Maryland racetracks compare favorably based on EID statistics

Maryland’s Thoroughbred racetracks in 2024 reported a racing fatality rate lower than the national rate, which was the lowest recorded since the 2009 launch of the Equine Injury Database.

The national rate, which includes dirt, turf and synthetic surfaces, was 1.11 fatalities per 1,000 starts, down 15.9% from 2023 and 44.5% from 2009.

Laurel Park reported a rate of 0.94 per 1,000 starts, up slightly from 0.74 in 2023 but the second-lowest in 16 years of statistics. The rate for turf was 1.17 per 1,000 starts and 0.86 per 1,000 starts for dirt. Pimlico Race Course and the Maryland State Fair at Timonium reported zero racing fatalities.

The Maryland tracks fall under the jurisdiction of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, which earlier this year said tracks covered by HISA had a racing fatality rate of 0.90 per 1,000 starts. The EID stats are based on injuries that resulted in fatalities within 72 hours from the date of the race.

‍