Another horse dies at Churchill Downs, taking death toll to 11 in a MONTH at home of Kentucky Derby
Another horse dies in Churchill Downs, pushing death toll to 11 in Kentucky Derby home in ONE MONTH as PETA calls on track to ‘make life-saving changes’
- Lost in Limbo was injured on Friday after falling nose first into the ground
- The seven-year-old gelding later had to be euthanized at Churchill Downs
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Eleven horses have now died within a month at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, after Lost had to be euthanized in Limbo after a fall in a race on Friday.
The seven-year-old gelding fell nose first into the ground and can be seen writhing in pain before falling backwards twice after trying to get up. It was breathing heavily, visibly distressed, as vets rushed to try and help the horse.
The horse was apparently upset before the race and threw his jockey, Ricardo Santana Jr., into the post parade, but was still allowed to compete on Friday.
Lost in Limbo’s death was met with dismay by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). A statement to DailyMail.Com said: ‘Churchill Downs needs a fleet of horse ambulances to transport the fatally injured horses out of public view.
“Today (Friday) Lost in Limbo became the 11th fatal accident since April 27 when he crashed nose-first onto the track and lay panting in the sand.
Lost in Limbo had to be euthanized after falling in a race at Churchill Downs on Friday
The horse should have been taken out before the race when he threw the jockey and fled. It is not clear whether a vet examined him after his escape.
“Churchill Downs is complicit in this carnage because she failed to close this trail to make life-saving changes.
CEO Bill Carstanjen needs to stop hoping things will get better, be a leader and take action now. If he doesn’t, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission should do it for him.”
It comes after Swanson Lake, a 3-year-old filly, was pulled about 100 yards past the finish line by jockey James Graham on May 21.
That was the ninth horse to die and according to the Los Angeles Times, the number could be increased by one more death due to an unannounced death at the track two weeks ago.