Racetracks operating under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority reported 1.01 racing-related equine fatalities per 1,000 starts during the second quarter (Apr. 1-June 30), according to a metrics report released by HISA Tuesday. The rate represents a 9.8% decrease from the cumulative second-quarter rate of 1.12 fatalities per 1,000 starts recorded since 2023 and an 18.5% year-over-year reduction. Of the racing-related fatalities recorded this quarter, 90.25% were attributable to musculoskeletal causes and 9.75% to sudden death.
For the first time, HISA's second quarter metrics report delineates racing-related equine fatality rates by surface, surface condition and race type. HISA intends to use these figures as a baseline for ongoing comparisons over multiple quarters.
Among classifications with at least 1,000 starts during the quarter, racing-related fatalities per 1,000 starts were as follows:
SURFACE/CONDITION: DIRT: 0.93. Fast: 0.85. Good: 0.78. Sloppy: 1.95.
TURF: 1.41. Firm: 1.54.
SYNTHETIC: 0.40.
RACE TYPE: Starter Optional Claiming: 1.51; Maiden Claiming: 1.08; Maiden Special Weight: 1.07; Claiming: 0.99; Allowance: 0.98; Starter Allowance: 0.83; Allowance Optional Claiming: 0.78; Stakes: 0.43.
“HISA's work to make racing as safe as possible requires us to continually find new ways to analyze and understand our fatality data,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “By delineating racing-related fatality rates by surface, condition and race type, we are expanding an analysis that we expect will help reduce fatalities and strengthen Thoroughbred racing's social license to operate. We will continue exploring additional opportunities to enhance safety for both horses and riders.”
Racetracks operating under HISA rules (and training centers owned by them) reported 0.43 training-related deaths per 1,000 workouts in the second quarter of 2026 (approximately a 16% improvement from the same period last year (0.51)). Of the training-related fatalities recorded this quarter, 85.00% were attributable to musculoskeletal causes, 12.50% to sudden death and 2.50% to other causes.
HISA also found that 30,866 unique Covered Horses recorded a published workout or made a start in a Covered Horserace during the second quarter of 2026. Based on this population, the combined racing- and training-related fatality rate was 0.26%. The number of unique Covered Horses with recorded activity rose 7.5% from the second quarter of 2025 (28,707).
The HISA Equine Recovery Foundation (HERF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit launched in the first quarter of this year, continues to impact fatality rates by providing a safety net for racehorses with career-ending, but treatable injuries. HERF provides immediate access to quality veterinary treatment and rehabilitation to support successful retirement. Although HERF initially aimed to take in 15 horses during its first year, it had already accepted 16 by June 30.
This quarter, HERF saved two horses from euthanasia; without its intervention, both would have been counted as racing-related fatalities. In that scenario, the quarterly racing-related rate would have been 1.06. Both horses are thriving and are expected to transition to second careers soon, according to a HISA release.
In addition, four horses who would have otherwise been training-related fatalities were saved from euthanasia by HERF in the second quarter. Without HERF's interventions, the training-related fatality rate would have been 0.47 this quarter.
HISA's entire 2026 Second Quarter Metrics Report can be accessed here.
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