Kentucky Derby: Five Horses Died This Week At Churchill Downs Including By Broken Neck

The 2023 Kentucky Derby is scheduled to take place this Saturday, May 6, the start of the famed Triple Crown series that's central to the horse racing calendar. But this year's event has been marred by tragedy before it even happened. Five horses have died the week leading up to the historic race, despite recent efforts at regulating the industry.

Churchill Downs suspended trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. indefinitely on Thursday, after two of horses from his barn died under mysterious circumstances within the span of four days. Parents Pride, a four-year-old filly, collapsed and died after the eighth race at Churchill on April 29, while five year old Chasing Artie met the same fate on May 2, also after the eighth race. The causes of death are still unknown.



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In unrelated incidents, three other horses had to be euthanized after suffering catastrophic injuries. This includes hopeful Wild on Ice while training on dirt on April 27, Code of Kings after breaking his neck in a saddling paddock on April 29, and Take Charge Briana during a turf race on May 2.

This is in addition to at least three other horse deaths and 11 injuries during the spring meet at Keeneland last month.


The 2023 Kentucky Derby is scheduled to take place this Saturday, May 6, the start of the famed Triple Crown series that's central to the horse racing calendar. But this year's event has been marred by tragedy before it even happened. Five horses have died the week leading up to the historic race, despite recent efforts at regulating the industry.

Churchill Downs suspended trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. indefinitely on Thursday, after two of horses from his barn died under mysterious circumstances within the span of four days. Parents Pride, a four-year-old filly, collapsed and died after the eighth race at Churchill on April 29, while five year old Chasing Artie met the same fate on May 2, also after the eighth race. The causes of death are still unknown.



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In unrelated incidents, three other horses had to be euthanized after suffering catastrophic injuries. This includes hopeful Wild on Ice while training on dirt on April 27, Code of Kings after breaking his neck in a saddling paddock on April 29, and Take Charge Briana during a turf race on May 2.

This is in addition to at least three other horse deaths and 11 injuries during the spring meet at Keeneland last month.

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