We All Must Defend Horse Racing’s Future
The right metric to publicize is “safe completion” rate (99.8%), not fatality count
The following is an updated version of National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback’s quarterly letter that race in the fall edition of the Horsemen’s Journal.
This has been a season of contrasts; record-setting purses and landmark meets across the country on one hand, and pressing legal and regulatory battles on the other that could redefine account wagering, casino partnerships, and the future of Thoroughbred racing itself.
The National HBPA continues to stand at the forefront of the issues shaping our industry.At the core of our mission is a simple but powerful promise: horsemen helping horsemen. Whether it’s the stability of smaller tracks, the preservation of horsemen’s earnings, or legislative debates with far-reaching consequences, the NHBPA is working daily to make sure your voices are heard and your livelihoods protected.
Safety and integrity are non-negotiable. The NHBPA has long advocated for uniform, science-based rules that protect horses, riders, and the integrity of racing. But meaningful reform must also be constitutional, transparent, and economically sustainable.
Unfortunately, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has fallen short on all three counts. Its recent public relations push leaned heavily on selective numbers stating a “slight increase” in fatalities when the underlying data reflects a rise of more than 50%.
Let me be very clear: fatality counts, whether up or down, are the wrong metric to define success in Thoroughbred racing. Measuring our sport by its rarest tragedies is misleading and unfair to the horsemen who work tirelessly to care for and protect their horses.
The proper measure of progress is the percentage of horses that run safely. Every day, across the country, thousands of horses enter the starting gate and complete their races without incident. That “safe completion rate” consistently exceeds 99.8%, which is a safety rating any professional sport would be proud to claim. That is the true story of horse racing and the standard by which reforms should be measured.
If HISA is to justify its immense cost to this industry, it must demonstrate real results in areas that matter: identifying and eliminating intentional doping, improving equine welfare, and enhancing the safe completion rate of races. To date, that proof has been lacking, and horsemen are left footing the bill for a system that punishes the wrong people while highlighting the wrong metrics.
HISA’s current funding model continues to erode horsemen’s earnings, particularly at smaller venues and regional circuits that are already under economic pressure. The rigid enforcement of medication and testing standards without accounting for environmental contamination or trace levels places horsemen at risk of unfair penalties even when there is no intent to enhance performance.
The NHBPA will continue our path forward to advocate for reform that is fair, accountable, and rooted in science. The Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA) offers exactly that. By returning oversight to state racing commissions and recognized industry experts, RHSA ensures collaboration, transparency, and constitutional integrity, while maintaining the highest standards for equine health and safety.
We as horsemen have never opposed reform. In fact, we demand it. But reform must be measured by its impact on both horse welfare and the safe completion rate of races—not by headlines highlighting rare tragedies. This is how we protect our industry and ensure horsemen can continue making a living while maintaining the highest safety standards.
As we are looking ahead, despite challenges, I remain optimistic. Our sport is vibrant, with historic meets, strong wagering, and passionate fans. The NHBPA will continue to work with policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders to safeguard Thoroughbred racing’s future. That means fighting for fairness, advancing science-based reforms, and ensuring that horsemen and women who are the backbone of this industry have a voice in every decision that impacts their livelihoods.
Together, we will focus on what truly matters: horses that run safely, races that uphold integrity, and a future where horsemen thrive alongside the horses they care for.
Sincerely,
Eric Hamelback
CEO, National HBPA
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