Dirt vs. Turf

Question
Statistics may be deceiving, because there are less turf races than dirt races in the United States. Therefore, my question is this: Is the United States the only country that races on dirt? Does Europe or any other part of the world have such catastrophic injuries in thoroughbred racing as I witnessed this weekend at the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs?  

Answer
Katherine,

Every country that has racing has its share of catastrophic injury.  The USA may have a higher rate, but I don't know that there are actually any reliable statistics on breakdowns anywhere except the USA, and those aren't all that reliable, either.  Most other countries don't have any agency to track breakdowns.
Some other countries race on dirt on occasion, but mainly on turf, although many country's train on dirt, even when they race on the turf.
What happened to Eight Belles is tragic and heartbreaking, but it was a horrible accident, nothing more sinister.  Imagine how many times over the years that you have wrenched your ankle just stepping wrong.  Now figure a 1400 lb. horse hitting the ground just a fraction off, on an ankle not much bigger than yours, while traveling at over 35 miles per hour. Unfortunately, it does happen sometimes, and it is the greatest fear of every horseperson that ever sent a horse out to the track, but it does happen sometimes, and it happens in every country that horses race in, not just the USA.    

Stephanie Frost