Horse Racing Injuries and Welfare Reform

Horse racing causes preventable deaths and injuries through track conditions, breeding for fragility, and training methods that compromise the welfare of animals in a multi-billion dollar industry.

Key Facts

An estimated 700 to 800 racehorses die from racing-related injuries in the US annually
Thoroughbreds have been bred for speed at the expense of bone density, increasing fracture risk
Catastrophic breakdowns occur at a rate of approximately 1.5 per 1,000 starts in US flat racing
Anabolic steroid use in US racing has historically increased bone stress fractures
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act came into force in 2023 establishing national safety standards

Welfare Considerations

Horse racing injuries are not random misfortunes but predictable outcomes of breeding, training, and track management practices that welfare science has studied extensively. Thoroughbred bones are under chronic stress from early intense training that begins at 18 months before skeletal maturity. Track surfaces that are too hard, too soft, or inadequately maintained increase injury rates predictably. The industry has the knowledge to substantially reduce fatality rates but economic pressures work against the slower development and track maintenance investments required.

What You Can Do

Support Jockey Club safety initiatives and state racing regulatory reforms
Advocate for minimum age requirements before track training and racing begins
Choose to watch and support racing operations with documented low injury rates
Engage with racing industry stakeholders on evidence-based safety standards