The 149th edition of the Kentucky Derby was marred by tragedy as 12 horses lost their lives in the days surrounding the historic race at Churchill Downs. The deaths, which occurred on May 6, 2023, the same day as last year’s race, have once again raised concerns about the safety of the sport of horse racing.
Jockey Mike Smith, a two-time Derby winner, emphasized the importance of safety in the sport, stating, “You can’t ever be too safe when it comes to our sport.” The number of horse deaths in the US increased slightly in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to data from the Equine Injury Database and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA).
Investigations into the deaths at Churchill Downs did not identify a single cause, but the track has made significant changes to its safety program in response. These changes include upgrades to equipment, increased testing of the dirt surface, and the addition of an equine safety and integrity veterinarian.
Churchill Downs now has a safety management committee comprised of jockeys, trainers, exercise riders, track management, and veterinarians who meet weekly to discuss concerns and improvements. Additionally, all horses racing at the track wear StrideSAFE biometric sensors to detect changes in their gaits and a PET unit for diagnostic imaging has been installed.
The implementation of HISA in 2022 aimed to establish national safety standards for racetracks, replacing the varying rules across different states. While progress has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure the safety and well-being of horses in the sport of horse racing.
