Breeders’ Cup has released comprehensive safety and integrity protocols for its upcoming championship weekend at Del Mar, according to an announcement issued Wednesday.
Out-of-competition testing began in July with the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit collaborating with the Breeders’ Cup Veterinary Team, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, HISA, and the California Horse Racing Board to test potential contenders for banned substances.
Track preparation has been a key focus of the safety initiative. Del Mar Track Superintendent Dennis Moore and Turf Course Superintendent John Beggin have partnered with Dr. Mick Peterson, Program Director of the University of Kentucky Racetrack Safety Program, to ensure consistent racing surfaces. TurfTrax software has been implemented to monitor turf track conditions.
The Breeders’ Cup Veterinary Review Panel began assessing records of more than 220 potential contenders in early October. This comprehensive review included veterinary and treatment records, training patterns, and physical examinations conducted by regulatory veterinarians across global racing jurisdictions.
Following the October 20 pre-entry deadline, medical records for all domestic contenders underwent a second review by the panel. International contenders submitted their previous 30 days of medical documentation.
Mandatory 24-hour surveillance for all runners commenced at 11 a.m. PT on October 28.
Every Breeders’ Cup participant must undergo a rigorous examination protocol that includes:
- Comprehensive on-site veterinary exams with jog-up assessments and diagnostic technology
- Additional physical examinations using the AI-powered SLEIP app for gait analysis
- In-stall and on-track veterinary monitoring during training sessions
- Mandatory jog-up examinations before entering any Del Mar racing surface
- HISA-mandated pre-race veterinary inspections and monitoring during paddock time and warm-ups
- Extensive pre-race TCO2 testing and post-race testing of the first four finishers
- Observation of all other competitors during cool-down to determine if additional assessment is needed
A complete breakdown of the Breeders’ Cup’s safety and integrity protocols is available on the organization’s official website.
