California sees decline in equine fatalities

ARCADIA, Calif. – The number of equine fatalities at California racetracks declined to 138 in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, compared to 206 in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, according to data released last weekend by the California Horse Racing Board in its annual report.

The report also showed an increase of 2.2 percent in all-sources handle at state racetracks during the fiscal year to $3,122,218,991. Average field size declined slightly from 7.19 runners per race to 7.17. The number of racing programs declined by 5, to an all-time low of 603, while the number of starters declined 1.1 percent to 38,079. There were 5,313 races during the fiscal year, an all-time low, compared to 5,358 in 2017.

The number of fatalities dropped 33 percent over the two most recent fiscal years, but the decline may not continue in the current fiscal year, according to Rick Arthur, California’s equine medical director. While statistics for the current year are not available, there have been several fatal injuries at Santa Anita this year, notably three horses lost in stakes.

“If trends continue, we will not be as successful as last year,” Arthur wrote in an email Sunday.

“But I expect fiscal year 2018-19 will still be the second-best year in the last 25 years, notwithstanding a tough January.”

There were 205 recorded fatalities in the fiscal year ending in 2016, 187 in 2015, and 199 in 2014, according to the racing board’s annual reports. The figure was as high as 278 in the 2011-12 fiscal year.

In the 2017-18 fiscal year, there were 65 horses lost as a result of injuries in races, 47 during training, and 26 from other causes, including illness or accidents in the stable area. The data was compiled from all venues and training centers, including the Southern California Thoroughbred circuit, Golden Gate Fields in Northern California, the Northern California fair circuit, and harness races.

The highest rates of fatalities were at Santa Anita and Los Alamitos, which offer the most racing dates. Los Alamitos is open year round for training, while Santa Anita closes for training for seven weeks in the summer.

In the 2017-18 fiscal year, there were 44 fatalities at Santa Anita – 20 in races, 17 in training, and seven for other reasons. At Los Alamitos, 41 horses were lost – 23 in races, six in training, and 12 for other reasons. Los Alamitos runs a year-round night meeting for Quarter Horses and lower-level Thoroughbreds and holds three brief meetings that are part of the Southern California daytime Thoroughbred circuit.

In the 2016-17 fiscal year, there were 64 horses lost at Santa Anita and 56 at Los Alamitos.

In his email, Arthur said the reason for the reduction in fatalities “is multi-faceted.”

Arthur credited an increase in examinations of horses that have been placed on veterinarian and stewards lists, inspections of horses in the days leading to starts and on race days, and tougher medication rules.

“Most importantly, the added scrutiny, plus our fatality reviews with trainers by the official veterinarians, has increased the awareness of trainers, veterinarians, and others,” he wrote.

“We have to give credit to the very good job our track superintendents have done. Really, the entire California industry deserves credit for recognizing the importance of horse safety to the health of the racing industry.”