A famed horse trainer is “shattered” following the sudden deaths of two horses he’s worked with, both of whom died days apart after competing at Churchill Downs in the lead-up to the 2023 Kentucky Derby.
Saffie Joseph Jr. expressed disbelief when speaking on the tragedies.
The first unfolded Saturday when 4-year-old Parents Pride, who is owned by Ken Ramsey, collapsed and died after the eighth race.
Another horse owned by Ramsey, 5-year-old Chasing Artie, died in a similar fashion Tuesday after competing in the eighth race.
“This is something that doesn’t happen,” the 36-year-old Joseph said, according to USA Today.
“I’m shattered, basically, because I know it can’t happen. The odds of it happening twice is in the trillions. I run almost 4,000 horses and it never happened. It doesn’t make sense.”
Joseph, who is also training Kentucky Derby entrant Lord Miles, said it’s difficult to grapple with the situation due to the limited information available.
“We have to get through it and figure out what’s the reason,” he said. “I don’t think it’s just bad fortune. For it to happen twice? We’re going to see. I don’t have an answer. I wish I did. I’d love to have closure. But you just have to go through protocol. Not having an answer is the worst thing. When a horse gets injured, that’s different. You have an answer. There’s no answer for this.”
Joseph added he’s having the bloodwork of his horses tested, as well as the animals’ food.
“All bloods are coming back good,” he said, according to Sports Illustrated. “We’re testing feed, hay, supplements —see if there’s anything on our part.”
The Churchill Downs Racetrack addressed the deaths of Parents Pride and Chasing Artie in a statement Wednesday, in addition to Wild on Ice and Take Charge Briana, both of whom were euthanized after sustaining “musculoskeletal injuries from which they could not recover.”
“While a series of events like this is highly unusual, it is completely unacceptable,” the statement read. “We take this very seriously and acknowledge that these troubling incidents are alarming and must be addressed.”
Kentucky Derby contender Wild on Ice was euthanized last week after suffering an injury to his left hind leg in training.
Take Charge Briana suffered a “catastrophic injury” during the fifth race on turf Tuesday, according to the Daily Race Form.
The Kentucky Derby is this Saturday.