Churchill Downs Announces New Safety Measures Following Horse Deaths

Churchill Downs will adopt new safety measures in the wake of a rash of recent horse deaths.

The new rules were announced on Thursday, following an ’emergency summit’ by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA).

Horses will be restricted to a maximum of four starts over a rolling eight-week period.

Horses that lose a race by more than 12 lengths for five straight races will be ineligible to race until cleared by doctors.

Pay-outs will be limited to the top five finishers.

A total of 12 horses have died at Churchill Downs since the beginning of the spring season.

Will these rule changes improve horse safety?  Is horse racing fundamentally unsafe?