The recent FX documentary 'Broken Horses' has cast a spotlight on the historical issues and implications of illegal doping in horse racing.
The presentation attempts to address significant challenges within the industry, particularly focusing on the critical issue of racehorses sustaining life-ending injuries and the urgent need for reforms to address doping and medication use.
As Broken Horses highlights, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority is now providing the sport with independent federal oversight for the first time in history, encompassing comprehensive veterinary protocols, enhanced track and jockey safety, and a stringent anti-doping and medication control program. While not in place to address the devastating clusters of fatalities at Churchill Downs in 2023, we can look forward to a safer future under HISA's leadership integrity.
Strategically released just a week before the Kentucky Derby (G1), the documentary unsurprisingly leans into historical drama and sensationalism to boost viewership, focusing on illegal activities that thankfully resulted in imprisonment for the inexcusable acts.
Reporting did not, however, emphasize a 34% reduction in the equine fatality rate over the last 15 years, the result of the significant progress already made towards safer racing practices.
Additional equine safety changes made in the last 24 months, underrepresented in the documentary's narrative, include:
- Every Thoroughbred is required to have a pre-race veterinary inspection every time it races to help ensure horses with pre-existing injuries do not compete. HISA receives close to 3,000 veterinary treatment reports each day.
- Artificial intelligence is being used to examine compiled data, flagging any horses entered to race who may present potential risk factors for injury. This is similar to how other sports, like the NFL, are utilizing data and AI to enhance player safety.
- Wearable technology has been implemented, similar to that used in human sports, to identify at-risk horses by the algorithms that are generated in the process of training and racing.
- Huge investment in onsite or expedited access to advanced diagnostic imaging like PET scans (an enhanced bone scan), MRIs, and CT scans allow trainers and vets to detect hard-to-identify precursors to injuries.
- There is now a national vets list that places all horses unfit to compete on a comprehensive list that monitors Thoroughbreds throughout their careers.
- The void claim rule deters entry of horses with health or soundness issues into claiming races.
Light Up Racing is in full support of all reforms that will push horse racing to achieve the highest standard in equine welfare and transparency, with the goal of positioning our industry for a sustainable future. A constant pursuit to substantially reduce the fatality rate is non-negotiable.
If you have concerns about horse racing but are interested in gaining a deeper understanding, please contact us. We would be happy to arrange a firsthand look behind the scenes at stables, farms, racetracks, and veterinary hospitals.
Contact:
www.lightupracing.com
hello@lightupracing.com
Flood The Feed Campaign
We are excited to launch a social media campaign and need your help!
For the week leading into the Kentucky Derby, launching Monday, we want to positively influence the social media narrative and mitigate any negativity from Broken Horses.
We are aiming to 'flood the feed' of socials by highjacking hashtags to collectively highlight welfare progress and positive stories of our horses.
This initiative aims to showcase the happy and healthy lives of racehorses, particularly those with a story - perhaps they once participated in the Derby, had extensive racing careers, or have successfully rehabilitated from injuries.
How You Can Help
Share Content Across Platforms: We encourage you to post a 30-second video or photographs accompanied by short stories on any and every social media platform where you are active. These posts should feature thoroughbreds receiving loving care and can discuss the care the horses receive, their life after racing, or any other positive aspects you wish to highlight - keep them authentic, your phone is ideal to use and don't worry about it not looking polished. Natural is best!
Use Hashtags: Enhance visibility by using the hashtags #iwishiwasahorse and #kentuckyderby in your posts. These will link your stories to our broader campaign. If other hashtags appear that need to be addressed, we'll let you know.
Engage Your Network: Spread the word by encouraging your colleagues, friends, and followers to participate. The more voices we have, the broader our reach and impact.
Campaign Start Date: Please start posting your content from Monday, April 29.
This coordinated effort will create a wave of positive, factual content leading into the Derby.
This campaign is not just about countering negative perceptions but is a chance for us to proactively share the heartwarming stories of our industry with the wider public. Your firsthand experiences and stories are powerful tools in reshaping perceptions and illustrating the compassionate care that defines our industry.
Thank you for your efforts! If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to ask.
Together we can make a difference
Light Up Racing Directors
Price Bell
Dr. Jeff Berk
Christina Blacker
Jason Litt
Roderick Wachman
