Jockey Club creates injury database

LEXINGTON, Ky., July 22 (UPI) -- The new Equine Injury Database system will track injuries to racehorses everywhere in the United States, the Jockey Club announced Tuesday.

Public concern about injury has grown since 2006 when Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was injured in the Preakness and euthanized after months of treatment. This year, a filly, Eight Belles, stumbled after coming in second in the Derby and was euthanized in front of a national television audience.

The Jockey Club said that the goal of the database is to record all injuries in a standardized format, to determine what factors in horses' breeding or training are associated with injuries and to find ways of preventing and treating injuries.

"The creation and launch of the Equine Injury Database system fills a glaring void in our industry," said Stuart Janney III, head of the Thoroughbred Safety Committee. "We are encouraged by the interest and support received from racetracks during the pilot phase of the project, and we strongly recommend the same level of support and participation now that the system is fully operational."