Sixty-nine percent of respondents to a national and Kentucky-based poll commissioned by The Jockey Club said that horse fatalities are a “very important” issue facing the horse racing industry, according to a press release Friday sent by the Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity. The “misuse of drugs” was considered “very important” by 65% of respondents, while “integrity and corruption” scored highly at 63%.
“This survey is further proof that the horse racing industry has reached a tipping point,” said Jim Gagliano, The Jockey Club president and COO. “The health of horses is of concern to both horse racing fans and the general public, and it's time we make some real changes.”
The poll also measured responses towards the Horseracing Integrity Act of 2019, with 91% of respondents saying they would view horse racing “much more” or “somewhat more” favorably if the national oversight and strict anti-doping rules–like those embodied in the HIA–were adopted.
“With industry leaders banding together showing support for passage of HIA, we will be easing concerns of Americans who feel we are not doing enough to protect the health of racehorses,” said Gagliano.
The poll was conducted by PSB, a “full-service custom research and analytics consultancy with a heritage on political polling,” and was conducted from Apr. 16-Apr. 21 among likely U.S. and Kentucky voters. Click here for PSB's complete report.
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