Horse Racing Deaths per Year: Facts and Safety Measures

Horse racing is one of the oldest sports in the world. Besides the excitement and crowds, there is a serious question many people are wondering about: how many horses die from racing each year?

This article will examine figures from the US, UK and Australia, reveal the reasons why horses die, point out the most dangerous surfaces, and finally, tell the changes that are going to happen in 2026 to make the sport safer.

How Many Horses Die Each Year in the US?

Horse racing deaths in the US are mostly monitored through two main organizations: The Equine Injury Database (EID) managed by The Jockey Club and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), which took over as the national regulator of the sport in 2022.

Thankfully, the death rate has been declining steadily for more than ten years.

Let's have a look at the death rate in the US in recent years, which has been measured as the number of fatal injuries per 1, 000 starts:

Based on preliminary data, the fatal injury rate was only 1.11 per 1, 000 starts in 2024, which is the lowest level since the start of the records in 2009. This corresponds to a 44% reduction compared to the injury rate in 2009. The figure on tracks where the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has jurisdiction was even lower at 0.90, indicating better safety performance.

At the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority venues, the figure slightly went up to 1.04 in 2025, but was still significantly lower than the one in 2009. Meanwhile, unregulated tracks recorded a 1.21 rate. This clearly indicates that enhanced safety regulations can reduce the number of horse fatalities.

The situation in the UK

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) keeps a record of horses that die at the racecourse or within 48 hours of the injuries sustained in racing. Here is a brief overview of recent years:

While the 0.18% figure for 2023 was a very minor drop, it was still significant. The five-year moving average also declined to 0.20%, which had risen in 2021 and 2022.

Jump racing (steeplechase) is riskier than flat racing. The death rate in jumps races in the UK is about 0.37%, which is higher than in flat racing. Consequently, the BHA has taken steps to decrease the number of horses from 40 to 34 in the Grand National and is mandating more pre-race health checks at several events.

Australia: Record High in 2025

Australia's numbers tell a different story. As per the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) Deathwatch Report, a minimum of 175 racehorses died in Australia between August 2024 and July 2025. Their deaths were due to injuries sustained in races or training. This is the highest figure that the organization has ever recorded since its tracking started in 2014.

Here is the detailed distribution of these deaths in Australia:

The primary reason for death was a catastrophic front limb injury, which accounted for 85 out of 175 cases. Animal welfare organizations have highlighted that a lot of deaths happen away from the racetrack and are not reflected in official stewards' reports. Hence, the actual figure could be significantly higher.

What Causes Horses to Die in Racing?

The following are the main reasons horses die during races or in training:

1. Musculoskeletal injuries (bone and leg injuries)

This is, by far, the main cause. Broken bones and leg injuries constitute over 70% of horse deaths on race days worldwide. The fetlock or ankle joint injuries are very fatal. In 2025, such injuries were responsible for more than 75% of musculoskeletal racing deaths at HISA tracks.

2. Sudden cardiac death

Some horses die from sudden cardiac failure during a race. One study revealed in 2025 that some horses were in atrial fibrillation even when at rest. That highlights the value of early heart screening in potentially preventing these deaths.

3. Internal bleeding

After a race, some horses, such as the case of Amont in Australia in January 2025, collapse and die after rupturing a blood vessel inside the body.

4. Age and overwork

Two-year-old horses and younger ones are more vulnerable to risks. Deaths involving two-year-olds increased from 15 to 21 cases in 2025, which led to a special review by HISA. Besides that, horses that are raced more than twice a month may have around a 20% higher injury rate.

Which racing surfaces are the most dangerous?

Track surface is a very important factor in the safety of horses. Data from the EID indicates a strong pattern:

Dirt tracks, which are the majority in North America, present the greatest risk. Synthetic surfaces, the kind of which is used at some tracks in California and Kentucky, are the safest. Hence, several safety experts are advocating for more tracks to switch to synthetic surfaces.

What Will Change in 2026?

A few key changes and happenings will lead to more safety for horses in 2026:

1. Accurate data gathering

Starting from 2026, HISA is going to increase the granularity of its fatality reports. Additional data will include the condition of the racetrack at the time of the injury and the type of race (for instance, a claiming race) in which a horse died. It will be a great step towards recognising trends and preventing similar deaths in the future.

2. The HISA Equine Recovery Foundation

This nonprofit organization launched only recently in 2026. It is primarily concerned with financing the veterinary and rehabilitation care for horses that sustain injuries and end their careers. Increasingly, helping horses recover is a way to decrease the number of those that have to be euthanized after major injuries.

3. Track-level changes

Turf Paradise in Arizona has been an example of what can be done. After cooperating with HISA on a safety plan, the track slashed fatalities by 88% in 2025. These types of locally-driven measures are being promoted nationwide.

4. More pre-race medical examinations

BHA in the UK will be decreasing the frequency of race events when horses are subjected to pre-race veterinary checks in order to be permitted to run.

Conclusion

According to statistics, horse racing deaths per year have decreased in the US and UK mainly due to improved safety regulations and stricter inspections. In Australia, the number of horse deaths reached a peak in 2024-25.

The data indicate that venues imposing tougher regulations result in fewer fatalities. But, a good number of people think that a single horse's death is unacceptable, which means the discussion about safety in horse racing is still going on.

FAQS

How many horses die in horse racing each year?

The number of horses dying due to horse racing varies from one country to another. In the US, horses that suffered fatal injuries were 1.07 per 1, 000 starts in 2025, while Australia recorded 175 horse deaths in 2024-2025.

Why do horses die in horse racing?

The major reason for horse deaths is severe leg injuries occurred during races or training. Besides that, other causes consist of heart failure, internal bleeding, and injuries associated with overwork.

Are horse racing deaths going down?

Yes, deaths of horses due to racing in a year have been on a downward trend in the US and UK, mainly as a result of enhanced safety measures, track inspections, and more pre-race medical testing.

Which racing surface is safest for horses?

The safest surfaces for horses are synthetic tracks, as they lead to fewer fatal injuries than dirt tracks, which are the riskiest of all.

What changes are coming in 2026 to improve horse safety?

Racing organizations will be carrying out several initiatives in 2026, such as more efficient injury monitoring, additional health screenings, and the provision of improved post-injury care to lower the number of horse racing deaths per year.