The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has published its safety statistics for the second quarter of 2025, highlighting trends and developments in equine welfare across the industry.
Increase in Fatalities During Q2 2025
Data from HISA reveal a notable rise in race-related equine fatalities during the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year. The fatality rate for Q2 2025 stands at 1.24 per 1,000 starts, an increase from the 0.76 per 1,000 starts recorded in Q2 2024. For the first half of 2025, the national rate is reported at 1.06 per 1,000 starts, and the 12-month rolling average through June 30 remains at 1.02 per 1,000 starts.
Primary Causes and Contributing Factors
Analysis of the data identifies musculoskeletal injuries as the leading cause of fatalities, accounting for 85% of the cases. Sudden deaths represent 13%, with other causes making up the remaining 2%. Several factors have been linked to the increase in fatal incidents, including horses returning to racing after extended layoffs, previous use of shockwave therapy, recurring unsoundness, prior joint injuries, and a concentration of injuries involving the fetlock joint. Heart arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation have also been noted as contributing factors in some cases.
Comparative and Track-Specific Performance
Despite the quarter-over-quarter increase, the Q2 2025 fatality rate remains 16 percent lower than that reported in Q2 2023, when the figure was 1.48 per 1,000 starts. Among the racetracks monitored, nine reported reduced fatality rates compared to last year, and four—including facilities such as Turf Paradise—reported no fatalities during the period under review.
