Overall fatality rate down 27 percent at HISA tracks in 2024

The overall fatality rate for horses running at tracks under the jurisdiction of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority in 2024 was 0.90 per 1,000 starts, HISA said on Thursday, a 27 percent decline compared to the rate in 2023 at HISA tracks.

HISA officials had said on multiple occasions late last year and earlier this year that the rate would fall below 1.00 horses per 1,000 starts for 2024. The 2024 rate is the first time that the rate has been below 1.00 since data began to be collected on fatalities in 2009 through the Equine Industry Database.

In 2009, the overall fatality rate was 2.00 horses per 1,000 starts. The 2024 rate is a 53 percent decline from that number.

Fatality rates have generally fallen over the past 15 years as racing has tightened its medication rules and increased veterinary oversight of runners. The rate was 1.25 horses per 1,000 starts in 2022. HISA’s rules went into effect in most major racing jurisdictions in the summer of 2022.

The HISA number was generated from the 47 tracks under its jurisdiction in 19 different states. HISA has said that the fatality rate at tracks that are not covered by its rules is higher than the rate at HISA tracks.

HISA released the overall rate on Thursday in advance of the release of a report in March that will include additional details on the rates.

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