Analysis of Failure to Finish a Race in a Cohort of Thoroughbred Racehorses in New Zealand

The Reporting of Racehorse Fatalities in New Zealand Thoroughbred Flat Racing in the 2011/12-2021/22 Seasons

Race day fatalities as a consequence of catastrophic musculoskeletal injury and cardiac failure are both a welfare concern and provide a challenge for the social perceptions of equine welfare within the racing industry. To reduce race day fatalities, the risk factors under New Zealand racing conditions need to be identified. The aim of this study was to examine race and horse-level risk factors for fatalities in New Zealand Thoroughbred flat racing using retrospective race day data from the 2011/12-2021/22 racing seasons. Horse and race-level factors associated with a suspected cardiac failure and fatal fracture were identified by merging fatality data with the master race dataset for the corresponding seasons. Most fatalities were associated with fatal fracture (0.4 per 1000 starts, 95% CI 0.4-0.5). Horses which raced over distances > 1600 m were 1.7 times (95% CI 1.2-2.5) more likely to sustain a fatal fracture than horses racing ≤ 1600 m. Male horses and firmer track conditions were also associated with an increase in the risk of fatal fracture. Horses aged 5 years and older were 2.1 (95% CI 1.1-4.6) times more likely to suffer a suspected cardiac failure than younger horses. Changes in the industry reporting system improved the level of detail provided for fatalities, enabling the identification of specific risk factors.

A Bioeconomic Model for the Thoroughbred Racing Industry-Optimisation of the Production Cycle with a Horse Centric Welfare Perspective

The Thoroughbred racing industry faces new and competing pressures to operate within a modern, changing society. Three major moderators drive the focus and productivity of the industry worldwide: economic sustainability, horse biology and social licence to operate. This review proposes that despite the apparent homogeneity in the structure of racing across jurisdictions due to international regulation of the sport, there are significant differences within each jurisdiction in each of the three moderators. This creates challenges for the comparison of injury risk factors for racehorses within the industry across different jurisdictions. Comparison of the relative distribution of racing and gambling metrics internationally indicates that the Asian jurisdictions have a high focus on gambling efficiency and high economic return of the product, with a high number of starts per horse and the highest relative betting turnover. In contrast, the racing metrics from the USA have proportionally low racing stakes and fewer horses per race. These differences provide insight into the sociology of horse ownership, with a shift from the long-term return on investment held by most jurisdictions to a short-term transitional view and immediate return on investment in others. Wastage studies identify varying risks influenced by the predominant racing culture, training methods, production focus and environment within individual jurisdictions. Increasing societal pressure to maintain high racehorse welfare and reduce the negative impact of gambling poses fluctuating risks to each jurisdiction's social licence to operate. Based on the data presented within this review, the authors propose that the use of a bioeconomic model would permit consideration of all three moderators on industry practice and optimisation of the jurisdiction-specific production cycle with a horse-centric welfare perspective.

Race-Level Reporting of Incidents during Two Seasons (2015/16 to 2016/17) of Thoroughbred Flat Racing in New Zealand

Simple Summary

Retrospective stipendiary stewards’ reports of race day events during the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 Thoroughbred flat racing season in New Zealand were examined to describe the reasons and outcomes for race day veterinary examinations of horses. Most reports were recorded as non-incident as a result of routine screening or poor performance. The large proportion of poor performance examinations reflected the role of stewards in maintaining racing integrity and animal welfare. The lower incidence of fatalities and injuries reported compared to overseas racing indicates a lower risk profile for New Zealand Thoroughbred racing.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe the incident and non-incident reports of Thoroughbred flat racing in New Zealand. Retrospective stipendiary stewards’ reports of race day events during the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 racing season were examined. The primary injury and reporting outcomes were analysed to assess the horse- and race-level risk factors associated with the occurrence of incident and non-incident reports. The number of incident and non-incident events and binomial exact 95% confidence intervals were calculated per 1000 horse starts. Most reports were for non-incidents and examinations were requested for poor performance (10.3 per 1000 races, 95% CI = 9.5–11.1). Horses running in open-class races had greater odds of having an incident than horses in lower-rating classes. The incidence of musculoskeletal injuries (1.3 per 1000 races, 95% CI = 1.13–1.40) and fractures (0.6 per 1000 races, 95% CI = 0.39–0.74) were low and similar to previous New Zealand reports. There was a low incidence of epistaxis (0.8 per 1000 races, 95% CI = 0.69–0.92) possibly due to trainers screening susceptible horses before entering them in races, due to the regulatory consequences of an episode of epistaxis during a race.

