Tag Archives: Jockey Club Safety & Welfare Summit 2010

Waiting for the report from the Aqueduct injury task force

“Very soon.” That is when, according to the State Racing and Wagering Board, the report from the task force investigating the breakdowns at Aqueduct this past winter will be released. The task force began its work in March, and when … Continue reading

Brooklyn Backstretch | , , , , , | | Leave a comment

2010 Jockey Club Welfare and Safety Recommendations

So we have meandered our way through the 2010 Jockey Club Welfare and Safety Summit, picking our way through the panels, unhurriedly observing what various elements of the racing industry think about the issues facing the sport. And, finally, we … Continue reading

Brooklyn Backstretch | | | Leave a comment

Summary of the Summit: Transitioning Thoroughbred Racehorses to Second Careers

Moderated by Mike Ziegler, executive director of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance, this panel offered several retirement organizations the opportunity to share the details of their work and inform the audience about the various models of Thoroughbred retirement currently … Continue reading

Brooklyn Backstretch | , , | | - 1 Comment

Summary of the Summit: Racetrack Environment & Safe Training Practices

This session began with a video of a training center in Japan; horses there train over multiple surfaces and over courses of different lengths, and all training is monitored by Japan Racing Association officials.  The process is “highly regulated,” and … Continue reading

Brooklyn Backstretch | | | - 1 Comment

Summary of the Summit: Racing Equipment and Safety

Racing Equipment & Safety Keeneland president and CEO Nick Nicholson talked about racing in relationship to other sports that have an “admitted, inherent risk”; those sports, he said, promote the idea that they are doing everything possible to make the … Continue reading

Brooklyn Backstretch | | | 4 Comments

Summary of the Summit: Equine Injury Database

Equine Injury Database This presentation is the one that has garnered the most attention and coverage, given its preliminary findings about equine injuries.  Dr. Mary Scollay, a veterinarian and equine medical director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, presented the … Continue reading

Brooklyn Backstretch | , | | 3 Comments

Summary of the Summit: Updates from NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance and Thoroughbred Safety Committee

NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance Update Mike Ziegler, executive director of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance, began his presentation by noting that the Alliance had accredited 18 tracks in 15 months.  17 of those tracks were fully accredited; one … Continue reading

Brooklyn Backstretch | | | Leave a comment

Summary of the Summit: Update from the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium

Racing Medication and Testing Consortium Update I offer this report, truth to be told, with more than a little trepidation–my knowledge of the uses and effects of these drugs is close to nil.  I am simply passing on what was … Continue reading

Brooklyn Backstretch | , | | - 1 Comment

Summary of the Summit: Racetrack Surfaces Panel

When I left Brooklyn 12 days, 2,500 miles, and 10 states ago, I knew that I’d visit two racetracks, see lots of friends, meet many horses, research not enough, and, probably, write very little.  I didn’t know that I’d spend … Continue reading

Brooklyn Backstretch | , | | 3 Comments