Born to run? Association between gestational and early‐life exposures and later‐life performance outcomes in Thoroughbreds

that public education is the answer, while others acknowledged welfare risks and called for more tangible measures to reduce the risk horses are exposed to.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 and the public, depending on the participant.While acknowledging advances in horse and jockey safety, there was a tendency for interviewees to describe the industry as fragmented and slow to adapt.Main limitations: The study did not differentiate between National Hunt and Flat racing and is specific to the UK and Irish racing industries.Conclusions: While some stakeholders recognise welfare risks and advocate for proactive measures, the current approach to safety remains fragmented, with a strong focus on public relations.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.