The 2026 Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit, an event dedicated to enhancing the well-being and safety of thoroughbreds, kicked off at Keeneland on June 29th. This annual gathering, now in its 12th year, serves as a beacon of progress in the industry's ongoing efforts to improve the lives of racehorses. The summit's primary objective is to foster collaboration among industry stakeholders, including veterinarians, trainers, and researchers, to collectively address the challenges of ensuring the soundness and safety of these athletic horses.
One of the summit's key highlights is the launch of a new risk-profiling system in Hong Kong, which has proven to be a valuable tool in predicting and preventing fatal injuries. This system, developed by Dr. Tim Parkin and his team at Bristol Veterinary School, generates risk profiles for every horse stabled at Sha Tin and Happy Valley Race Course. By analyzing a horse's medical records, veterinary history, and racing data, the model provides regulatory veterinarians with an analytical tool for pre-race inspections. The system has shown remarkable effectiveness, with horses in the top 5% of the risk model being eight times more likely to exit a race lame, and these high-risk horses accounting for 31% of all recorded post-race lameness cases.
The summit also provided an update on the Equine Injury Database, which has been instrumental in tracking and reducing fatalities in North America. Since its inception in 2009, the fatality rate has decreased from 2.0 fatalities per 1,000 starts to 1.07 fatalities in 2025. Notably, the rate of fatality on all-weather surfaces, which has historically produced the lowest fatality rate, has been converging with that of dirt and turf surfaces. This convergence suggests that the impact of track surfaces on overall risk is diminishing as track safety improvements continue.
The regulatory veterinary scratch process was another topic of discussion. Moderated by Dr. Mary Scollay, the panel explored how regulatory veterinarians respond when trainers claim, 'He always goes like that.' The advent of wearable technology has enabled veterinarians to better analyze high-speed gaits and gait asymmetry, allowing them to point to objective changes when discussing potential soundness issues. This has led to more informed decisions and improved communication between regulatory and attending veterinarians.
Equine surgeries in developing horses were also a focus of the summit. Dr. Larry Bramlage, bloodstock agent David Ingordo, Juddmonte general manager Garrett O'Rourke, and Taylor Made Farm President Mark Taylor discussed the balance between letting horses be organic and providing them with the best advantage. They emphasized the importance of proper timing for elective surgeries, particularly in addressing joint issues and correcting conformational deformities. Technological advancements have streamlined these procedures, making the decision to operate more straightforward and minimizing the time horses spend in stalls.
The summit also highlighted the importance of planning for aftercare. Lucinda Lovitt, executive director of the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), Chris Block, a trainer and the president of Galloping Out, and Andy Belfiore, executive director of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemmen's Association (NYTHA), agreed that severe injury remains a significant operational challenge for aftercare organizations. They stressed the need for responsible rehoming and the importance of planning for aftercare as part of a business plan.
In conclusion, the 2026 Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit served as a powerful reminder of the industry's commitment to the well-being and safety of thoroughbreds. Through collaboration, innovation, and a focus on aftercare, the summit showcased the progress that has been made and the continued efforts to ensure the health and longevity of these magnificent athletes.
