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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Striking a Balance: Stakeholder Perceptions of Risk in Horse...
Equine veterinary journal2025; doi: 10.1111/evj.14561

Striking a Balance: Stakeholder Perceptions of Risk in Horse Racing.

Abstract: Thoroughbred racing is a major industry, and in recent years, public concerns about equine safety have become more prominent, particularly in relation to on-track injuries and fatalities. This has challenged the industry's social licence to operate (SLO). Objective: To investigate and elucidate how UK and Irish racing stakeholders perceive risks to racehorses on race day and how those risks should be managed. Methods: Qualitative analysis of stakeholder perspectives using a constructionist approach. Methods: Twelve stakeholders from veterinary, communication and regulatory sectors within racing in the UK and Ireland were interviewed. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Three key themes were developed 'Managing Risk, or Managing the Message?', 'The Balance between Tradition and Progress on Reducing Risks', and 'Attributing Responsibility and the Public Disconnect'. Participants framed risk according to public misunderstanding and effective communication, while others placed increased emphasis on welfare risks and proactive mitigation measures. Some participants viewed 'accidents' as unavoidable, others believed that more could be done to minimise avoidable risk. Attribution of responsibility was directed towards various industry stakeholders including trainers, jockeys, regulators and the public. Interviewees noted the industry to be rooted in tradition and slow to adapt to changing expectations. Conclusions: Familiarity between the interviewing researcher and some participants may have encouraged open discussion but could have influenced how responses were framed. Conclusions: Stakeholders framed risk in ways shaped by public expectations, culture, tradition and lived experience. There is shared concern for equine welfare and a desire for improved safety measures in conjunction with management of public perceptions. For a sustainable future, internal divisions must be resolved, shared goals established, and proactive engagement with science pursued to safeguard equine welfare and sustain public support. 背景: 纯血马赛马是一项重要产业, 近年来, 公众对马匹安全的关注日益增加, 尤其是在赛道受伤和意外死亡事件方面. 这种关注已对该行业的社会运行许可(social license to operate, SLO)构成挑战. 目标: 研究并阐明英国和爱尔兰赛马利益相关者如何看待比赛日马匹所面临的风险, 以及应如何管理这些风险. 研究设计: 采用建构主义方法对利益相关者的观点进行定性分析. 方法: 对来自英国和爱尔兰赛马界的兽医、传播和监管领域的 12 位利益相关者进行了访谈. 对半结构式访谈内容采用反思性主题分析法进行分析. 结果: 研究归纳出三个重要主题: “是管理风险, 还是管理信息?”, “在降低风险中寻求传统与革新的平衡”, 以及“责任归属与公众脱节”. 部分受访者从公众误解和有效沟通的角度来分析风险, 也有部分受访者更强调福利风险以及主动的防范措施. 一些受访者认为“事故(accidents)”不可避免, 另一些受访者则认为仍有更多措施可被采取去尽量减少可避免的风险. 在责任归属方面, 受访者认为责任应涉及各个从业利益相关者, 包括教练、骑师、监管者及公众. 受访者指出赛马行业根植于传统, 因此在适应不断变化的社会期望时相对缓慢. 主要局限性: 研究者与部分受访者之间的熟悉关系可能有助于坦诚对话, 但也可能影响了回答的表述方式. 结论: 利益相关者对于风险的定义受公众期望、文化、传统和自身经历的影响. 受访者普遍关心马匹福利, 并希望在管理公众认知的同时加强安全措施. 为了行业可持续发展, 从业者须解决内部分歧, 确立共同目标, 并积极引入科学依据, 来保障马匹福利与维系公众支持.
© 2025 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-07-07 PubMed ID: 40620154DOI: 10.1111/evj.14561Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research looks into the perceptions of various stakeholders in UK and Irish horse racing regarding race day risks to horses and how these should be managed. The study concludes that these stakeholders’ views on risk management are largely shaped by the public’s expectations, cultural factors, tradition, and individual experiences, and calls for a unified approach to enhancing horse safety and public support for the industry.

Objective of the Research

  • The aim of the research was to explore the views and perceptions of different UK and Irish racehorse stakeholders on how risks to horses on race days are seen and should be managed. This comes in the wake of increased public concern about horse safety, particularly relating to on-track injuries and fatalities.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers conducted qualitative analysis of stakeholder opinions, using a constructionist approach—a method that looks at how social phenomena are created through interactions.
  • Twelve stakeholders from the veterinary, communication, and regulatory sectors within the horse racing industry in the UK and Ireland were interviewed.
  • The researchers carried out semi-structured interviews and used a method known as reflexive thematic analysis to interpret the findings.

Key Findings

  • Three main themes were identified from the research: ‘Managing Risk, or Managing the Message?’, ‘The Balance between Tradition and Progress on Reducing Risks’, and ‘Attributing Responsibility and the Public Disconnect’.
  • Some stakeholders framed the risk according to the public’s misunderstanding and the effectiveness of communication, while others emphasized on welfare risks and proactive measures to manage them.
  • There was a mixed feeling whether ‘accidents’ were unavoidable, with some stakeholders believing more can be done to minimize avoidable risk.
  • Interviewees pointed various industry stakeholders—trainers, jockeys, regulators, and the public—as responsible for managing risks.
  • Furthermore, the horse racing industry was acknowledged as being deeply rooted in tradition and slow in adapting to societal changes.

Conclusion of the Research

  • The study concluded that stakeholder views on risk are shaped by diverse factors, including public expectations, culture, tradition, and personal experiences.
  • The researchers assert a shared industry concern for equine welfare and desire for improved safety measures, along with the management of public perceptions.
  • To ensure a sustainable future, the study calls for resolution of internal divisions within the industry, establishment of shared goals, and proactive engagement with science to enhance horse welfare and sustain public support.

Cite This Article

APA
McCarthy J, Cameron-Whytock HA, Bennet ED. (2025). Striking a Balance: Stakeholder Perceptions of Risk in Horse Racing. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14561

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

McCarthy, Jessie
  • School of Biodiversity, One Health, and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
Cameron-Whytock, Heather A
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Bennet, Euan D
  • School of Biodiversity, One Health, and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.

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