Eighth horse dies at Churchill Downs following an injury after Kentucky Derby deaths
Eighth horse dies at Churchill Downs from injury after two were euthanized on Kentucky Derby day – as PETA insists ‘enough is enough’
- Another horse died after an injury on Louisville track Churchill Downs
- The sport was under scrutiny for horse deaths during the Kentucky Derby
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
An eighth horse has died in Churchill Downs in just over two weeks after the number of fatalities overshadowed last weekend’s Kentucky Derby.
The sport was already reeling from a series of doping suspensions and breakdowns before seven horses died in the build-up and during the showpiece.
And on Sunday, Rio Moon, trained by Dale Romans, had to be euthanized after breaking his leg.
The three-year-old colt suffered the injury on Sunday during the sixth race at the Louisville circuit.
Dailymail.com has contacted Churchill Downs for comment.
An eighth horse has died (not pictured) in Churchill Downs in just over two weeks
PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo said in a statement to Dailymail.com: “The carnage continues with an eighth horse dead in Churchill Downs, another fatality in Belmont Park and an injured horse being evacuated to the horse ambulance in Pimlico.
“Horses are not safe on one of these ‘Cripple Crown’ tracks – or on any other horse track. Reduce the number of deaths to zero or bury this ‘sport’.
The animal rights group also said on social media ‘enough is enough’.
Rio Moon “suffered a catastrophic injury to his front left leg a few strides off the wire,” according to notes in the Equibase chart for race six.
Two horses were euthanized after being injured on May 6 during races on the Kentucky Derby undercard.
Mage (No. 8) won the Kentucky Derby, beating Two Phil’s and Angel Of Empire last Saturday
Saffie Joseph Jr. was suspended by Churchill Downs ahead of the Kentucky Derby following the shocking deaths of two of his horses within 71 hours of each other
Three-year-old gelding Chloe’s Dream was injured in the second race of last Saturday’s encounter, while Freezing Point, a three-year-old colt, was euthanized after being retired in the Pat Day Mile Stakes.
Five others were euthanized after training and racing incidents at the track in the days leading up to the Derby.
Two of the horses were trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. He was suspended from the track indefinitely, though investigators have yet to determine a cause for his horses’ deaths.
Mage won the 149th Kentucky Derby and will compete in the Preakness on May 20.