The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the Jockeys’ Guild are proud to announce that they will co-host the International Jockey Concussion, Safety, and Wellness Conference, from October 9-11, 2024, in Lexington, KY. The groundbreaking event will serve as a forum for exploring ways to address critical mental wellness, concussion, and medical issues affecting Thoroughbred jockeys and participants in other equestrian sports.

“Ensuring that our athletes have access to the best resources and protocols for concussion management and overall wellness is not just a priority for HISA, but a fundamental responsibility,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “We owe it to these athletes, who dedicate so much to racing, to do everything we can to support them.”   

“The Jockeys’ Guild has long advocated for programs to support jockeys’ stress and challenges, and we’re pleased to be partnering with HISA this year, as we continue to build on our 15-year involvement in the International Conference on the Health, Safety, and Welfare of the jockeys,” said Terry Meyocks, Jockeys’ Guild President & CEO. “We firmly believe insights from this year’s scheduled speakers will aid our collective efforts to further enhance jockey wellness and resources, with a long-term goal to expand mental health programs beyond jockeys to benefit all in our industry.”

The conference’s comprehensive program will feature two days of engaging sessions, including roundtable discussions, presentations and lectures, on topics related to jockey safety and wellbeing, such as The Landscape Around Athlete Health and Concussions and the Crucial Connection Between Brain Health and Nutrition. The information shared, including best practices and potential industry solutions, will be highly relevant to a broad range of attendees, including medical professionals, racetrack safety directors, EMTs and first responders, racetrack management, jockeys and their families, academics, and other racing industry stakeholders.

Among the scheduled speakers are Dr. Margot Putukian, Chief Medical Officer of Major League Soccer, and Dr. Steven Broglio, Director of the University of Michigan Concussion Center and Neurotrauma Research Laboratory, Dr. Shae Datta, Vice Chair of the American Academy of Neurology’s Sports Neurotrauma Section, and Dr. Mark Hart, Cardiologist and FEI Medical Committee Chairman, amongst others. For a full list of speakers, please see the schedule on the conference webpage.

The conference will take place at Fasig-Tipton’s Sales Pavilion in Lexington.

Racing industry participants who are required to meet certain annual continuing education requirements under HISA’s Racetrack Safety Program will be eligible to receive credit for conference attendance. For more details and to register to attend, please visit the conference information page or contact Niki Robb at [email protected].

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