The legendary Churchill Downs, renowned for hosting the Kentucky Derby, is temporarily halting its racing season to reevaluate safety measures following a series of equine fatalities.
A dozen horses have perished at the track within the last month alone, triggering this decision. Although races slated for June 3rd and 4th will proceed, all racing activities at Churchill Downs will be suspended from June 7th through July 3rd. The remaining competitions will be relocated to Ellis Park Racing & Gaming in Henderson, Kentucky.
While neither the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) nor the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) have identified a definitive cause for the recent deaths, Churchill Downs is implementing this as a preventative action. They will collaborate with industry specialists to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of their safety protocols and track conditions. Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen recognized the seriousness of the circumstances, deeming the events “unacceptable.”
Although a comprehensive examination of the recent horse racing incidents has been conducted, additional time is required to analyze all aspects and enhance our track, security, and ethical guidelines. Races at Ellis Park will proceed with the heightened safety precautions already in place at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Summer meet will now take place at Ellis Park, running from July 7th to August 27th, 2023. It is noteworthy that Churchill Downs and its wagering collaborator, TwinSpires, recently declared unprecedented betting activity on the Kentucky Derby, demonstrating the continued allure of this celebrated event.