New law gives California regulator right to halt a meeting on welfare grounds

New laws were signed into legislation in California on Wednesday that will allow the state's racing regulator to immediately halt a fixture if it determines the safety of horses or riders may be in jeopardy.

Thirty horses died during racing or training at the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park, which concluded on Sunday. Racing does not return to the course until September 27.

The new bill signing comes weeks after Governor Gavin Newsom directed the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) to apply new safety measures and create a review group at Santa Anita to provide additional examination and determine if an individual horse is at elevated risk of injury before racing.

A total of 38 horses were scratched or denied entry at Santa Anita since the new review process was established this month. Newsom called on the state's other tracks to adopt the additional review processes used this month at Santa Anita.

"Business as usual has resulted in too many horse deaths," Newsom said. "I applaud the legislature for taking action to expand the authority of the CHRB to cancel or move race meets when animal and human safety are at risk.

"This problem demands deeper partnership between the CHRB and track officials. I call on racetracks around the state to hold themselves to the higher screening standards recently adopted at Santa Anita. This model can save horses' lives."

Santa Anita: no racing to take place until SeptemberCredit: Edward Whitaker

The newly approved legislation would allow the CHRB to immediately call an emergency meeting and take action - if it determines the health and safety of horses or riders are at risk - and then review the suspension of the license within ten calendar days. The legislation also gives the CHRB powers to "change, limit, restrict, or reallocate racing weeks, days, or dates" that were previously allocated.

The horse safety review group examined the past performances of all horses, including any history on the Veterinarian's List and Steward's List, as well as any medical history the CHRB was aware of, and physical observations of the horse when practicable. The panel then advised Santa Anita management if certain horses were considered high-risk.

The Stronach Group, which owns Santa Anita Park, agreed to deny the entry of any such horses and treat the review group's recommendation as the final word.

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