Thoroughbred Safety Coalition

Members of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition Steering Committee voted unanimously to adopt four new medical and operational reforms to further reduce the use of medication in racing, enhance consistency across racing jurisdictions and promote transparency, according to a press release from the organization Monday. The Thoroughbred Safety Coalition is an industry-led effort to advance safety measures in Thoroughbred racing. "These new reforms set the stage for another productive year of advancing meaningful changes to strengthen the culture of safety in thoroughbred racing," said the release. The following recommended reforms have...

The Thoroughbred Safety Coalition has added eight medical and operational reforms to its platform. The group's Steering Committee, made up of executives from the Breeders' Cup, Churchill Downs Incorporated, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Keeneland Association Inc., the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and The Stronach Group, voted unanimously to adopt the reforms with the ultimate goal of uniform implementation across racing jurisdictions. The following reforms have been added to the Coalition's platform: Strengthen race entry and eligibility requirements; Work with state racing commissions to apply racing regulations surrounding prohibited substances...

The Thoroughbred Safety Coalition launched a new online tool to mark the progress its members have made in implementing and advocating for a uniform set of reforms to make racing safer. The new "Accountability Tracker" details the status of individual tracks' efforts to implement the Coalition's reform platform, which is made up of a series of increased medication restrictions, enhanced reporting and transparency requirements and other operational safety and integrity protocols to ensure equine athletes are fit to train and race. "Protecting our athletes requires an industry-wide effort that touches...

The Breeders' Cup Board of Directors met during a regularly scheduled meeting in February to discuss future business plans for the company, including next steps in advancing safety measures and purse levels for the two-day World Championships. The Breeders' Cup Board continued its commitment to using the organization's leadership position within the industry to encourage the adoption of increased safety requirements within and beyond the World Championships. Beginning at the 2020 World Championships, the Breeders' Cup will adopt all six recommendations from Dr. Larry Bramlage's report, (pages 18-21). These process...

The steering committee of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition met in Florida and reports progress in developing a framework for the implementation of reforms while approving four new members and adding a familiar face within the industry in a leadership role. With the objective of furthering and continuing to add to the reform initiatives announced late last year, the coalition Steering Committee has begun outlining a formal process to evaluate and institute future reforms in the areas of medication, transparency, track surfaces and racing operations. Members are currently meeting with stakeholders...