Two of the horses died at Churchill Downs on Saturday after being injured during races and being killed.
In the days leading up to the 2023 Kentucky Derby, seven horses died at Churchill Downs.
Two of the animals died on the day of the famed horse race, Saturday, May 6. The two horses, Chloe’s Dream and Freezing Point, were injured and euthanized on the day of the Kentucky Derby. Chloe’s Dream suffered a right knee fracture at the top of the first bend during Race 2, and Freezing Point suffered a biaxial sesamoid fracture during Race 8.
“In the interest of pursuing the most humane treatment for each horse, the owner, trainer, and private veterinarian, in consultation with a board-certified equine surgeon, made the difficult decision to euthanize,” Churchill Downs, the site of the Kentucky Derby, said in a statement on May 6. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to everyone who knew and loved Chloe’s Dream and Freezing Point.”
Four horses died in the week leading up to the Kentucky Derby, the country’s oldest continually held sporting event. Parents Pride and Chasing Artie died unexpectedly. Saffie Joseph Jr. trained both horses, the causes of which are unknown. The other two horses, Wild on Ice and Take Charge Briana, were euthanized after suffering injuries “from which they could not recover,” according to a Churchill Downs statement.
A fifth horse, Code of Kings, died on April 29 before a race after flipping and breaking his neck, according to the Daily Racing Form.
“While each incident reported has been unique, it is important to note that no discernible pattern in the injuries sustained has been detected,” Churchill Downs said in a statement on May 6. “To ensure the integrity of our track surfaces, industry experts closely monitor them.” To assure their fitness to race, each horse that competes at Churchill Downs must undergo several, extensive veterinarian checks and observations.”
The racetrack will “fully and actively work with the Kentucky Horseracing Commission (KHRC) and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) to thoroughly investigate each incident to determine, to the extent possible, any underlying health or environmental causes and apply those learnings to continue to improve the safety of this sport,” according to a statement from Churchill Downs.
According to Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, the fatalities highlight the need for industry-wide reform.
“Seven was not a lucky number for the horses, as that was the number of horses who died in the run-up to this year’s Kentucky Derby.” Despite this, they ran it,” Block stated in a statement to PEOPLE. “Today, we mourn the tragic deaths of two three-year-old racehorses, Chloe’s Dream and Freezing Point.” Both were euthanized after suffering horrific injuries during races at Churchill Downs.”
“The unacceptable deaths of so many young horses this year surrounding the Kentucky Derby underscores the urgent need for reform to protect the lives of horses, including the immediate and full implementation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, which has been held hostage by some horsemen obstructing the anti-doping provisions.”
According to World Animal Protection, an animal welfare organization, the deaths are the result of the racing industry putting “profit over animals.”
“World Animal Protection, US is deeply saddened and concerned by the increasing number of horse deaths at racetracks worldwide,” World Animal Protection executive director Lindsay Oliver told PEOPLE. “Seven horses have died in pre-Kentucky Derby races at Churchill Downs.” How many horses must perish before action is taken? The deaths of Parents Pride, Chasing Artie, Wild on Ice, Code of Kings, Chloe’s Dream, Freezing Point, and Take Charge Briana demonstrate the importance of addressing the ethical aspects of this so-called’sport.’”
“No horse ever wins the Kentucky Derby,” Oliver continued.
