Santa Anita announces new safety measures following equine fatalities

Santa Anita's owner, the Stronach Group (TSG), has announced several new safety and welfare measures which will be put in place when racing resumes at the track.

Racing and training was cancelled indefinitely at the course – which is due to stage this year's Breeders' Cup – on Wednesday following 21 equine fatalities in ten weeks.

TSG's chief operating officer Tim Ritvo said: "We're looking forward to returning to normal, but it will be a new normal. The safety of our equine and human athletes remains our highest priority.

"We need to work together and continue to create not only our own internal audits, but an open and honest dialogue with all of the stakeholders and evaluate best practices at other racetracks around the world."

Trainers will be required to apply for permission to work a horse at least 24 hours in advance. This is to allow track veterinarians to assist in identifying "at risk" horses through the evaluation of past performances, workout data and inspections.

Santa Anita has also hired additional veterinarians to observe all horses entering and exiting the tracks each morning during training hours.

Highland Reel is just one of the stars to have graced Santa Anita in recent yearsCredit: Edward whitaker

A director of equine welfare position has been created and will be held by an accredited veterinarian. They will be responsible for the oversight of all aspects of equine wellbeing and will lead a new rapid response team for injuries, which will be tasked with conducting transparent investigations of all factors involving the injury, as well the communication of findings to the racing and general public.

As has been implemented at Gulfstream Park – which is also owned by the Stronach Group – Santa Anita will require complete transparency with regard to veterinary records. Veterinary records of a horse must follow it through any trainer or ownership change, including a claiming race or private sale.

"This has worked very well at Gulfstream Park," said Ritvo. "There was some pushback from the trainers at first, but this is the best thing for the horse. Now everyone has bought into the process as they realise they are also on the receiving end of this information intended to understand the full medical history of that horse."

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