Around Derby time last month, there was much talk of Churchill Downs’ supposed improvement – in dead horses, that is – in 2024 relative to the year before, when they last faced a PR nightmare. I, of course, informed media that nothing really ever changes in horseracing. Yes, the killing will vary from meet to meet and track to track, but it is constant and consistent for the industry as a whole (see our annual lists going back to 2014), which is the only way we should be looking at it.
The above said, with the confirmation that Call Protection was indeed euthanized after “going wrong” in the 9th at Churchill Saturday – the same day for which the TDN could hardly contain its excitement – we now know of four kills on that track since the Derby. And that’s just racing. Surely, there have been training and stall deaths over the past month too (we will get that information with our FOIA). Call Protection was four years old; ’twas his 9th time under the whip.
Embarrassing…isn’t it. Good point out Wanda🙏
The Paulick Report never “shines a light” on the fact that this particular part of the horse industry kills an average of six horses per day.