Keeneland was founded with the mission to put the best interests of the horse first. Throughout our history, the safety of horse and rider has been priority No. 1. Toward that goal, Keeneland has invested significantly in state-of-the-art technology to provide the most consistent racing surfaces possible and in initiatives that advance health and welfare research to benefit horse and rider; funded Thoroughbred aftercare initiatives; and been among the first to participate in databases that track equine and jockey injuries to promote transparency and study.
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.
Safety and medical teams have released new details in the tragic incident that resulted in the death of exercise rider Callie Witt, 20, on Friday morning on the
Callie Witt, 20, an exercise rider for trainer Joe Sharp, died Friday morning following a training accident on the Keeneland training track. The incident occurred
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) yesterday hosted its fourth quarter board meeting for its fiscal year 2022 and the first under the leadership
Number of Horses on Track: 8975 Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 1519 Number of Starters: 1271 Number of Racing Incidents: 7
Number of Horses on Track: 649 Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 155 Number of Starters: 103 Dirt Moisture Content: 23.3% Turf Moisture Content: 44.3% Going Stick Penetration: 6.04 Number of Racing Incidents: 1
Number of Horses on Track: 3464 Number of Horses Workout: 50 Number of Starters: 102 Dirt Moisture Content: 26.3 Turf Moisture Content: 46.5 Going Stick Penetration: 5.3 Number of Racing Incidents: 0
Number of Horses on Track: 487 Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 138 Number of Starters: 89 Dirt Moisture Content: 24.3 Turf Moisture Content: 44.2 Going Stick Penetration: 6.89 Number of Racing Incidents: 0
Number of Horses on Track: 626 Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 75 Number of Starters: 68 Dirt Moisture Content: 24.8 Turf Moisture Content: 52.2 Going Stick Penetration: 5.82 Racing Incidents: 1
Number of Horses on Track: 550 Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 23 Number of Starters: 71 Dirt Moisture Content: 23.9% Turf Moisture Content: 51.3% Going Stick Penetration: 5.94 Racing Incidents: 0
Number of Horses on Track: 602 Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 144 Number of Starters: 89 Dirt Moisture Content: 20.6% Turf Moisture Content: 43.7% Going Stick Penetration: 5.99 Racing Incidents: 0
Number of Horses on Track: 482 Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 168 Number of Starters: 106 Dirt Moisture Content: 20.1 Turf Moisture Content: 44.2 Going Stick Penetration: 5.74 Racing Incidents: 1
Number of Horses on Track: 448 Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 68 Number of Starters: 72 Dirt Moisture Content: 20.6% Turf Moisture Content: 39.7% Going Stick Penetration: 7.07 Number of Incidents: 2
Number of Horses on Track: 491 Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 68 Number of Starters: 82 Dirt Moisture Content: 25.4% Turf Moisture Content: 50.7% Going Stick Penetration: 6.29 Number of Incidents: 0
Number of Horses on Track: 501 Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 110 Number of Starters: 92 Dirt Moisture Content: 21.3% Turf Moisture Content: 48.1% Going Stick Penetration: 6.74 Number of Incidents: 0
Number of Horses on Track: 501 Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 197 Number of Starters: 85 Dirt Moisture Content: 21.1 Turf Moisture Content: 44.3 Going Stick Penetration: 6.67 Number of Incidents: 1
Number of Horses on Track: 432 Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 110 Number of Starters: 82 Dirt Moisture Content: 21.8% Turf Moisture Content: 38.4% Going Stick Penetration: 7.22 Number of Incidents: 0
Number of Horses on Track: 486 Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 53 Number of Starters: 66 Dirt Moisture Content: 19.7% Turf Moisture Content: 43.7% Going Stick Penetration: 7.7 Number of Incidents: 0
Number of Horses on Track: 521 Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 27 Number of Starters: 76 Dirt Moisture Content: 21.5% Turf Moisture Content: 41.3% Going Stick Penetration: 8.1 Number of Incidents: 0
Number of Horses on Track: 464 Number of Horses with Timed Workout: 133 Number of Starters: 88 Dirt Moisture Content: 21.1% Turf Moisture Content: 36% Going Stick Penetration: 7.88 Number of Incidents: 1
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 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.
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.
Keeneland has implemented 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.
Here is a look at additional safety measures in place for the horses who compete at Keeneland.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Here is a look at additional safety measures in place for the horses who compete at Keeneland.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 implements a number of policies regarding racing equipment for both horse and rider.
Keeneland's history with safety initiatives
In partnership with the KHRC and Jockeys' Guild
The aftercare of Thoroughbreds is of the utmost importance to Keeneland, and Keeneland champions these initiatives for the betterment of the sport.
Keeneland is honored to have been involved in the passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) in December 2020. This legislation marks a landmark moment for Thoroughbred racing’s ongoing efforts to ensure horses run under the safest and most transparent conditions possible and to protect the integrity of the sport for our athletes, horsemen and fans. The independent Authority established by HISA will bring a level of consistency and accountability that will improve racing for years to come as they work to develop and implement uniform anti-doping, medication control and operational measures.
Phone: (859) 254-3412 Toll Free: (800) 456-3412 Fax: (859) 255-2484
Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Transparency in Coverage Rule ©2022 Keeneland Association, Inc. All Rights Reserved