The professionals perception of risk in horseracing

Those involved in the sport are keen to improve safety, but think the public fails to understand “risk is part of life”

- LUCY ELDER

HOW do people perceive risk in racing and how should those risks be managed? It’s a question the sport has been grappling with for years.

A study published in Equine Veterinary Journal considered how people connected to racing perceive and manage risks to horses on racedays.

Vet student Jessie McCarthy spoke to professionals from three groups whose views have not been studied. These are vets, media and those making decisions about the sport (governance officials).

She interviewed four from each group, an even split of men and women. Seven were mainly involved in racing in the UK, five in Irish racing. Most had an equestrian or rural background, and all had between six and 30-plus years of industry experience.

Three main themes emerged: managing risk, or managing the message, the balance between tradition and progress on reducing risk and attributing responsibility, and the public disconnect.