Santa Anita Park ended its six-month winter-spring season with a 99.97% security document as of September 29, 2023, making it “the most secure observe in North America amongst these with comparable racing quantity and coaching”. in accordance with a press launch.
From September 29, 2023 to June 17, 2024, 6,678 horses ran in races on Santa Anita's important observe and turf. Based on the California Horse Racing Boardthere have been two racing deaths and eight coaching accidents.
Santa Anita Park officers say it marks “a 90 % enchancment in racing fatalities over the previous 5 years since historic reforms to modernize the game of thoroughbred racing have been instituted by 1/ST Racing, the California Horse Racing Board ( CHRB) and stakeholders. .”
These reforms started after a rise within the variety of deaths in 2019 and the observe has seen vital enchancment since then.
“It’s unimaginable to overstate the diligence that your entire racing neighborhood has put into prioritizing the security of the horse above all else,” stated Nate Newby, SVP and Basic Supervisor of Santa Anita Park. “From house owners, trainers, jockeys, vets and the hardworking women and men who take care of the horses on daily basis, everybody has completed their half to make our security the North Star.
“Winter is at all times difficult with the climate, and we’ve got a tremendous observe crew at Santa Anita Park, led by veteran Dennis Moore, whose tireless efforts and numerous lengthy days have been very important.” Newby continued. “We’re grateful to the CHRB for his or her unwavering management in placing the welfare of the horse first, and particularly to our horseplayers, who proceed to assist Santa Anita Park, which permits us all to proceed these industry-leading efforts.”
“Veterinarians at Santa Anita Park have carried out practically 6,400 examinations earlier than horses work at Santa Anita since September 1 of final yr,” stated Dionne Benson, Veterinary Director for 1/ST Racing. “The elevated management has offered extra alternatives for everybody to work in the most effective curiosity of the horse. We’re happy that since HISA adopted lots of the Santa Anita Park and California protocols over the previous yr, the general security of the game has improved throughout the nation.”