Another horse dies at Churchill Downs, taking death toll to 11 inside a MONTH at home of Kentucky Derby as PETA calls on the track to ‘implement lifesaving changes’
Eleven horses have now died inside a month at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, after Lost in Limbo had to be euthanized after falling in a race on Friday.
The seven-year-old gelding fell nose first into the ground and can be seen writhing in pain before twice falling back over after trying to stand up. It was breathing heavily, visibly in distress, as vets raced over to try and help the horse.
The horse was apparently distressed before the race and threw its jockey, Ricardo Santana Jr, in the post parade but was still cleared to take part on Friday.
Lost in Limbo’s death was met with dismay by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). A statement provided to DailyMail.Com said: ‘Churchill Downs needs a fleet of equine ambulances to carry the fatally wounded horses out of public view.
‘Today (Friday), Lost in Limbo became the 11th fatality since April 27 when he crashed nose-first on the track and lay heaving in the dirt.
Lost in Limbo had to be euthanized after falling in a race at Churchill Downs on Friday
‘The horse should have been eliminated before the race when he threw the jockey and took flight. It’s not clear whether a veterinarian examined him after his escape.
‘Churchill Downs is complicit in this carnage for not shutting down this track to implement lifesaving changes.
‘CEO Bill Carstanjen needs to stop hoping things will get better, be a leader, and take action now. If he won’t, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission needs to do it for him.’
It comes after Swanson Lake, a 3-year-old filly, was pulled up by jockey James Graham about 100 yards past the finish line on May 21.
That was the ninth horse to die and, according to the Los Angeles Times, the number can be increased by one more death due to an unreported death two weeks ago at the track.