Sports
Churchill Downs Targets Safer Future After Drop in Horse Racing Fatalities
After a troubling year for horse racing in 2023, Churchill Downs is looking toward a safer future—and the numbers suggest it’s on the right path.
According to the 2024 annual report from the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), released in March, racing fatalities dropped across the 47 HISA-regulated tracks. The fatality rate fell to 0.9 deaths per 1,000 starts, down from 1.23 the year before.
Churchill Downs reported six horse deaths for the year, a significant improvement compared to the seven fatalities reported by Derby Day in 2023. The spike in deaths last year triggered intense scrutiny and even a suspension of racing at the iconic venue.
In response, Churchill Downs made major safety investments. Track maintenance and surface testing were upgraded, and horses now race equipped with stride sensors to monitor performance and potential injury risks. In 2025, the track plans to incorporate advanced PET scans—nuclear imaging that can detect injuries earlier and more accurately.
“Our big thing this year is focusing on the science and technology side,” a track spokesperson said. “We believe these tools can help identify subtle injuries before they become catastrophic.”
Still, the racing industry hasn’t pinpointed exactly why 2023 saw such a spike in fatalities. Some critics argue that the transient nature of horses moving between tracks across states makes it hard to isolate risks.
Despite the unknowns, industry leaders believe technology could bring them closer to the goal of zero fatalities. “We just have to figure out how to adapt advanced technology to Thoroughbred racing,” one expert said. “It’s possible—we just need to find the way.”
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.
By: NBC Palm Springs
April 30, 2025
Latest Instagram Posts
After AB 1145 (also known as Tristin’s Bill) was signed into law, NBC Palm Springs @maria_nvtv is giving more information about the law and what this means for the future of transportation in California #Highway74 #RoadSafety #CoachellaValley #Anza #RiversideCounty
Pregame update from Tim O’Brien ahead of tonight’s preseason matchup between the Coachella Valley Firebirds and the Ontario Reign. Tim has the latest from Acrisure Arena as the Firebirds get set for tonight’s game. UPDATE: Firebirds #CVFirebirds #CoachellaValleyFirebirds #OntarioReign #AHL #Hockey PalmSprings CoachellaValley
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Xzavier Hernandez with the dot towards the back of the endzone, 2) Jesse Rodriguez with the 50 plus yard TD throw, 3) Trace Vargas with the diving TD, 4) Ryan Rumsey with the screen pass TD, making guys miss, or 5) Moyses Aguilar with the pick #fyp #fnl2026 #hondaofthedesert #highschoolfootball #fridaynightlights
Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇 #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #explore #nbcpalmsprings
⚡️ TOP STORY: A man is recovering after he was struck by lightning. Firefighters battled a brush fire along Snow Creek Road, while another lightning strike in Chino Canyon sent a man to the hospital. If you hear thunder, stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last rumble. #PalmSprings #Lightning #FireSafety
🚨 Chasing that year-round “summer glow”? A social media tanning trend involving the unapproved peptide melanotan-2 is raising serious safety concerns. Dermatologists say safer sunless tanning options are available. ☀️ #YourHealthToday #SkinHealth #Melanotan2 #TanningSafety
Palm Springs firefighters responded Thursday to a report of a person struck by lightning in the Chino Canyon area. The person was transported to a hospital for medical treatment. Firefighters also responded to a palm tree fire in Chino Canyon that officials say was caused by an apparent lightning strike. NBC Palm Springs News Director David Reese is in the neighborhood tonight knocking on doors and trying to learn more about what happened. Did you see the lightning strike? Did you hear or see anything unusual? Do you know who was struck or have information that could help us understand what happened? We’d like to hear from you. Send us a DM here or contact NBC Palm Springs if you witnessed the incident or have information to share. #PalmSprings #ChinoCanyon #Lightning #PalmSpringsNews #NBCPalmSprings CoachellaValley BreakingNews
Fred Roggin’s response? Show us the receipts! #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #explore #nbcpalmsprings
A $557k budget shortfall … so why do they need $11.3 million in new taxes? Are you voting Yes or No on Measure P? #therogginreport #measurep #localnews #coachellavalley #nbcpalmsprings
School board trustee wears “FAFO” shirt to court deposition. Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇🏽 #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #explore #nbcpalmsprings