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Horse Racing
In the spring of 2023, Churchill Downs went through a troubling period when 12 horses died at the track.
An investigation was launched by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), a federal watchdog that oversees national, uniform integrity and safety rules for the thoroughbred racing in the United States.
HISA released a report in September 2023, saying its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 12 equine fatalities that took place at Churchill Downs found no single factor led to the deaths.
HISA made a series of recommendations that included:
- A data analysis effort where HISA will work with top data analytics companies to explore critical questions facing the sport. The sophisticated data analysis, made possible by uniform reporting requirements under HISA, will yield new, actionable insights into factors contributing to equine fatalities.
- Creation of a Blue-Ribbon Committee to work toward the study and ultimate introduction of more synthetic surface options in Thoroughbred racing.
- Improved veterinary screening and diagnostic procedures including:
- Making PET scans more accessible to racetracks across the country.
- Conducting a research study to examine the causes of exercise-associated sudden deaths.
- Further use of wearable technology as an injury detection tool.
- An examination of whether there are any other equine fitness tools worthy of investment and deployment.
Churchill Downs made significant changes for the 2024 KY Derby that was run in the spring.
- This year's Derby was the first run under HISA's anti-doping rules.
- Churchill Downs has added new dirt to the track and invested in new high-end equipment to create a better mix for the horses.
- The third new safety effort was that HISA gave the track access to a new Artificial Intelligence tool that evaluates 44 factors linked to horse vulnerability.
Before the new rules went into place, each state could set its own rules. With HISA running the show, samples are collected, screened and measured the same, with the same organization reviewing and prosecuting cases and doling out punishment.
Following the release of the report, HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus told the Associated Press that she had noticed a big shift in horsemen and others recognizing HISA as the law of the land and part of the solution that was needed.
“The industry has really been working tirelessly to make sure that no stone is unturned," Lazarus told FOX56 in Lexington in May.
Here are some more articles and press releases on this topic:
https://www.spcacincinnati.org/media/news/HSUS urges horse racing industry Press Release.pdf
https://www.spcacincinnati.org/media/news/Accountability Report Thoroughbred Racehorses.pdf
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