The horse racing industry reported its lowest fatality rate in 16 years in 2024, with a 44.5% decline since 2009 and even greater improvements at federally regulated tracks overseen by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA). Despite these gains, welfare advocates highlight that hundreds of horses still die annually at tracks and private training facilities, many of which are not fully accounted for due to inconsistent reporting and limited transparency, especially in states outside HISA’s jurisdiction. Estimates suggest around 1,800 racehorses die each year in the U.S., including those euthanized off-site and at unregulated venues, underscoring ongoing welfare concerns.

The industry’s fractured regulatory landscape results in uneven safety protections, with non-HISA tracks showing nearly double the fatality rates of federally regulated ones. While HISA’s efforts, including new programs like the Equine Recovery Foundation, aim to reduce deaths and improve care, critics argue that accepting horse fatalities as inherent to racing is morally indefensible and threatens the sport’s future. Additionally, the fate of retired racehorses remains troubling, with thousands still slaughtered annually despite aftercare programs. High-profile deaths continue to fuel public scrutiny, emphasizing that while progress has been made, horse fatalities remain a persistent and unresolved issue in the racing world.