Kentucky Derby trainer suspended after 2 horses mysteriously die at Churchill Downs

Veteran horse coach Saffie Joseph Jr. was suspended indefinitely from Churchill Downs Thursday after two of his horses abruptly died inside days of one another.

Joseph Jr., 36, is prohibited from coming into his horses in races and making use of for stall occupancy in any respect Churchill Downs Integrated racetracks underneath the punishment, the corporate introduced.

“Given the unexplained sudden deaths, we now have affordable considerations in regards to the situation of his horses, and determined to droop him indefinitely till particulars are analyzed and understood,” mentioned Invoice Mudd, President and Chief Working Officer of Churchill Downs Integrated.

“The protection of our equine and human athletes and integrity of our sport is our highest precedence. We really feel these measures are our obligation and accountability.”

Mother and father Delight, 4, and Chasing Artie, 5, collapsed and died following their races at Churchill Downs final Saturday and Tuesday, respectively. 

In an announcement, Churchill Downs mentioned the sudden deaths have been “extremely uncommon.”

Proprietor Ken Ramsay described the 2 horses as “match and wholesome” and mentioned officers “couldn’t discover something improper” following an post-mortem.

“We’ve obtained the preliminary post-mortem again on Mother and father Delight, and the blood was good,” Ramsey instructed Horse Racing Nation. “They couldn’t discover something improper. And in addition the preliminary report on Chasing Artie was related. So I don’t know what occurred to them, but it surely’s very perplexing that the 2 deaths have been so related, and that each of them have been match and wholesome earlier than the race.”

Joseph Jr.’s horse Lord Miles was scheduled to run within the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, however has since been scratched from the race. 

The third-generation horseman mentioned he was “shattered” following each horses’ deaths. 

“That is one thing that doesn’t occur,” Joseph mentioned, in keeping with USA In the present day.

“I’m shattered, principally, as a result of I do know it may possibly’t occur. The chances of it taking place twice is within the trillions. I run virtually 4,000 horses and it by no means occurred. It doesn’t make sense.”

In March, Joseph Jr. was suspended for 15 days by the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Fee when his horse examined constructive for gabapentin, an unlawful nerve ache drug. 

4 horses — together with Joseph’s two — died at Churchill Downs final week.

Kentucky Derby entrant Wild on Ice and Take Cost Briana have been euthanized as a result of accidents.