Days After the Horrific Incident in Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Releases 2 More Horse Necropsies

It has been a troubling past few months for Churchill Downs. The official racecourse for the famous Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, has recently become infamous for a large number of horse deaths, a staggering 12 in total. What is astonishing is that the stables at Churchill Downs have only been open for training since late March.

Now the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has released the necropsy reports for two more horses that died at Churchill Downs in recent weeks. This move comes after a startling nine necropsies have already been unveiled, shedding light on the heartbreaking loss of these majestic creatures.

The latest necropsies aim to clear the air

‘Kimberley Dream’ became the latest victim of the tragedy. According to a WHAS11 report, the 7-year-old mare suffered a devastating injury to her left front leg in May and the severity of her condition left no choice but to euthanize her. ‘Lost in Limbo’, another beloved horse, met a similar fate the day before Kimberley Dream’s tragedy. The gelding suffered an injury during a fall in the race, leading to his unfortunate euthanization. Both necropsy reports found no evidence of foul play or prohibited substances in either horse. However, the reports did note that Kimberly Dream was racing at a higher level as compared to before.

Kimberley Dream was the oldest horse in the field on the day she was injured and Lost in Limbo had unseated his driver in the post parade before the race. Jockeys Jesus Castanon and Ricardo Santana Jr., who rode Kimberley Dream and Lost in Limbo respectively, expressed uncertainty regarding the track’s involvement in the injuries.

Both riders emphasized that the track was in good condition and seemed to rule it out as a contributing factor. Rio Moon, Freezing Point, Chloe’s Dream, Take Charge Briana, Chasing Artie, Parents Pride, Wild on Ice, and now Kimberley Dream and Lost in Limbo—all these names are now etched into the memory of racing history, marking moments of grief and pain. The trainer for Parents Pride and Chasing Artie, Saffie Joseph Jr. was also indefinitely suspended by track authorities.

Suspension and reinstating of Saffie Joseph Jr.

After two of his horses were euthanized, Churchill Downs suspended horse trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. However, he was reinstated two months later. An investigation committee was set up to find out about the rare deaths of Parents Pride and Chasing Artie within 72 hours of each other. However, the necropsies revealed no foul play and the third-generation horse trainer has returned to Churchill Downs. The committee maintained that sudden deaths are a rare phenomenon, however; they remain unexplainable. According to an AP News report, Joseph further said, “A lot of times in those sudden deaths you never get answers.”

Read more: After Tragic Death of 12 Horses at Kentucky Derby Site, Event to Be Shifted to the $79,000,000 Racecourse

Churchill Downs is home to the Kentucky Derby, one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. However, the recent spate of horse deaths has raised serious questions in the minds of equestrians about the safety of the track. It remains to be seen what changes will be made at Churchill Downs in the wake of the recent deaths.

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