LOS ANGELES – Today, California Horse Power Coalition released the following statement in response to the release of the documentary, New York Times Presents: Broken Horses:
“With the safest racetracks in the country, California is considered the gold standard for equine safety in the Thoroughbred racing industry. In fact, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority used California’s equine safety reforms as the blueprint for national regulations that went into effect last year.
These reforms, which California enacted four years ago, are incredibly effective: Last year, there were zero racing fatalities at Del Mar Racetrack in a season when horses made 3,391 starts. Santa Anita Park saw an 80% decrease in equine fatalities since protocols went into effect. This is a direct result of the standards and procedures put in place to implement the industry’s most stringent medication rules, increase veterinary oversight and authority, and promote best practices in horse welfare, as well as millions in industry investments in safer racing surfaces and maintenance, research and technology, and veterinary medical innovations to prevent and treat horse injuries.
This documentary sheds light on a serious issue in an attempt to answer “why,” but it fails to recognize that the racing industry is already implementing solutions, having made an ongoing commitment to equine safety and welfare. Viewers deserve to be informed about the great strides that are being made nationally and that have long been in place here in California.”