Analyzing the 2025 Second Quarter Metrics Report: Insights into Safety and Integrity in Thoroughbred Racing
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) recently released its 2025 Second Quarter Metrics Report, which analyzes key performance indicators related to the safety and integrity of Thoroughbred racing in the United States. The report highlighted an increase in racing-related equine fatalities during the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. HISA is actively investigating potential factors contributing to this rise in fatalities, including risk factors identified through its digital decision-support tool, HISA Check, and an increase in fetlock injuries among affected horses.
The report revealed that 85% of the racing-related fatalities in the second quarter of 2025 were attributed to musculoskeletal causes, 13% to sudden death, and 2% to other causes. Researchers also found that some racehorses had atrial fibrillation, leading to fatal heart arrhythmias during exercise. Despite the increase in fatalities compared to the previous year, the fatality rate in the second quarter of 2025 represented a 16% decrease from 2023, indicating ongoing progress towards improving safety in horse racing.
HISA emphasized the importance of proactive measures to enhance safety outcomes in the sport. CEO Lisa Lazarus stressed the need for stakeholders to prioritize safety and embrace change to uphold industry standards. The organization continues to collaborate with stakeholders to strengthen track safety, with several tracks showing improvements in their racing-related fatality rates. Additionally, HISA's efforts to enhance communication with horsemen and medical professionals aim to better protect racehorses and jockeys.
During the second quarter of 2025, racetracks reported 0.52 training-related fatalities per 1,000 workouts, with musculoskeletal causes accounting for 80% of these fatalities. The fatality rate for the Covered Horse population, which includes horses participating in races or workouts, stood at 0.36% for the first half of the year. HISA's commitment to data-driven interventions and collaboration with industry stakeholders underscores its dedication to advancing safety and integrity in Thoroughbred racing.
The comprehensive 2025 Second Quarter Metrics Report provides valuable insights into the current state of safety and integrity in horse racing. Additionally, the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit will release a separate quarterly report detailing metrics from the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program, further underscoring HISA's commitment to transparency and accountability in the sport.