The summit, which is organized and underwritten by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and The Jockey Club and will be hosted by Keeneland Association on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, will be open to the public and streamed live on jockeyclub.com and grayson-jockeyclub.org.
Those interested in attending the summit can register for free at grayson-jockeyclub.org/WelfareSafety.
The event will again be emceed by Donna Barton Brothers, former jockey and current NBC racing analyst. Brothers is on the advisory board for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the author of Inside Track, an informative guide to horse racing.
Other new topics include an update from the AAEP racing committee, a progress report on biomarker research, and discussions regarding compounded medications, nutraceuticals, lameness, the importance of the physical inspection, and use of the riding crop.
“We are very excited about the topics we have lined up for this year’s Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit,” said Edward L. Bowen, president of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. “The first six summits resulted in meaningful improvements in horse and jockey welfare, and by focusing on such timely, important issues this summit is on target to do the same.”
“We are pleased to once again be able to host such a great event and make it open to the public who can attend in person and available through live streaming to those who can’t be here,” said Bill Thomason, Keeneland president and CEO. “Keeneland has always been an advocate for horse and rider safety, and hosting this welfare and safety summit is one of our commitments to making the industry safer for both.”
Almost 1,500 individuals from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, France, Sweden, and Spain watched the live stream of the sixth Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit, and approximately 200 people attended.
The first Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit was held in October 2006; subsequent summits were held in March 2008, June 2010, October 2012, July 2014, and July 2015.
“I attend all of the summits and find them to be one of the most educational events of the year,” said John F. Wayne, executive director of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission. “I strongly encourage all commissions, industry organizations and others willing to commit to the safety of our equine and human athletes to attend this event.”
