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 being injured on the track from Louisville to Churchill Downs
- Sport was under the microscope for Kentucky Derby horse deaths
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
An eighth horse has died at Churchill Downs in just over two weeks – after the death toll eclipsed the Kentucky Derby last weekend.
The sport was already reeling from a series of doping suspensions and breakdowns before seven horses died during the build-up and during the showpiece event.
And on Sunday Rio Moon, coached by Dale Romans, had to be euthanized after breaking his leg.
The three-year-old colt was injured in race six at the Louisville track on Sunday.
Dailymail.com has contacted Churchill Downs for comment.
An eighth horse has died (not pictured) at 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 at Churchill Downs, another death at Belmont Park and an injured horse taken to the ambulance Equine from Pimlico.
“Horses are not safe at any of these ‘Cripple Crown’ tracks – or any other horse racing facility. Reduce the deaths to zero or bury this “sport”.
The animal rights group also said “enough is enough” on social media.
Rio Moon “suffered a catastrophic left foreleg injury a few strides after the wire,” according to the Equibase board notes for race six.
Two horses were euthanized after being injured while racing on the Kentucky Derby undercard on May 6.
Mage (#8) won the Kentucky Derby, beating Two Phil’s and Angel Of Empire last Saturday
Saffie Joseph Jr. has been suspended by Churchill Downs ahead of the Kentucky Derby after 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 the competition last Saturday, while three-year-old colt Freezing Point was euthanized after stopping 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 indefinitely by the track, although investigators have yet to determine the cause of his horses’ deaths.
Mage won the 149th Kentucky Derby and will race in the Preakness on May 20.
