HBO cancels 'Luck' after horse deaths

US horse racing series Luck has been cancelled by HBO after a third thoroughbred died during the making of the drama starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte.

HBO said the final two episodes of the series would be shown but the series will not return for its second season which began production last month.

“While we maintained the highest safety standards possible, accidents unfortunately happen and it is impossible to guarantee they won’t in the future,” the channel said. “Accordingly, we have reached this difficult decision.”

The move was made in agreement with David Milch, the show’s creator, and Michael Mann, his fellow executive producer on the drama that brought Hollywood star Hoffman to series TV. It was a high-profile project for the premium channel that stakes its reputation on such fare.

This is the third series in a row Milch has done for HBO, and the third to end more abruptly than he had planned. "Deadwood" was canceled after the third season (out of a planned four) for financial reasons, with Milch playing the good soldier and playing along with the story that he was really eager to move on to the metaphysical surfing drama "John from Cincinnati" which was a mess, creatively and financially, and HBO pulled the plug after only one season.

HBO said it was “immensely proud” of the series and those involved in it, and the producers said in a joint statement that they “loved this series, loved the cast, crew and writers”.

Retired jockey Gary Stevens, who co-stars in Luck and was in the racehorse film Seabiscuit , tweeted his support to the HBO series, saying: “So bummed. Peace out to all my family in Luck .”

The American Humane Association, which oversees animal welfare on Hollywood productions, said that in light of the three deaths “this is arguably the best decision HBO could have made”.

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A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE MAY BE IN ORDER


5 thoroughbred racehorses were put down in the last 2 days at The Cheltenham Festival`- March 14th and 15th 2012.

Educated Evans - Fell - Injured - Destroyed
Garde Champetre - Broke Down - Destroyed
Scotsirish - Broke Hind Leg - Destroyed
Featherbed Lane - Broke Leg - Destroyed
Abergavenny - Fell - Broke Elbow - Destroyed

just 5 of the 29 who have been destroyed since Jan 1st 2012 at English racing meets, and of over 150 that have been destroyed in Britain since the TV series 'Luck' went into production.