NU Online News Service, June 23, 2:51 p.m. EST

Churchill Downs Incorporated says it has property and business interruption insurance on its racing properties to cover losses related to a tornado that hit the Kentucky Derby horse track June 22.

“We are working with adjusters now to determine the extent of the damage,” says spokeswoman Julie Koenig Loignon in an email.

She says Churchill Downs cannot speculate about damage costs or deductibles until the company’s second-quarter results are released.

There were no injuries reported to people or horses, though the confirmed twister in Louisville, Ky. did damage about 10 barns and a chapel at Churchill Downs. Hundreds of horses and about 100 people stay at the track.

Chris Marnitz, owner of Lexington-based equine insurance provider Marnitz and Assoc., says insurance for horses depends on their value, but equine mortality (basically life insurance for a horse) and insurance for saddles and other equipment is available.

“The high-end horses are normally covered,” he says.

Owners typically chose to self-insure lower-end horses, but that isn’t always the case, says Shawna Dietrich, founder of Louisville-based equine insurance provider Dietrich and Co.

“It’s an individual decision by the owner—how much he wants to protect his initial cash outlay,” she says, adding that while mortality insurance is the responsibility of the owner, the trainer takes out insurance for equipment.

Coverage for tack, or harnesses and equipment used for riding, is provided with a floater on an inland marine policy, Marnitz says.

Some health insurance options are available for horse injuries, but not for racehorses due to the risk. Injuries are paid out-of-pocket. Dietrich says there is coverage for thoroughbreds used for breeding and for unborn foals.

However, if workers employed by trainers were injured, they would be covered by workers’ compensation procured by the trainers, Dietrich points out.

Horse owners cannot turn to Churchill Downs to help with any losses because damages were caused by a tornado, Marnitz adds.

“If a barn caught on fire, they could turn to the track, but this isn’t an act of negligence so there is no recourse,” he says.

Special Reports /

Churchill Downs Working to Determine Coverage for Damages

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