A string of horse deaths at Churchill Downs this spring caused the historic racetrack to do the unprecedented: cancel the spring meet. Racing was suspended and moved to Ellis Park amid backlash from the general public.
The newly formed Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) conducted a thorough investigation of the surface of the racetrack. In a 197-page report from the federal committee did not find “any singular explanation” for the fatalities.
“Despite extensive investigation and analysis, HISA did not identify any singular explanation for the fatalities at Churchill Downs,” the report said. “The absence of a singular explanation underscores the urgent need for further action and analysis to mitigate risk stemming from several factors potentially contributing to equine fatalities.