The sixth Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit, held July 8 in Lexington, Kentucky, placed an emphasis on racetrack surfaces, equine and jockey injury databases, continuing education, and post-mortem programs.

The conference, held in the Keeneland Race Course sales pavilion, once again brought together a cross-section of the Thoroughbred industry, including owners, breeders, horsemen, veterinarians, jockeys, track managers, and regulators. Approximately 200 people attended the summit and an international audience watched the entire program on a live video stream.

Like the five previous summits held in October 2006, March 2008, June 2010, October 2012, and July 2014, this summit was underwritten and coordinated by The Jockey Club and Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and hosted by Keeneland Association.

"Today’s summit proved once again how initiatives created at prior summits are benefitting our athletes and our industry today," said Edward L. Bowen, president of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. "I believe that those initiatives and some of the ideas and technologies discussed at this summit will have a positive impact on the welfare and safety of racing’s athletes in the years to come."

Keeneland President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Thomason added, "The Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit consistently proves to be a source of invaluable information and significant initiatives to improve the welfare and safety of our athletes. Keeneland is proud to have once again hosted an event that is so important for protecting the human and equine athletes in our sport."