• Uniform participation by all jurisdictions in injury reporting for both racing and training injuries.


• Investment by all racing venues in capital improvements of the racing oval that will enhance horse, rider and personnel safety, such as safety rails, padded starting gates, and helmets and vests for starting gate personnel.


• Immediate adoption of ARCI riding crop and shoeing standards in all racing jurisdictions and at in-training sales.


• The development in all racing jurisdictions of a program for rehabilitation, retraining and adoption for horses whose racing careers have ended. These programs should reinforce owner responsibility and support a secondary market for racehorses. The Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program in Farmington, N.Y., is an example of successful collaboration between racetrack management and horsemen. Any new programs can be linked nationally with the Unwanted Horse Coalition, currently operated by the American Horse Council.


• The generation of funds by the industry to assist in the transition of horses from racing into second careers.


• Governance change within the horse racing industry to establish uniform regulatory authority to accomplish widespread and consistent compliance throughout the industry.


• Development of continuing education and accreditation programs for owners, trainers, stewards, jockeys, grooms, starters, farriers, veterinarians and security personnel.


Claiming Races


There are essentially two groups of horses that compete at the racetrack. The sport’s top level competitors, representing approximately 30 percent of the total racing population, compete in stakes and allowance races, while the majority of horses compete in condition or claiming races. Because the schedules and physical demands on these two groups of horses are unique and quite disparate, the AAEP recommends the following changes to the structure of claiming races in order to protect the welfare and safety of claiming-level horses:


• Claimed horses must be tested post-race, as is currently the rule in New York. Horses that test positive shall have the claim rescinded at the discretion of the buyer.


• No claiming race should have a purse that exceeds the claiming price by more than 50 percent.


• If a horse is claimed, it shall not start in a claiming race for a period of 30 days since the date of claim for less than 25% more than the amount for which it was claimed.


• When appropriate, horses must demonstrate a work between races that displays fitness and soundness.


• Horses that do not finish the race or those that sustain a catastrophic injury during the race remain the property of the original owner.


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