The second quarter of 2024 (Apr. 1-June 30) continued the downward trajectory of the rate of racing-related equine fatalities in the industry, according to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA)'s 2024 Second Quarter Metrics Report. The report provides an in-depth analysis of key performance indicators related to the safety and integrity of Thoroughbred racing in the United States.
Since the implementation of the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program on May 22, 2023, which represents the point in time when HISA became fully operational, the fatality rate has declined for four consecutive quarters, including an approximate 49% decrease year over year in the second quarter of 2024. Racetracks operating under HISA's rules and running races in the second quarter reported 0.76 racing-related equine fatalities per 1,000 starts, compared to 1.48 racing-related equine fatalities per 1,000 starts in the second quarter of 2023.
Strikingly, the 0.76 fatalities per start is less than half of the fatality rate at non-HISA tracks in West Virginia, Texas, and Louisiana, which was 1.8 for the same period–11,125 starts with 20 fatalities in the three states combined.
“Thoroughbred racing is consistently getting safer with HISA's involvement and the commitment of our racing stakeholders, especially the horsemen and veterinarians who work so diligently under HISA to keep horses safe,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “Today's metrics release shows tremendous progress towards preserving and improving a cherished sport, and all participating stakeholders should be proud of the progress we have made by working together. Collaboration is essential to maintaining this positive trend, and we continue to actively work with the horse racing community to elevate Thoroughbred racing to new, and safer, heights.”
Second Quarter 2024 Highlights:
Equine Fatalities: Racetracks operating under HISA's rules that were open for racing reported 0.76 racing-related equine fatalities per 1,000 starts during the second quarter of 2024 as compared to 1.48 racing-related equine fatalities per 1,000 starts during the first quarter of 2023, a decrease of approximately 49% year over year. The report also sets forth the racing-related fatalities by state and individual racetrack, including racetracks outside of HISA's purview in Louisiana, Texas and West Virginia.
Beginning with HISA's 2024 Annual Metrics Report, to be published during the first quarter of 2025, HISA will provide training-related fatalities for the full year and each quarter of 2024 on an aggregate and per-track basis.
Racetrack Accreditation: As of June 30, 2024, HISA has completed accreditation visits at 31 tracks, seven of which occurred during the second quarter of this year: Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing and Hawthorne in Illinois, Pimlico in Maryland, Canterbury Park in Minnesota and Aqueduct and Saratoga Race Course in New York.
Racing Participant Registration: As of June 30, 2024, approximately 35,000 Covered Persons, 65,000 Covered Horses and 1,000 veterinarians were registered with HISA.
Veterinary Treatment Records: On average, HISA received approximately 6,500 veterinary treatment records each day during the second quarter of 2024, and, as of June 30, 2024, approximately 3.2 million veterinary treatment records had been uploaded to the HISA Portal since the inception of the Racetrack Safety Program on July 1, 2022.
You may access the full report by clicking here. The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit will also release a separate quarterly report detailing metrics from the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program.
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