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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Racing, Safety

Statement from Keeneland and Breeders’ Cup on...

During Race 2 at Keeneland, Absolutely Aiden sustained an injury and was attended to by an expert team of veterinarians led by Dr. Nick Smith, Chief Veterinary Officer

November 7, 2020

Majority Leader McConnell Announces Bill to...

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act and new independent Authority will aim to help protect the sport and the over 24,000 Kentucky workers who support it U.S.

August 31, 2020

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

2020 Fall Meet Statistics

Figures since October 1

Number of Horses on Track: 14859
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 1397
Number of Starters: 1304

October 1

Number of Horses on Track: 625
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 36
Number of Starters: N/A
Dirt Moisture Content:N/A
Turf Moisture Content: N/A
Going Stick Penetration: N/A
Number of Incidents: 0

October 2

Number of Horses on Track: 739
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 44
Number of Starters: 84
Dirt Moisture Content: 19.4%
Turf Moisture Content: 28.1%
Going Stick Penetration: 8/27
Number of Incidents: 0

October 3

Number of Horses on Track: 706
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 155
Number of Starters: 88
Dirt Moisture Content: 23%
Turf Moisture Content: 38.7%
Going Stick Penetration: 6.9
Number of Incidents: 0

October 4

Number of Horses on Track: 462
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 63
Number of Starters: 83
Dirt Moisture Content: 19.7%
Turf Moisture Content: 29.1%
Going Stick Penetration: 8.79
Number of Incidents: 0

October 5

Number of Horses on Track: 581
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 36
Number of Starters: N/A
Dirt Moisture Content: N/A
Turf Moisture Content: N/A
Going Stick Penetration: N/A
Number of Incidents: 1

October 6

Number of Horses on Track: 577
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 28
Number of Starters: N/A
Dirt Moisture Content: 19.2%
Turf Moisture Content: 38.5%
Going Stick Penetration: 7.10
Number of Incidents: 0

October 7

Number of Horses on Track: 737
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 36
Number of Starters: N/A
Dirt Moisture Content: 19.9%
Turf Moisture Content: 27.5%
Going Stick Penetration: 8.30
Number of Incidents: 0

October 8

Number of Horses on Track: 718
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 59
Number of Starters: 82
Dirt Moisture Content: 19.3%
Turf Moisture Content: 34.6
Going Stick Penetration: 7.1
Number of Incidents: 0

October 9

Number of Horses on Track:764
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 78
Number of Starters: 81
Dirt Moisture Content: 20.3%
Turf Moisture Content: 38.7
Going Stick Penetration: 6.7
Number of Incidents: 0

October 10

Number of Horses on Track: 718
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 182
Number of Starters: 90
Dirt Moisture Content: 19.7%
Turf Moisture Content: 41.8
Going Stick Penetration: 7.5
Number of Incidents: 0

October 11

Number of Horses on Track: 413
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 19
Number of Starters: 72
Dirt Moisture Content: 21.3%
Turf Moisture Content: 43%
Going Stick Penetration: 7.0
Number of Incidents: 0

October 12

Number of Horses on Track: 607
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 30
Number of Starters: N/A
Dirt Moisture Content: N/A
Turf Moisture Content: N/A
Going Stick Penetration: N/A
Number of Incidents: 0

October 13

Number of Horses on Track: 616
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 38
Number of Starters: N/A
Dirt Moisture Content: N/A
Turf Moisture Content: N/A
Going Stick Penetration: N/A
Number of Incidents: 0

October 14

Number of Horses on Track: 748
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 41
Number of Starters: 60
Dirt Moisture Content: 19.3%
Turf Moisture Content: 35.8%
Going Stick Penetration: 7.3
Number of Incidents: 0

October 15

Number of Horses on Track: 695
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 56
Number of Starters: 75
Dirt Moisture Content: 20.2%
Turf Moisture Content: 31.1%
Going Stick Penetration: 8/1
Number of Incidents: 0

October 16

Number of Horses on Track: 756
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 51
Number of Starters: 83
Dirt Moisture Content: 18.4%
Turf Moisture Content: 35.2%
Going Stick Penetration: 6.9
Number of Incidents: 0

October 17

Number of Horses on Track: 683
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 157
Number of Starters: 85
Dirt Moisture Content: 19.5%
Turf Moisture Content: 40%
Going Stick Penetration: 7.9
Number of Incidents: 0

October 18

Number of Horses on Track: 451
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 81
Number of Starters: 72
Dirt Moisture Content: 20%
Turf Moisture Content: 36%
Going Stick Penetration: 8.1
Number of Incidents: 0

October 19

Number of Horses on Track: 473
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 20
Number of Starters: N/A
Dirt Moisture Content: N/A
Turf Moisture Content: N/A
Going Stick Penetration: N/A
Number of Incidents: 0

October 20

Number of Horses on Track: 242
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 0
Number of Starters: N/A
Dirt Moisture Content: N/A
Turf Moisture Content: N/A
Going Stick Penetration: N/A
Number of Incidents: 0

October 21

Number of Horses on Track: 694
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 11
Number of Starters: 59
Dirt Moisture Content: 23.1%
Turf Moisture Content: 43.8%
Going Stick Penetration: 6.8
Number of Incidents: 0

October 22

Number of Horses on Track: 687
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 63
Number of Starters: 72
Dirt Moisture Content: 19.4%
Turf Moisture Content: 42.5%
Going Stick Penetration: 7.1
Number of Incidents: 0

October 23

Number of Horses on Track: 595
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 82
Number of Starters: 71
Dirt Moisture Content: 19.1%
Turf Moisture Content: 38.8%
Going Stick Penetration: 7.3
Number of Incidents: 0

October 24

Number of Horses on Track: 501
Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 41
Number of Starters: 78
Dirt Moisture Content: 24.9%
Turf Moisture Content: 47.3%
Going Stick Penetration: 7.3
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 2019.

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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Recent Reforms Significantly Enhance Safety Protocols at Kentucky Tracks

Earlier this year, Keeneland announced major changes in racing and training policies to strengthen safety protocols at the track. Reforms included mandatory veterinary inspections prior to workouts and race entry and enhanced reporting and transparency requirements for trainers and attending veterinarians with regard to the fitness of horses to work and race.

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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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