The Equine Injury Database is a comprehensive database of racing fatality statistics that grew out of a proposal first put forth at the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit in Lexington, Ky., in October 2006.
The primary objectives of the Equine Injury Database are to:
- identify the frequency, types and outcome of racing injuries using a standardized format that will generate valid statistics
- identify markers for horses at increased risk of injury
- serve as a data source for research directed at improving safety and preventing injuries
The database contains records of catastrophic fatalities at 73 North American racetracks (including Keeneland) that participate in flat Thoroughbred racing from 2008 through December 2011.
| North America (Nov. 2008 thru Dec. 2011) | Keeneland (April 2008 thru October 2012) | |
| All Surfaces | 1.92 | 1.11 |
| Synthetic | 1.28 | 1.05 |
| Turf | 1.67 | 1.36 |
| Dirt | 2.07 | NA |
Keeneland-Specific Injury Stats and Reports
(April 2008 thru April 2012)
Polytrack and Turf Combined
| Avg. Starts/Day | 14,356 Starts/161 days = 70.87 |
| Avg # Reports/Day | 61 Injury/161 days = .38 |
| Avg # of Fatalities/Day | 16 Fatalities/161 days = .10 |
| Avg # Fatalities per 1000 starts | 16 Fatalities/14,356 starts =1.11 |
Polytrack Only
| Avg. Starts/Day | 11,411 Starts/161 days = 89.17 |
| Avg # Reports/Day | 50 Injury/161 days = .31 |
| Avg # of Fatalities/Day | 12 Fatalities/161 days = .07 |
| Avg # Fatalities per 1000 starts | 12 Fatalities/11,411 starts = 1.05 |
Turf Only
| Avg. Starts/Day | 2,945 Starts/146 days = 20.17 |
| Avg # Reports/Day | 11 Injury /146 days = .08 |
| Avg # of Fatalities/Day | 4 Fatalities/146 days = .03 |
| Avg # Fatalities per 1000 starts | 4 Fatalities/2,945 starts = 1.36 |