News Releases

Thursday, September 20, 2007Contact: Bob Curran Jr. (212) 521-5326
Second Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit Set for March 17-18, 2008

A second Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit has been scheduled for March 17-18, 2008, at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky. The announcement was made today by Edward L. Bowen, president of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

Coordinated and underwritten by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and The Jockey Club, the summit is a two-day workshop designed to explore ways to enhance the safety and soundness of the Thoroughbred racehorse.

The original Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit was held October 16-17, 2006, at Keeneland and resulted in the formation of committees to research and make recommendations on the action plans that evolved from the summit’s strategic planning session.

Committees were established in the following areas deemed critical to enhancing horse health and extending the careers of racehorses: On-Track Injury Reporting, Education and Licensing, Shoeing and Hoof Care, Racing Surfaces, Durability, Race Conditions and Racing Office, and Health and Medical Records.

“In the 11 months since the original summit, each working group has made considerable progress toward promoting the health and soundness of the racehorse, in concert with efforts that also promote the health of the industry, in their particular area of focus,” said Bowen. “We are indebted to these individuals for their ongoing commitment and we look forward to gathering a cross-section of industry representatives together once again next March to plan our next steps.”

“As an organization that proudly supports initiatives aimed at advancing the interests of the Thoroughbred and its supporting industry, Keeneland is pleased to once again host the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit,” said Nick Nicholson, president and CEO of Keeneland Association.

The strategic plan and recommendations that came out of the original summit, presentations, research articles, committee updates, and other information can be found on the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit website, which is available through links on the websites of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation (www.grayson-jockeyclub.org) and The Jockey Club ( www.jockeyclub.com).

Since 1983, the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has underwritten 230 projects at 32 universities for more than $14 million.