A new study published this week in Equine Veterinary Journal explores how key stakeholders in UK and Irish horse racing perceive and manage risk to racehorses on race day, and what these views reveal about the sport’s future.
Titled “Striking a Balance: Stakeholder Perceptions of Risk in Horse Racing,” the study examines the views of veterinarians, regulators, and media professionals across the horse racing industry. Despite a shared concern for horse welfare, it found notable differences in how individuals frame risk, who they believe is responsible, and whether the real issue lies in racing itself, or in how the sport is publicly perceived.
Risk vs Reputation: What’s the Real Issue?
Participants recognised that racing carries unavoidable risks, but opinions diverged on how much more can and should be done to reduce them. Some emphasised the sport’s improving safety record, noting that on-track fatalities in the UK are at an all-time low, and saw public concern as stemming from a lack of understanding. Others called for greater transparency and stronger, science-led reforms to reduce avoidable injuries actively.
One recurring theme was the balancing act between preserving tradition and embracing change. Several stakeholders described the sport as being ‘rooted in the past’, with a resistance to outside scrutiny and a reluctance to evolve. Others expressed frustration that real welfare issues, such as training and management practices behind the scenes, are often overlooked in favour of more visible race day incidents.
Who’s Responsible?
Responsibility for risk was widely debated and frequently shifted. Jockeys, trainers, regulators, horses, and even the public were all named as contributing factors. Some industry insiders described the Thoroughbred as “inherently fragile”, while others pointed to cultural inertia and communication failures as key barriers to progress.
Importantly, the study highlights a growing divide between public perception and industry self-image. Many participants felt that racing is misunderstood by the wider public, particularly by younger or urban audiences who lack hands-on experience with horses. This disconnect, they said, is exacerbated by social media and a general scepticism towards authority.
A Call for Cultural Change
While there was no single view on how to improve safety, the study’s authors conclude that change must go beyond managing statistics or public messaging. What’s needed is a cultural shift, one that brings stakeholders together, embraces science, and sets shared goals around equine welfare.
Animalweb supports ongoing research that helps bridge the gap between public concern and industry practice. This study is a timely and valuable contribution to the debate around social licence, risk management, and the future of horse racing.
