Churchill Downs Transfers Meet to Ellis Park for Protocol Evaluation After 12 Horse Fatalities

Churchill Downs Transfers Spring Meet to Ellis Park for Safety Protocol Evaluation Following 12 Horse Fatalities

Churchill Downs, the renowned host of the Kentucky Derby, has made the decision to suspend racing operations and relocate the remaining races of its spring meet to Ellis Park. This move comes as a result of a thorough examination of safety and surface protocols prompted by the unfortunate occurrence of 12 horse fatalities within the past month. While no specific cause or pattern has been identified, the relocation aims to ensure the utmost caution and address any potential issues.

The CEO of Churchill Downs Inc., Bill Carstanjen, expressed deep concern and deemed the incidents unacceptable. In a released statement, he emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of all details and circumstances to enhance surface quality, safety measures, and overall integrity protocols.

Racing will continue at Churchill Downs until Sunday, after which it will transition to Ellis Park, a racing and gaming facility owned by Churchill Downs Inc. Originally scheduled to begin on July 7, Ellis Park’s meet will now start earlier to accommodate the transferred races.

The decision to move the meet comes following an independent analysis of Churchill Downs’ racing and training surfaces conducted by track superintendent Dennis Moore. The analysis was part of an emergency summit organized by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), in collaboration with the track and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund purses will also undergo limitations, with payouts being limited to the top five finishers, as announced by the KHRC. Additionally, HISA has been granted oversight of racetrack safety.

Churchill Downs’ release stated that expert testing found no concerns and affirmed the consistency of the surface with previous measurements. Nevertheless, the decision to relocate aligns with HISA’s recommendation to suspend the meet temporarily, allowing for further investigation.

The CEO of HISA, Lisa Lazarus, expressed gratitude for Churchill Downs’ cooperation and emphasized their commitment to finding answers and ensuring the safety of horses at Churchill Downs in the future.

Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Carstanjen reassured that moving the spring meet to Ellis Park would minimize disruptions to the industry ecosystem. He also expressed gratitude to Kentucky horsemen for their support and collaboration in seeking solutions.

However, Rick Hiles, the president of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, questioned the relocation, particularly in the absence of conclusive evidence linking Churchill Downs’ surface to the fatalities. Hiles suggested exploring alternative measures, such as allowing therapeutic medications that reduce the risk of injuries, instead of resorting to drastic steps like relocating an active race meet.

This recent development follows the implementation of safety and performance standards by both Churchill Downs and HISA. HISA will now conduct additional screening of horses after entry to identify those at higher risk, and their Integrity and Welfare Unit will collect blood and hair samples from all fatalities for investigative purposes. Churchill Downs, on the other hand, has introduced restrictions on the number of starts per horse within an eight-week period, eligibility criteria for poor performers, and adjustments to purse payouts.

The priority remains ensuring the safety and well-being of the horses, and both Churchill Downs and HISA are committed to working together to achieve this goal.

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