Keeneland to Host Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit

[Wandering Eyes]

The 12th Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit will be hosted by Keeneland on Monday, June 29, from 8:30 – 5:00, and Tuesday, June 30, from 8:30 – 12:00, according to a Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation release.

Both days of the event will be free and open to the public in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion and will be livestreamed. Jessica Paquette, track announcer at Parx Racing, will be the emcee.

Topics for the summit include a presentation by Dr. Tim Parkin on the latest statistics from the Equine Injury Database, jockey scale of weights, vet scratches, the racehorse and the balanced hoof, equine surgeries in the developing horses before the racetrack, track surfaces, necropsy and mortality review, aftercare programs, and other issues affecting horse safety.

The session on Tuesday morning will focus on diagnostic equipment and technology being utilized to assist in racing safety. The event will be sponsored by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and The Jockey Club.

The full program and list of speakers will be announced soon.

“This year marks 20 years since the first Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit, a fact I am immensely proud of. These events showcase the progress our industry executes each year while also shedding light on areas of safety and welfare where our continued vigilance remains essential,” said Jamie Haydon, president of Grayson and deputy executive director of The Jockey Club. “Keeneland has been and continues to be a great partner for both The Jockey Club and Grayson. We can't thank them enough for hosting this event again in 2026.”

“These summits have consistently provided meaningful value to our industry, and Keeneland is pleased to host once again this year,” said Shannon Arvin, president and CEO of Keeneland. “Advancing the safety and welfare of both our equine and human athletes remains central to our mission, and it is a commitment that we are proud to uphold.”

Previous editions of the summit can be viewed on Grayson's YouTube page and have received nearly 20,000 views.

Among the major accomplishments that have evolved from the previous summits are the Equine Injury Database, the Jockey Injury Database and the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory.

Additional information about the foundation is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.

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