Churchill Downs and HISA add horse safety initiatives

officials Churchill Downs and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority separately announced additional safety measures for the Louisville, Kentucky, track on June 1 to address a rise in fatal horse accidents.

At least a dozen horses have died there since April 27, prompting veterinarians from HISA, Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to convene a veterinary summit this week and have an independent track evaluation conducted by West Coast track manager Dennis Moore .

The changes from Churchill Downs, announced after a meeting with riders on Thursday, include:

• A break with racetrack-based incentives such as entry bonuses for trainers and purse allocations to every race participant up to the last place. Cash payouts are now restricted to the top five finishers. Churchill Downs is currently in discussions with riders to determine ways to reallocate these funds to best meet the needs of the industry.
• Limiting the number of starts per horse to four during a rolling eight week period.
• Barring criteria for impoverished performance. Horses beaten by more than 12 lengths in five consecutive starts will not be eligible to race at Churchill Downs until the Equine Medical Director has approved their return.

Some of the changes appear to have been made in response to at least some of the dozens of deaths.

Kimberley Dream, for example, euthanized due to injury in the first race at Churchill Downs on May 27, lost each of her previous five races by 14 1/2 lengths or more, including three by 31 lengths or more.

HISA, responsible for safety oversight of Thoroughbred racing in most states, including Kentucky, wrote in a statement that while the summit and investigation into the deaths did not reveal an obvious or specific pattern, it was Churchill Downs' efforts to minimize of the risk of equine deaths and implements the following additional measures:

• Beginning June 3, the Director of Equine Safety and Welfare at HISA will conduct an additional level of follow-up inspection. HISA Rule 2142 (Assessment of Racing Soundness) requires a retrospective review of previous pre-race inspection results of entered horses to identify horses that may be at increased risk of injury. The review includes past performance, layups (more than 60 days without timed training or racing), medical history for the past 30 days, previous injury and lameness diagnosis, intra-articular corticosteroid injections, previous surgeries, and other individual horse risk factors.
• HISA has directed the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit to collect blood and hair samples for all fatal accidents involving covered horses. The results of such collections are used to facilitate investigations into the cause of such deaths. The data collected by HIWU in connection with fatal horse accidents is also used to track relevant statistics and trends.
• HISA has Dr. Alina Vale, an equine forensics specialist, tasked with conducting an additional thorough review of all autopsies performed on covered horses. Vale has performed multiple autopsy examinations as the official veterinarian for the California Horse Racing Board, including participating in the investigation following a spate of fatal horse deaths Santa Anita Park in 2019.

HISA said Moore's analysis of Churchill Downs' racing and training areas, which began May 31, is ongoing and his conclusions will be made public once his review is complete.

HISA pledged to seek further answers to more clearly identify the causes of these recent deaths and take concrete measures to prevent them in the future.

Thursday morning's meeting with riders included a lecture by California-based equine surgeon Dr. Ryan Carpenter, who provided educational information and resources to trainers and practicing veterinarians about advanced interventions that may be considered for certain equine injuries.

“The treating veterinarians and trainers at Churchill Downs are incredibly skilled and well-informed,” said Dr. Will Farmer, equine medical director for Churchill Downs Incorporated. “We are committed to providing the latest surgical information from an expert who experienced the challenges we face today in California several years ago. Any decision must be made with the long-term well-being of the patient first and foremost.” With the horse in mind, it is vital that all available, informed and informed options can be passed on to owners efficiently, safely and thoroughly.

In a National Thoroughbred Racing Association conference call Thursday, trainer Brad Cox said he “listened a lot” during the riders' meeting with Churchill Downs officials. He called the veterinary staff at Churchill a “good team,” led by Farmer.

The deaths at Churchill Downs occurred on the dirt and turf tracks, in racing and during practice. An accident occurred in the paddock. At least three of the fatal horse accidents are not mishaps – the paddock accident and two sudden deaths during or shortly after racing on the turf field.

Cox expressed confidence in the track surface at Churchill Downs and said his horses stationed there were able to avoid earnest injuries this spring.