The article emphasizes the horse racing industry’s urgent need to prioritize equine welfare beyond the racetrack, advocating for lifelong care and dignity for horses. It highlights the support of key industry organizations—1/ST, The Jockey Club, and Breeders’ Cup Limited—for the bipartisan SAFE Act (H.R.1661/S.755), which seeks to permanently ban domestic horse slaughter and the export of horses for human consumption. Despite the closure of slaughterhouses in the U.S., over 25,000 horses were exported for slaughter in 2025, underscoring the need to close this loophole and protect horses federally.

These organizations call on the broader racing and equine communities to publicly support the SAFE Act, stressing that animal welfare is both an ethical obligation and essential for the sport’s sustainability. They commend advocacy groups raising awareness and urge Congress to act swiftly, especially as public expectations around animal welfare evolve. The collective message is clear: the future credibility and viability of horse racing depend on a firm, unified commitment to humane treatment of horses throughout and beyond their racing careers.