On the Lead Podcast--Horse Racing's North Star: The 20-Year Mission to Keep Our Athletes Safer

This episode of the On The Lead podcast, produced by In The Money Media in partnership with the Jockey Club, marks the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit held in 2006. Hosts Peter Thomas Fornatal and Shannon Kelly are joined by Jamie Hayden, President of the Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation, and Dr. Sue Scolet, a leading equine safety expert and consultant. The conversation centers on the transformative journey of horse racing toward improved equine welfare, driven by data, collaboration, and systemic reforms. Key advancements include the creation of the Equine Injury Database, standardized pre-race exams, a unified national veterinarians' list, and the Racing Surfaces Testing Lab—each contributing to a 47% reduction in racing fatalities since 2006. The episode highlights how cultural shifts, technological innovation (like PET scans and AI-controlled irrigation), and regulatory standardization through HISA have collectively elevated safety across the sport. The hosts emphasize that while zero fatalities may be an aspirational North Star, the progress made proves that proactive, science-based decision-making is not only possible but essential for the sport’s future. The episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective: the next five years will likely see even greater diagnostic precision, earlier injury detection, and improved recovery outcomes thanks to advanced imaging and data analytics. The hosts express pride in the industry’s evolution from a reactive stance to a proactive, unified effort focused on the horse’s well-being. They invite listeners to explore archived summit proceedings on the Grayson Jockey Club’s YouTube channel and to tune in live to the upcoming 2026 summit at Keeneland. The tone is hopeful, informative, and deeply committed to the long-term sustainability of horse racing through ethical and scientific advancement.