrack to initiate an investigation into the fatalities and pledge to take steps to “eliminate risk to our athletes.” However, the recent horse death in Churchill Downs has drawn comparisons with the 2019 crisis at California’s Santa Anita Park, which saw 42 horses die before reforms could be implemented. A detail reporting requirement on horse injuries and fatalities exists in Critical States, New York and California, but Kentucky has none.
Churchill Downs released a statement stating that the incidents “are a sobering reminder of the urgent need to mobilize our industry…to explore every avenue possible and effectively minimize any avoidable risk in the sport.” It added that the company was “a leader in safety” and had “full confidence” in the track surface. Nonetheless, PETA Senior Vice President, Kathy Guillermo, called for the track to be closed “so stronger protocols could be put in place.”
Animal rights activists have argued that horse racing is an inhumane sport. However, horse racing enthusiasts have argued that not all horses die from racing’s physical impact. Some horses die of age-related issues, while others have to be euthanized because of an inoperable injury. The injuries sustained by horses in competitions like the Kentucky Derby are rare, but they are completely unacceptable when they occur.
The horse racing industry needs to evaluate the situation and identify the root cause of these untimely deaths in Churchill Downs and other tracks across the US. Animal safety measures should be reviewed so that every horse is protected on the track. It is not only humane, but it is also a moral obligation to protect these animals that bring joy to people and contribute significantly to the economy.
In conclusion, the race is on for the horse racing industry to improve safety measures and ensure that animal welfare is prioritized at all times. It is saddening that the deaths of these horses had to happen before these crucial measures were put in place, but it is not too late to do so. Stakeholders must come together and ensure that the safety of jockeys and horses is prioritized in all horse racing events. The horse racing industry has come under scrutiny for a long time, but it is time to turn things around. Nothing less than the lives of these wonderful creatures is at stake.
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