NYRA, HISA are reviewing 14 Saratoga deaths in standard fashion

The New York Racing Association is working with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority to examine the spike in racehorse deaths at Saratoga this year. It said this is part of a routine, end-of-the-season evaluation of the summer meet.

“As is standard, NYRA is actively working with HISA and the New York State Gaming Commission to analyze the circumstances around the equine deaths at Saratoga Race Course during the 2025 summer meet,” NYRA spokesperson Pat McKenna said in a written statement.

The commission’s online database showed 14 deaths since June 4 involving horses who raced or trained at Saratoga. That is up from four last year. Six happened in races this year and eight in training.

Asked whether HISA would specially look into the 2025 breakdowns, CEO Lisa Lazarus said in a text message Wednesday, “Not at this time. We are still evaluating.”

There also were 14 deaths in 2023, when HISA launched an investigation after the high-profile, finish-line breakdowns of Maple Leaf Mel and New York Thunder when they were on the verge of Grade 1 wins. HISA posted a 214-page report in February 2024 pointing to rainy weather, joint injections and high-intensity exercise as being possible factors.

NYRA said it is using new technology to try to head off injuries before they happen, something that was recommended in the HISA report.

“Continuously improving equine safety is a fundamental responsibility and an organizational imperative at NYRA,” McKenna said in an email response to Horse Racing Nation on Wednesday. “While that commitment has resulted in significant progress in recent years, there is always more work to be done. To that end NYRA is joining with New York State and Cornell University to invest in the most advanced equine-imaging technology to help prevent the most serious injuries before they occur and support important scientific research. In addition NYRA is embracing wearable and AI-based technology in ways that will enhance safety for horses and riders.”

According to statistics from the gaming commission, Saratoga averaged 13.2 horse deaths per year between 2015 and 2023. Last year’s four were the fewest in the past decade. The peak was 19 in 2017.

Last month HISA reported an increase in second-quarter racing deaths at HISA-covered tracks from 2024 to 2025. They went up from 0.76 to 1.24 per 1,000 starts.