LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority is independently investigating racing conditions at Churchill Downs following 12 equine deaths at the track since late April.

What You Need To Know

  • There have been 12 horse deaths at Churchill Downs since late April

  • There have been no discernible patterns detected with the recent fatalities

  • The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority hosted an emergency veterinary summit Tuesday
  • If HISA has any recommendations for Churchill Downs, those would likely be announced Wednesday

HISA hosted an emergency veterinary summit Tuesday. During the meeting, veterinary teams from HISA, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and Churchill Downs reviewed all veterinary information available to conduct analysis. HISA officials say the goal is to better understand the events surrounding recent fatalities.

“I would say it’s been devastating,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “I’ve lost a tremendous amount of sleep myself. It’s a tremendous responsibility to feel like you are in a position to potentially protect horses and to avoid the kind of thing we’ve been seeing lately, which is really tough. Everyone is committed to seeing what is happening and stopping it to the extent it can be stopped.”

HISA is also sending track superintendent Dennis Moore to provide a second and independent analysis of Churchill Downs’ racing and training surfaces. HISA said that the review will begin Wednesday. 

That second set of eyes comes after Churchill Downs increased the frequency with which its surfaces are tested. Last week, Dr. Mick Peterson, with the University of Kentucky, performed additional testing at the track. That report did not find anything out of the norm.

Lazarus said the extra set of eyes is to make sure there is no stone left unturned. 

“We have been talking extensively to jockeys and to trainers to see if they’re feeling anything different. What has been challenging is that I have not had a single jockey or trainer tell me they think the track is a factor in these fatalities. That’s why we have to approach this from so many different perspectives.”

HISA also sent its Director of Equine Safety and Welfare, Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, to provide additional veterinary expertise and observation at Churchill Downs. 

Lazarus and Racetrack Safety Director Ann McGovern are expected to travel to Churchill Downs on Wednesday to receive the results of the analysis and offer any suggested follow-ups. Lazarus said, if there are next steps, those would be announced Wednesday before live racing will resume at Churchill Downs on Thursday.

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