HISA report shows little change in racing-related death rate

In its first-quarter metrics report released Tuesday, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority reported 0.85 racing-related equine deaths per 1,000 starts during the period at racetracks operating under HISA’s rules reported 0.85 racing-related equine fatalities per 1,000 starts.

That figure is roughly consistent with the 0.84 racing-related equine fatalities per 1,000 starts reported during the same period last year.

The figure also is a 37% decrease from 1.35 racing-related equine fatalities per 1,000 starts in the first quarter of 2023, the first year HISA collected such data. And it is 5.6% lower than the aggregate racing-related fatality rate of 0.90 per 1,000 starts for the 2024 period.

For the first time HISA reported data on fatalities’ subclassifications, which are musculoskeletal injury, sudden death, and other causes such as traumatic injury not related to musculoskeletal injury. During the first quarter, 94% percent of the racing-related fatalities recorded were attributable to musculoskeletal causes, 3% to sudden death and 3% to other causes.

Racetracks reported 0.73 training-related deaths per 1,000 workouts, the official timed works of racehorses preparing for an official start as recorded in Equibase. This is a 9% increase from 0.67 reported during the same period last year.

There were 31 racing deaths and 51 training deaths in the first quarter. HISA rules apply to Thoroughbred racing at 46 racetracks in 19 states.