Race-related fatalities in U.S. jump racing, 2023-2025: incidence and documentation across public reporting sources.

Abstract

Background: Fatality reporting in National Steeplechase Association (NSA)-sanctioned U.S. jump racing is distributed across several public sources, and no single source consistently links the race incident with the final clinical outcome.

Aims/objectives: To identify and verify race-related fatalities associated with NSA-sanctioned jump-racing starts, compare documentation across public sources, and estimate minimum confirmed fatality incidence.

Methods: The study population included official starters in completed NSA-sanctioned hurdle/fence and timber races during 2023-2025. Potential fatalities reported by Horseracing Wrongs (HRW) were matched to final NSA results and verified using Equibase records and public NSA steward reports when available. Fatality incidence was calculated per 1,000 starts with an exact Poisson 95% confidence interval.

Results: Nine fatalities were identified among 3,070 starts, corresponding to 2.93 per 1,000 starts (95% CI, 1.34-5.57). Median age was 6.6 years (range, 5.0-10.8). Six fatalities followed falls, two followed pulled-up or collapse events, and one followed deterioration after the horse completed the race. Equibase documented an immediate race event or adverse incident in eight horses but no final fatal outcomes. HRW identified all nine outcomes, and public NSA steward reports documented seven.

Conclusion: Multisource review identified fatal outcomes not consistently visible in race records alone. A centralized NSA system linking race-related deaths and euthanasias to official starts and final outcomes would improve public fatality reporting.