5 horses died at Churchill Downs in the last week, raising new questions about animal welfare at the Kentucky Derby

• Five horses have died at Churchill Downs in the last week, highlighting concerns about animal welfare.
• One trainer, Saffie Joseph Jr., was suspended indefinitely after two of his horses died.

A horse named Forte, an early favorite in the 2023 Kentucky Derby, was scratched from the competition on Saturday after a veterinarian expressed concerns that it had a bruised foot.

But that was the least of the health problems racehorses faced in the week ahead of the famed Kentucky Derby.

In the last week, five horses died at Churchill Downs, the track hosting Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

The deaths are spotlighting concerns about animal welfare in the horse racing world, Axios reported.

Churchill Downs Incorporated indefinitely suspended trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. after two of his horses, Chasing Artie and Parents Pride, suddenly collapsed and died last week, ESPN reported.

Derby contenders Wild on Ice, meanwhile, was euthanized following an injury during a workout. Take Charge Briana was euthanized after an injury during a race. And Code of Kings was euthanized after breaking his neck while in a saddling paddock, according to Axios.

Following the two deaths, a third horse of Joseph's, Lord Miles, was scratched, according to ESPN. Joseph's suspension prevents him — as well as any trainers he employs — from entering horse races or occupying a stall at any Churchill Downs Incorporated racetracks, the outlet reported.

"Given the unexplained sudden deaths, we have reasonable concerns about the condition of his horses, and decided to suspend him indefinitely until details are analyzed and understood," President and SEO of Churchill Downs Bill Mudd said, per ESPN.

"The safety of our equine and human athletes and integrity of our sport is our highest priority. We feel these measures are our duty and responsibility," Mudd added.

Joseph told Sports Illustrated the "mind-boggling" ordeal "shatters me."

"The odds of that happening twice, it doesn't add up. Theories aren't going to help anything. We need facts," he told the outlet.

The industry was rocked in 2019 when more than two dozen horses died at a single track in Southern California, prompting stricter safety regulations and anti-doping rules.