Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced today the agenda for the 12th Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit, which is scheduled for June 29 and June 30 in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion in Lexington, Kentucky, and livestreamed at grayson-jockeyclub.org and jockeyclub.com.
"This year's summit exemplifies the progress we've made since the first summit and enables us to look to the future and how we can further support our equine athletes with data and technology," said Jamie Haydon, president of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and deputy executive director of The Jockey Club. "If you are interested in improving the sport and the welfare of Thoroughbreds, I urge you to watch the livestream."
Agenda for 2026 Welfare and Safety Summit
Monday, June 29
|
Time |
Session |
Speakers |
|
8:30–8:45 |
Welcome and Introduction |
Jamie Haydon, President, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation; Jessica Paquette, Parx Track Announcer (MC) |
|
8:45–9:30 |
Equine Injury Database Update |
Dr. Tim Parkin, Head of Bristol Veterinary School - University of Bristol |
|
9:30–10:15 |
Track Surfaces and Maintenance Reporting |
Dr. Mick Peterson, Director Racetrack Safety Program & Professor, University of Kentucky; Branden Brookfield, On-site Testing Manager, Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory; Jamie Richardson, Track Superintendent, Churchill Downs; Chris Bosley, Assistant Track Superintendent, Churchill Downs |
|
10:15–10:45 |
HISA Technology and Data Integration |
Lisa Lazarus, CEO, HISA; Steve Keech, CTO, HISA |
|
10:45–10:50 |
Break |
|
|
10:50–12:00 |
Regulatory Vet Scratch Process |
Moderator: Dr. Mary Scollay; Dr. Stuart Brown, VP Equine Safety, Keeneland; Dr. Will Farmer, Equine Medical Director, Churchill; Dr. Nick Smith, Chief Racing Veterinarian, KY Racing & Gaming Commission; Barbara Borden, Racing Official, KY Racing & Gaming Commission; Dr. Shari Silverman, Veterinary Liaison, HISA |
|
12:00–1:00 |
Lunch |
|
|
1:00–2:00 |
Aftercare Programs |
Moderator: Erin Halliwell, Executive Director, TCA; Lucinda Lovitt, Executive Director, CARMA; Chris Block, Trainer; Andy Belfiore, Executive Director, NYTHA |
|
2:00–2:45 |
The Racehorse and the Balanced Hoof |
Dr. Scott Morrison, Partner, Rood and Riddle |
|
2:45–3:00 |
Break |
|
|
3:00–4:00 |
Equine Surgeries in the Developing Horse |
Dr. Larry Bramlage, Surgeon, Rood and Riddle; David Ingordo, Bloodstock Agent; Garrett O’Rourke, General Manager, Juddmonte USA; Mark Taylor, President, Taylor Made Farm |
|
4:00–5:00 |
Necropsy and Mortality Reviews |
Dr. Laura Kennedy, Director KY Horse Racing Postmortem Program; |
Tuesday, June 30
|
Time |
Session |
Speakers |
|
8:30–9:30 |
Diagnostic Equipment and Injuries |
Dr. Evan Becker, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute; Dr. Laura Werner, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute |
|
9:30–10:00 |
Stable Analytics |
Ben Bernard, Pin Oak Stud, Stable Analytics |
|
10:00–10:30 |
Stride Safe |
Dr. David Lambert, Stride Safe |
|
10:30–11:00 |
Sleip |
Dr. Jamie Textor, Sleip |
|
11:00–11:30 |
Arioneo |
Valentin Rapin, Arioneo |
|
11:30–12:00 |
Lameness Locator |
Dr. Kevin Keegan, University of Missouri |
|
12:00–12:30 |
Equimetrics |
Sarah Spooner, Equimetrics |
The Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit is underwritten and coordinated by the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and hosted by Keeneland.
Among the major accomplishments that have evolved from the previous summits are the Equine Injury Database; the Jockey Injury Database; the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory; a uniform trainer test and study guide; the racing surfaces white paper and the publication of educational bulletins for track maintenance; the publication of stallion durability statistics; the Hoof: Inside and Out DVD, available in English and Spanish; protocols for horses working off of the veterinarian's list; pre-race examination module; veterinarian's list and pre-race examination module integration into the InCompass Track Manager system for free jurisdictional sharing; recommended regulations that void the claim of horses suffering injuries during a race; and inclement weather protocols.
