HBO’s ‘Luck’ Cancels Second Season After Third Horse Death

The HBO series ‘Luck,’ which focuses on the disreputable side of horse racing, was canceled after a horse used in the show was injured and had to be euthanized. This is the third time they had to euthanize a horse since 2010.

The American Humane Association issued demanded “that all production involving horses shut down” pending an investigation. Two other horses had to be euthanized after taping racing scenes in 2010 and 2011. Karen Rosa, the AHA unit’s senior vice president, said racing resumed after new protocols that proved effective were put into place.

After making the decision to pull the series altogether, HBO issued a statement:

“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.’ … 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.”

HBO will air the remaining two episodes of the first season, but it’s the second season, which began production last month, that’s been shelved.

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