A Commitment to Safety and Integrity

Thoroughbred Safety Coalition

Keeneland is at the forefront of an initiative in which the nation's leading racing organizations have linked arms to unify and enhance existing protections and work together to develop new reforms that ensure the safety of the sport’s athletes. The group seeks to create and implement a series of significant safety, medication, operational and integrity guidelines across racing to ensure the well-being of athletes and increase transparency and accountability.

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Home, Racing, Safety

Internationally Respected Veterinarian Dr....

Keeneland officials announced today that Dr. Stuart E. Brown II, who cared for an international clientele during his nearly 30-year career with Hagyard Equine Medical

June 24, 2020

A letter from Keeneland President and CEO Bill...

To our Industry, Fans and Central Kentucky Community, The decision to cancel this year’s Spring Meet and April Sale due to the alarming spread of COVID-19 has

March 20, 2020

Keeneland Cancels 2020 Spring Race Meet Due to...

Keeneland officials today announced the cancellation of the track’s upcoming Spring Meet, which was scheduled for April 2-24, due to health and safety concerns

March 16, 2020

2020 Summer Meet Statistics

Figures since July 7

Number of Horses on Track: 3720
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 375
Number of Starters: 429

July 12

Number of Horses on Track: 359
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 42
Number of Starters: 76
Dirt Moisture Content: 24%
Turf Moisture Content: 40.6%
Going Stick Penetration: 6.63
Number of Incidents: 0

July 11

Number of Horses on Track: 675
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 125
Number of Starters: 96
Dirt Moisture Content: 22.9%
Turf Moisture Content: 34%
Going Stick Penetration: 7.72
Number of Incidents: 0

July 10

Number of Horses on Track: 605
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 37
Number of Starters: 75
Dirt Moisture Content: 23%
Turf Moisture Content: 38.7%
Going Stick Penetration: 6.9
Number of Incidents: 0

July 9

Number of Horses on Track: 725
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 66
Number of Starters: 87
Dirt Moisture Content: 22.5%
Turf Moisture Content: 36.1%
Going Stick Penetration: 7.90
Number of Incidents: 0

July 8

Number of Horses on Track: 664
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 36
Number of Starters: 95
Dirt Moisture Content: 21.9%
Turf Moisture Content: 34.1%
Going Stick Penetration: 7.53
Number of Incidents: 0

July 7

Number of Horses on Track: 692
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 69
Number of Starters: N/A
Dirt Moisture Content: 21.38%
Turf Moisture Content: 24.96%
Going Stick Penetration: 7.19
Number of Incidents: 0

NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance Accreditation

Keeneland was among the first race tracks in North America to earn accreditation by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Safety & Integrity Alliance in 2009. Since then, Keeneland has been fully re-accredited every two years, most recently in the fall of 2017.

Alliance certification standards address an extensive list of safety and integrity concerns within six broad areas: injury reporting and prevention; creating a safer racing environment; aftercare and transition of retired racehorses; uniform medication, testing and penalties; safety research; and wagering security

Keeneland Race Track Maintenance Merges Art and Science

Keeneland is committed to advancing knowledge and providing the most consistent dirt and turf racing surfaces in the industry. This commitment is reflected in the significant investment made in the unique design and ongoing maintenance of our dirt track, turf course and training track, and the year-round best practices employed by our track maintenance team.

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Mawsafe Turf Rail

Keeneland replaced its inside turf rail with a Mawsafe safety rail in 2016. The unique flexibility of the Mawsafe rail makes it safer than existing solid pipe construction for horse and rider. The major safety feature is the horizontal PVC rail will absorb the impact of a horse and rider. The rail is designed to spring and bend as the ropes around a boxing ring, flexing under the weight of the horse to allow the rider to guide his mount back onto the turf course.

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Keeneland Follows Safety Protocols throughout the Race Track

Here is a look at additional safety measures in place for the horses who compete at Keeneland.

Outriders

Race track warning system

Immediate response to injured horses and riders

Kimzey Equine Ambulance

Safety padding on starting gate

Safe footing

Keeneland Safety Committee

Outriders

These experienced horsemen and horsewomen are stationed around the track every day to carefully monitor training and racing and provide protection for horses and riders. They are the first responders when a horse and rider need assistance.

