The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has been making significant strides in ensuring the well-being of racehorses. Recent data shows a remarkable plunge in Thoroughbred deaths, with the fatality rate expected to be less than one per 1,000 starts in 2024, marking the first time it has reached such a low level in 15 years. This achievement is the result of the entire industry working together, as emphasized by Lisa Lazarus, the CEO of HISA.

Unveiling the Future of Horseracing Safety

Data Highlights and Industry Collaboration

During the 12 months ended Tuesday, the fatality rate dropped to 0.88 horses per 1,000 starts, representing a 33% decline from 2023 and a 30% drop from the previous low in 2022. This significant reduction is a testament to the collective efforts of all stakeholders in the horseracing industry. It shows that when everyone comes together, positive changes can be achieved.Moreover, HISA's commitment to safety is not limited to racecourse deaths. They have also been working on providing specific data on training deaths, which will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the overall safety situation. This winter, they promised to release per-track figures, which will be crucial for identifying areas that need further improvement.

Concerns and Controversies

Despite these positive developments, there are still concerns within the industry. During an afternoon session of the symposium, Pletcher raised questions about the positive drug tests that have been flagged, such as the one that affected Forte during a juvenile championship season in 2022. He suggested that some laboratories may have been currying favor with HISA by conducting an excessive number of tests to detect lower and lower levels of drugs.This has led to a rash of positive results in human-prescribed medications that horsepeople may not have intentionally administered to their horses. However, Pletcher also emphasized that he supports HISA and believes that the potential end result of their work will be good for the game.

Organizational Growth and Future Prospects

Lazarus admitted that HISA has faced growing pains as it was not fully deployed for safety and medication regulations until May 2023. But now, they are at a point where they can take all the work and information they have gathered from the industry and give back in the form of valuable products and insights, helping to bring the industry to the next level.As HISA continues to evolve and address the various challenges, it is clear that the future of horseracing safety is in good hands. With continued collaboration and a focus on continuous improvement, the industry can look forward to a safer and more sustainable future for its beloved racehorses.