Recent data from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) indicate that federal regulations have led to a marked decrease in horse fatalities in U.S. thoroughbred racing. The fatality rate at HISA-authorized tracks dropped 27% in 2024, reaching its lowest level since tracking began in 2009. However, significant disparities persist in states outside HISA's jurisdiction, which report nearly double the fatalities. These findings underscore both the impact of HISA's federal oversight on safety and the ongoing challenges within a fragmented industry operating under various state laws.
"HISA has done a lot of work in bringing everybody along and creating a proof of concept that federal regulations can be effective, that they can be good for the participants in the industry, not only the horses, but the people as well."
"The data offers both progress and perspective. While the decline suggests that HISA's federal oversight may be helping reduce deaths on the track, the sport still carries inherent risk - and the broader national picture remains bifurcated."
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