"Luck," a drama set in the world of horse racing and gambling, premiered Jan. 29 and was canceled Wednesday by HBO following the death of a third racehorse.
GUSMANO CESARETTI/HBO
HBO has shut down any further production of its series 'Luck' following the death of a third horse.
The horse-racing drama, starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte, halted production on Tuesday following the death of another horse at the Santa Anita race track in Arcadia, Calif., where the series is filmed. During filming of season one, two other horses were injured and had to be put down
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals called for production of the series to be shut down while the death was being investigated. HBO announced late Wednesday it was canceling the show’s second season. One episode of that season had already been shot. The series airs at 8 p.m. Sundays on cable 300.
The latest to be injured was a mare who was part of the production but was not being filmed at the time. She was being taken back to her stall by a groom when she reared up, fell over backwards and hit her head on the ground. The attending veterinarian determined humane euthanasia was appropriate, according to hollywoodreporter.com.
Dr. Gary Beck, a California Horse Racing Board veterinarian, reported that he had examined the horse Tuesday as part of routine health and safety procedures before it was to race later in the day and the horse passed the inspection, the American Humane Association said. An AHA representative was at the track when the accident happened, the website reported.
The AHA said that Tuesday’s death was an accident "that was in no way a result of any mistreatment or negligence on the part of HBO," according to reuters.com.
On Wednesday, HBO released the following statement about the cancellation of the series.
"It is with heartbreak that executive producers David Milch and Michael Mann together with HBO have decided to cease all future production on the series LUCK.
"Safety is always of paramount concern. We maintained the highest safety standards throughout production, higher in fact than any protocols existing in horseracing anywhere with many fewer incidents than occur in racing or than befall horses normally in barns at night or pastures. While we maintained the highest safety standards possible, accidents unfortunately happen, and it is impossible to guarantee they won’t in the future. Accordingly, we have reached this difficult decision.
"We are immensely proud of this series, the writing, the acting, the filmmaking, the celebration of the culture of horses and everyone involved in its creation."
Director Michael Mann and "Deadwood" creator David Milch, creators of the series, said in a statement: "The two of us loved this series, loved the cast, crew and writers. This has been a tremendous collaboration and one that we plan to continue in the future."
HBO had been working with the AHA and racing industry experts on safety measures that go "above and beyond" what typically is done in the film and TV industry, including prerace exams performed by a California Horse Racing Board-certified vet with radiographs taken of the legs of all horses being considered for use in simulated racing sequences.
The first horse broke a leg during filming of the series’ pilot. The second animal euthanized for another injury during shooting of the first season.
Dr. Rick Arthur, medical director of the state racing board, said such injuries occur in stable areas every year and are more common than that most think. A necropsy, routine in all fatalities at racing board tracks, has been conducted, he said.
The series debuted Jan. 29 on pay cable channel 300.
