Equine Injury Rate Below National Average at NYRA

The number of catastrophic injuries recorded at New York Racing Association (NYRA) tracks declined for a third consecutive year and continued at a rate well below the national average according to stats released Tuesday by The Jockey Club.

The overall fatality rate at the NYRA-owned Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga was 1.1 per 1000 starts in 2015, as compared to the national average of 1.62 per 1000. The 2014 fatality rate was 1.89.

In conjunction with New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association President Rick Violette Jr. and in an effort led by NYRA Senior Vice-President of Racing Operations Martin Panza, the association has undertaken safety protocols over the last 2 1/2 years that have yielded results, according to a NYRA release. In 2013, the number of catastrophic racing injuries numbered 22 which translated into an incidence of 1.2 per 1000 starts. The national average that year was 1.90. The following year, there were 24 catastrophic injuries for a rate of 1.4 per 1000 starts compared to the national average of 1.89. In 2015, there were 19 fatal injuries that resulted in the rate of 1.1 per 1000 starts, all as measured by The Jockey Club.

Prior to the establishment of the NYRA Reorganization Board of Directors at the behest of Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2012 as well as the current management team, the catastrophic injury rate was as high as 2.2 per 1000 starts.

“We have worked diligently to improve equine safety throughout every component of our operations,” stated Christopher Kay, president and CEO of NYRA. “We continue to work with NYRA's Safety Steward, Hugh Gallagher, and Martin Panza, as well as our Horse Watch detail, our Equine Safety Committee board members, the state's Gaming Commission and the State's Medical Equine Director to ensure the safety of our equine athletes and their riders.”

All three NYRA facilities have been accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Safety and Integrity Alliance and, under the direction of Glen Kozak, the vice-president of racing surfaces and facilities for NYRA, the tracks have earned 'best-practice' ratings in nearly every primary area examined by the Alliance.
NYRA has also supported the adoption by the state of New York of the ARCI model rules governing medications and penalties and pledges to continue to support the state gaming commission as they proceed towards adopting the rules.

Additionally, the NYRA Board has expressed its support for national regulation of medications and penalties.

“The New York Racing Association remains vigilant in its efforts to promote equine safety,” said Panza. “We continuously review all available avenues to proactively safeguard the integrity and safety of racing operations at all three of our racetracks. This includes securing outside, independent review of the track surface, close consultations with state regulators, and continued dialogue with jockeys, trainers and owners.”