Seven Dead Horses – Kentucky Derby as a “Battlefield”

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The horse “Mage” with jockey Javier Castellano won the highlight of the Kentucky Derby last Sunday. On the sporting front, fans will find a surprise at the «Churchill Downs» horse racing complex. After a week in which seven animals died, there is a discussion about how topical the sport is.

Two of the seven animals that died had to be euthanized after injuries sustained during Saturday’s races. One of the deceased horses was even considered a co-favorite. A trainer has been suspended indefinitely until the cause of death of the animals is known. Two of the deceased horses were trained by him.

The organizers of the Kentucky Derby expressed their displeasure in a statement. “Churchill Downs is relentlessly committed to the health and welfare of horses.”

But that is not enough. The animal rights organization declared the race complex a “battleground” during the week and is demanding organizers close the racecourse and introduce stricter safety protocols.

Does horse racing have a future?

Pressure from animal protection groups isn’t the only reason the sport has to fight for survival. While sports betting on the Internet enjoys great popularity, gamblers are finding their way to the racetrack less and less. Negative headlines like Seven Dead Horses in the Kentucky Derby probably won’t help get more people excited about horse racing either.

However, the question about the future of equestrian sports is not limited to the track. Allegations of animal abuse are also known from other disciplines. In show jumping, the Swiss Paul Estermann was recently suspended for seven years after much back and forth. At the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, photos of modern pentathlete Annika Schleu met with incomprehension.

After the events in Louisville, the debate about how and in what form equestrian sport should have a future will not end anytime soon. (dti)

Source : Blick