The 149th Kentucky Derby was overshadowed by the deaths of 12 horses in the days before and after the race at the historic track. Two horses died on May 6, 2023, the same day as last year’s race.
The fatal accident occurred at a time when the sport of horse racing traditionally attracts the most attention. But a series of tragic events at Churchill Downs last year left many in tears and raised questions about the safety of the sport.
“You can’t be too safe when it comes to our sport,” said two-time Derby-winning jockey Mike Smith.
The number of U.S. fatalities in 2023 increased slightly from the previous year, according to data tracked by the Equine Injury Database and reported by HISA. According to HISA, there were 1.32 deaths per 1,000 starts last year, up from 1.25 the year before.
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FILE – Mage lead Javier Castellano (third from left) takes first place with the trailing pack during the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville on Saturday, May 6, 2023 You can see it turning the corner. A Kentucky horse death ruined last year’s Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Breeders’ Cup, but officials couldn’t blame a single factor. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
“While we are encouraged by this progress, there is certainly much work to be done,” said Lisa Lazarus, CEO of HISA.
Horses trained by Bob Baffert are banned from running in the Kentucky Derby, according to refereeing rules
An investigation into the deaths of 14 horses at Saratoga in upstate New York last summer did not find a definitive cause of the deaths, although heavy rains may have played a role.
An investigation by Churchill Downs and horse racing’s new governing body, the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), found no common cause for fatalities around the Derby.
Resilience runs on the track during morning training for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 28, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The 2024 Kentucky Derby will be held on May 4th. In response to the fatal crash, Churchill Downs has made several changes to its safety program ahead of Saturday.
This truck has upgraded equipment used to harrow and grade dirt surfaces and enhanced testing to measure safety and consistency. Cushions are measured at locations around the track and checked for moisture content during the race to determine watering schedules.
“The track has changed a lot from what it used to be. There’s more sand now, more base, more cushion,” said Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lucas, who saddles Just Steel in the Derby. “It’s pretty deep. The horses are getting through it well.”
Forever Young runs on the track during morning training for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 28, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Churchill Downs also added veterinarians to help enforce rules and ensure the safety and integrity of horses. Fifteen Kentucky Horse Racing Commission veterans joined the racetrack’s veterinary team this week to observe horses in their stalls before, during and after training, and after they arrive.
Jockeys, trainers, jockeys, racetrack managers and veterinarians are members of the new safety management committee. The committee meets weekly. During the meeting, they discuss their concerns and also provide feedback on areas they think need improvement.
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All horses racing at Churchill Downs are equipped with StrideSAFE biosensors that detect changes in gait, helping to spot irregularities and early signs of potential injury. This racetrack is home to his PET unit for diagnostic imaging, and is only his second such machine permanently installed at a U.S. racetrack.
HISA went into effect in July 2022 and introduced national standards for racetrack safety, replacing the patchwork of regulations in 38 racing states. The company’s anti-doping and drug control program did not begin until late May 2023, after last year’s Derby and Preakness, in which one of trainer Bob Baffert’s horses was injured during the race and had to be euthanized.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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