In the wake of 12 horse fatalities at Churchill Downs over five weeks, the meet that hosted the Kentucky Derby in Louisville is being moved to the Ellis Park track in Henderson, Ky., starting June 7.
No single factor has been isolated as a potential cause of the deaths, and there does not seem to be a pattern to them, despite investigations by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.
Diagnostics testing of the racetrack surface has not raised concerns and the experts have concluded that the surface is consistent with prior measurements from Churchill Downs. Even so, in an abundance of caution, and in line with a HISA recommendation, Churchill Downs is relocating the meet in order to conduct a top-to-bottom review of all safety and surface protocols and integrity measures in collaboration and consultation with nationwide experts.
“The team at Churchill Downs takes great pride in our commitment to safety and strives to set the highest standard in racing, consistently going above and beyond the regulations and policies that are required,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs.
“What has happened at our track is deeply upsetting and absolutely unacceptable. Despite our best efforts to identify a cause for the recent horse injuries, and though no issues have been linked to our racing surfaces or environment at Churchill Downs, we need to take more time to conduct a top-to-bottom review of all of the details and circumstances so that we can further strengthen our surface, safety and integrity protocols.”