Luck

Spoiler:

HBO cancels 'Luck' following horse deaths
WENN

The producers of Dustin Hoffman's hit TV series "Luck" have announced they are canceling the show following the death of a horse on Tuesday.

The tragedy marked the third time in a year that a horse had to be euthanized during filming at the Santa Anita racetrack in California.

And although the latest incident happened off-set in the stables area of the location, executive producers David Milch and Michael Mann have decided not to proceed with the remainder of the second season of the show.

A statement from HBO, the film company behind the project, reads, "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."

A joint statement from Mann and Milch reads, "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."

Luck launched earlier this year to rave reviews and was quickly picked up for a second season.

HBO bosses will continue to run all episodes filmed so far.