Four horses die in Kentucky before iconic derby

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Four horses have died in the week leading up to the running of the 149th Kentucky Derby in Louisville, casting a pall over this year’s occasion of the iconic race. Chasing Artie and Parents Pride have the same owner and trainer, Ken Ramsey and Saffie Jones Jr. Mr Ramsey told Horse Racing Nation that both horses were fit before taking to the track and called the manner of their deaths “perplexing.” Mr Joseph has a horse running in Saturday’s Derby as well. We have full confidence in our racing surfaces and have been assured by our riders and horsemen that they do as well.” The sudden deaths of horses is a long-running issue in horseracing, but different states have different reporting requirements around horse deaths. “When horses die unexpectedly, we all suffer, but we take comfort in the tools and practices we have collectively developed to investigate contributing factors and deploy those learnings to minimize future risk,” Ms Lazarus said.