The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced on April 23 a new national campaign called Safety Runs First, an initiative and corresponding website aimed at promoting the sport’s collective commitment This is for safety, welfare and integrity.
Safety Runs First highlights the reforms being implemented in the sport of Thoroughbred Horseracing and their results to date, including the impact of the national regulatory watchdog, the Safety and Integrity Authority Horse Racing itself; emerging technologies and their future applications in equine safety and welfare; new veterinary and monitoring surface protocols; and other measures the sport is taking to enhance safe operations.
More details about these efforts can be seen above saferunfirst.com. A one-minute video showcasing technological advancements is available for viewing.
The campaign and website are designed to be a long-term, ongoing resource for the public as the racing industry increases investment in programs and resources to help reduce the risk of injury and increase safety for its athletes.
“Safety Runs First will be an important part of our sports commitment to transparency and accountability as we continue to strive to find ways to creating the safest possible environment for racing.” “This is an evolution of the program NTRA launched last fall but with significant additional reach and resources, thanks to NTRA member organizations.”
“From the unification of our rules, the enhancement of veterinary protocols and the use of technology,” said Shannon Arvin, NTRA board chair and NTRA president and CEO. , new data and AI, thoroughbred racing is making significant strides in protecting the welfare of our horses.” Keeneland Association “Safety Runs First provides the platform to share this exciting upcoming progress with our fans and the public.”
Produced by creative media agency CTP, the initial advertising campaign will coincide with the 2024 Triple Crown race series and continue throughout the summer and fall. It will launch with national and regional broadcasts, digital advertising, social media and radio.
The release of Safety Runs First precedes the release of this week’s upcoming documentary, “The New York Times Presents: Broken Horses,” which will premiere April 26 on FX and then stream on Hulu . The producers of that documentary advertised that it would examine issues and practices in the sport as well as revisit the decline of horses in Churchill Downs Last spring.
NTRA, headquartered in Lexington and Washington, DC, is a broad-based coalition of more than 100 horse racing interests and thousands of individual stakeholders including jockeys, track operators, owners, Breeders, trainers and affiliated racing associations, are responsible for increasing the popularity, welfare and integrity of thoroughbred racing.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