Race track warning system

Keeneland uses a dual lights and siren warning system activated to alert riders in the event of a loose horse during training, a failure to remove the starting gate during a race or other incident that may require halting a race.

Immediate response to injured horses and riders

Keeneland works with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Equine Medical Director to execute protocols and communication following a catastrophic equine injury. Keeneland has a detailed plan in place to respond quickly with help to an injured horse and/or rider during training and racing.

Kimzey Equine Ambulance

Two of these specially designed ambulances for horses are stationed just off the race track and are able to quickly reach a horse that is injured or needs a precautionary ride back to its barn. The ambulance also will transport the horse to nearby Hagyard Equine Medical Institute or Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, two of the world’s leading equine veterinary facilities.

The Kimzey Ambulance features a hydraulic system that allows the rear of the vehicle to lower to the ground so the horse can more easily walk aboard. Padded walls can be adjusted to hold the horse comfortably in place during transport. Traveling on each ambulance is a veterinarian and three members of Keeneland’s track maintenance crew.

Safety padding on starting gate

Keeneland’s starting gate and training gate are lined with a thick rubber material produced by Equine Environmental Consulting Inc. (formerly Best Pad Safety Solutions). The padding protects the horse and reduces the impact if a rider’s leg is caught between the horse and the metal structure.

Safe footing

Walkways to the track through the Paddock, Walking Ring and Tunnel as well as the Winner’s Circle are made of rubber pavers. The pavers reduce slippage and are more forgiving on horses’ hooves than harder surfaces.

Keeneland Safety Committee

Keeneland has established a safety committee that meets weekly during live race meets (and as necessary during the off-season) to discuss concerns, find solutions and create and review protocols. The safety committee comprises Keeneland management and staff representing racing, track maintenance, mutuels, security, communications, broadcast, outriders, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and the Jockeys’ Guild.

Keeneland Follows Safety Protocols throughout the Race Track

Here is a look at additional safety measures in place for the horses who compete at Keeneland.

Outriders

These experienced horsemen and horsewomen are stationed around the track every day to carefully monitor training and racing and provide protection for horses and riders. They are the first responders when a horse and rider need assistance.

Race track warning system

Keeneland uses a dual lights and siren warning system activated to alert riders in the event of a loose horse during training, a failure to remove the starting gate during a race or other incident that may require halting a race.

Immediate response to injured horses and riders

Keeneland works with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Equine Medical Director to execute protocols and communication following a catastrophic equine injury. Keeneland has a detailed plan in place to respond quickly with help to an injured horse and/or rider during training and racing.

Kimzey Equine Ambulance

Two of these specially designed ambulances for horses are stationed just off the race track and are able to quickly reach a horse that is injured or needs a precautionary ride back to its barn. The ambulance also will transport the horse to nearby Hagyard Equine Medical Institute or Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, two of the world’s leading equine veterinary facilities.

The Kimzey Ambulance features a hydraulic system that allows the rear of the vehicle to lower to the ground so the horse can more easily walk aboard. Padded walls can be adjusted to hold the horse comfortably in place during transport. Traveling on each ambulance is a veterinarian and three members of Keeneland’s track maintenance crew.

Safety padding on starting gate

Keeneland’s starting gate and training gate are lined with a thick rubber material produced by Equine Environmental Consulting Inc. (formerly Best Pad Safety Solutions). The padding protects the horse and reduces the impact if a rider’s leg is caught between the horse and the metal structure.

Safe footing

Walkways to the track through the Paddock, Walking Ring and Tunnel as well as the Winner’s Circle are made of rubber pavers. The pavers reduce slippage and are more forgiving on horses’ hooves than harder surfaces.

Keeneland Safety Committee

Keeneland has established a safety committee that meets weekly during live race meets (and as necessary during the off-season) to discuss concerns, find solutions and create and review protocols. The safety committee comprises Keeneland management and staff representing racing, track maintenance, mutuels, security, communications, broadcast, outriders, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and the Jockeys’ Guild.

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