Santa Anita Park concluded its six-month 2023-24 Winter-Spring season on June 16, which when combined with the six-week Fall Meet from 2023, produced a safety record of 99, 97%, making the 1/ST Racing facility the safest track in North America among countries with comparable racing and training volume.
From Fall Meet Opening Day on September 29, 2023 until Hollywood Meet Closing Day on June 17, 2024, 6,678 horses raced on Santa Anita’s main tracks and turf fields . The 99.97% safety score ranks Santa Anita the highest in the world with a similar schedule.
Santa Anita Park’s record is highlighted by a 90% improvement in racing fatalities over the past five years since historic reforms to modernize the sport of Thoroughbred racing were implemented. presented by 1/ST Racing, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) and industry stakeholders.
In addition to hosting some of the nation’s most prestigious races, Santa Anita Park is also home to one of the largest training facilities in the country, operating year-round with more than 375,000 training sessions per year.
“The diligence the entire racing community has put into prioritizing horse safety above all cannot be overstated,” said Nate Newby, SVP and General Manager of Santa Anita Park. “From owners, trainers, jockeys, veterinarians and the hardworking men and women who care for their horses every day, everyone has contributed to ensuring the safety of our North Star.” we.
“Winter is always a challenge with the weather and we have a large racing team at Santa Anita Park, led by veteran Dennis Moore, whose tireless efforts and countless long days are extreme.” extremely important.” Newby continued. “We are grateful to the CHRB for their steadfast leadership in putting the welfare of horses first, and especially to our jockeys who continue to support Santa Anita Park to help We all continue our efforts to lead this industry.”
“Santa Anita Park veterinarians have performed nearly 6,400 pre-work horse examinations at Santa Anita since September 1 of last year,” said Dionne Benson, Director of Veterinary Medicine for 1/ST Racing. ”. “Close monitoring has created additional opportunities for everyone to work in the best interest of horses. We are pleased that HISA adopted many of Santa Anita Park’s and California’s protocols last year, so the level The overall safety of the sport has improved.” all the country.”
Live racing will return to the Arcadia oval at Santa Anita Park on Friday, September 27 for the Fall Meet with the inaugural California Crown marking the opening weekend of the five-week season .
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