Seven horses have died at Churchill Downs horse racetrack, home of the Kentucky Derby, during the week leading up to the race. The latest deaths happened on Saturday, with three-year-old Chloe’s Dream and Freezing Point being euthanized following injuries sustained in the races.
Horses Wild on Ice, Take Charge Briana, Parents Pride and Chasing Artie died earlier in the week. According to Daily Racing Form, the 3-year-old horse Code of Kings died after falling and breaking his neck before a race.
Churchill Downs suspended racehorse trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. indefinitely after two of his horses, Parents Pride and Chasing Artie, died under “highly unusual” circumstances.
The horse deaths have raised questions about the welfare and safety of racehorses. Churchill Downs’ senior director of communications, Darren Rogers told CNN that the deceased horses would be taken to the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostics Lab for complete autopsies.
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