Chasing safety: Race-day falls and injuries in Irish professional and amateur horseracing from 2016 to 2024

Fall and injury risk varies between types of horseracing, with amateurs at a higher risk of falling, jump jockeys at a higher risk of injury, and flat jockeys at a higher risk of becoming injured as a result of a fall. Injury rates have decreased in professional racing over the course of the study, which could be a result of new safety interventions. However, more targeted approaches may be needed to address persistent injury risk in amateur racing. Amateurs also had the highest proportion of serious injuries such as fractures and concussions, highlighting the need for greater attention towards amateurs.