Factors Associated with Fatality in Ontario Thoroughbred Racehorses: 2003-2015

Simple Summary

Ontario’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission records equine racing fatalities through its Equine Health Program. This study examines the 695 Thoroughbred occurrences from 2003 to 2015 with the aim of identifying associations. Deaths occurred within 60 days of a horse racing or being entered or qualified to race. Calculated on the most commonly adopted basis, rates for Ontario Thoroughbreds are high—2.94/1000 starts (all fatalities) and 1.96/1000 (breakdowns only), compared with a global industry breakdown range of 0.29–2.36/1000 starts. The study revealed several significant risk factors, including workload, stage of training, age, sex, stage of career, finish position, race field size, and day of week. Among fatalities were groups where combinations of these risk factors were important, such as being a two-year-old male, un-castrated, and in early training. Probability of fatality fell over the study period in response to increasing awareness through existence of the Program and adoption of new regulations, but remains of concern. All identified associations represent aspects of management and industry structure that are amenable to change with a view to reducing fatalities. A link between fatality and cumulative, non-fatal outcomes should also be considered. An overall approach might view associated factors as sources of physical and psychological stress that, acutely and cumulatively, may influence the liability for adverse outcomes in training and racing.

Abstract

Ontario’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission records equine racing fatalities through its Equine Health Program. The present study examined all Thoroughbred fatalities from 2003 to 2015, inclusive, to identify associations. Official records and details of fatalities were combined in multivariable logistic regression modelling of 236,386 race work-events (433 fatalities), and 459,013 workout work-events (252 fatalities). Fatality rates were 2.94/1000 race starts (all fatalities) and 1.96/1000 (breakdowns only) with an overall rate of 2.61% or 26.1 fatalities/1000 horses. Comparison with published reports reveals rates to be high. Musculoskeletal injury was the predominant complaint and there was a high incidence of horses dying suddenly. Liability was high for young horses early in the season with a differential according to sex and whether a male horse was gelded. Horses undertaking repeated workouts had a higher liability and liability was higher in workouts for horses switching from dirt/synthetic to turf racing and for young horses in sprints. Race distance was not significant but high fatality rates in some large field, distance races combined with effects of age and workload identified groups at particular risk. As field size increased, fatality liability increased for early-finishing horses. Findings suggest jockey strategy could be an important factor influencing fatalities. Probability of fatality declined over the study period. Findings indicate that rapid accumulation of workload in animals early in their preparation is likely to be damaging. Fatality fell toward the end of a season and for horses with a long career history of successful performance; however, horses not exhibiting this robustness and staying power represent the population of greatest concern. Associations may be characterised as representing sources of stress, current or cumulative, and identifying at-risk animals on this basis may be as productive as targeting specific, discrete mechanisms suspected to contribute to individual fatalities.

Preliminary Examination of the Biological and Industry Constraints on the Structure and Pattern of Thoroughbred Racing in New Zealand over Thirteen Seasons: 2005/06-2017/18

This study aimed to examine thirteen seasons of flat racing starts (n = 388,964) in the context of an ecological system and identify metrics that describe the inherent characteristics and constraints of the New Zealand Thoroughbred racing industry. During the thirteen years examined, there was a 2-3% per year reduction in the number of races, starts and number of horses. There was a significant shift in the racing population with a greater number of fillies (aged 2-4 years) having a race start, and subsequent longer racing careers due to the inclusion of one more racing preparation post 2008 (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was an increasingly ageing population of racehorses. These changes resulted in more race starts in a career, but possibly because of biological constraints, there was no change in the number of race starts per season, starts per preparation, or days spelling between preparations (p < 0.05). There was no change in the proportion of horses having just one race start (14% of new entrants), indicating that the screening for suitability for a racing career remained consistent. These data identify key industry parameters which provide a basis for future modelling of intervention strategies to improve economic performance and reduce horse injury. Consideration of the racing industry as a bio-economic or ecological model provides framework to test how the industry may respond to intervention strategies and signal where changes in system dynamics may alter existing risk factors for injury.

Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence and Type of Musculoskeletal Injuries Vary between Two-Year-Old and Older Thoroughbred Racehorses

Simple Summary

Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) remain a concerning cause of racehorse morbidity and mortality with serious ethical and welfare consequences. Previous research examining risk factors for injuries report inconsistent findings. Age is thought to affect the risk of injury, but, to date, there have been no prospective studies specifically comparing injuries between two-year-old versus older horses. We aimed to: (1) determine the incidence of injuries for two-year-old and older horses, and whether this was affected by training track, season, or rainfall, and (2) determine the types of injuries affecting two-year-old and older horses, and whether horses trialled or raced after injury. Data were collected through personal structured weekly interviews with participating trainers over a 13-month period. Data were analysed using Poisson regression. The incidence of MSI in the current study was low (0.6%). The incidence of MSI in two-year-old horses was higher than older horses. Types of MSI varied between two-year-old and older horses and affected whether horses subsequently trialled or raced from 11 to 23 months after injury. A larger proportion of two-year-old horses had dorsal metacarpal disease and traumatic lacerations. A smaller proportion of two-year-old horses had suspensory desmitis, superficial digital flexor tendonitis, proximal sesamoid bone fractures, and fetlock joint injuries than older horses. Training track and rainfall did not affect the incidence of injuries. The season affected the incidence of injuries in two-year-old horses but not in older horses.

Abstract

Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) remain a concerning cause of racehorse morbidity and mortality with important ethical and welfare consequences. Previous research examining risk factors for MSI report inconsistent findings. Age is thought to affect MSI risk, but, to date, there have been no prospective studies comparing MSI in two-year-old versus older horses. This study aimed to: (1) determine the incidence of MSI for two-year-old and older horses, and whether this was affected by training track, season, or rainfall, and (2) determine the types of MSI affecting two-year-old and older horses, and whether horses trialled or raced after injury. A prospective survey was conducted with data collected through personal structured weekly interviews with participating trainers over a 13-month period. Data were analysed using Poisson regression. The incidence of MSI in the current study was low (0.6%). The incidence of MSI in two-year-old horses was higher than older horses (p < 0.001). Types of MSI varied between two-year-old and older horses (p < 0.001) and affected whether horses subsequently trailed or raced from 11 to 23 months after injury (p < 0.001). A larger proportion of two-year-old horses had dorsal metacarpal disease and traumatic lacerations. A smaller proportion of two-year-old horses had suspensory ligament desmitis, superficial digital flexor tendonitis, proximal sesamoid bone fractures, and fetlock joint injuries than older horses. Training track and rainfall did not affect MSI. The season affected MSI in two-year-old horses (p < 0.001) but not older horses. The major limitation was that trainers in this study were metropolitan (city) and our findings may not be generalisable to racehorses in regional (country) areas. Another significant limitation was the assumption that MSI was the reason for failure to trial or race after injury. In conclusion, the incidence of MSI was low in the current study and the types and the risk factors for MSI are different for two-year-old and older horses.

Incidence and risk factors for race-day jockey falls over fourteen years

OBJECTIVES

To determine the incidence of, and risk factors for, race-day jockey falls occurring in Thoroughbred flat and jumps (hurdle and steeplechase) racing.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Incidence rates for race-day jockey falls over 14 racing seasons in New Zealand (n=421,596 race-day starts) were calculated per 1000 rides. Univariable and multivariable analyses of jockey, horse and race level risk factors were conducted with Poisson regression in a generalized linear mixed model.

RESULTS

Most races (97%, n=407,948 race starts) were flat racing with 10 races/race-day, whilst most jumps races were longer and had 2 races/race-day. The rate of jockey falls was higher in steeplechase racing (99.9/1000, 95% CI 92.2-108.4) than hurdle (53.2/1000, 95% CI 48.7-58.3) and flat racing (1.2/1000, 95% CI 1.1-1.3, p<0.001). Experienced athletes (both horse and jockey) had lower IRR. In flat racing, IRR increased linearly with the number of race-day rides by the jockey. In jumps races, IRR increased with a fall in a previous race (IRR 1.5/1000, 95% CI 1.3-1.7, p<0.001). A shorter jumps race distance reduced the IRR of a jockey fall.

CONCLUSIONS

Athlete experience was associated with risk of jockey falls. The linearity of race ride number with IRR and longer distance in jumps racing, indicated that cognitive or physiological fatigue may play a role in the risk of a race-day fall. This data highlights the role sport-specific conditioning programmes may have on reducing risk.

Patterns of Racing and Career Duration of Racing Greyhounds in New Zealand

Simple Summary

There is limited information on the career length and patterns of racing for greyhounds. Performance outcomes, including number of racing starts, career length and the age at which greyhounds finish racing, provide insight into causes of attrition in the greyhound racing industry. To investigate trends in greyhound racing careers a baseline is required. This paper presents results from a retrospective cohort study exploring career duration and patterns of racing of greyhounds in New Zealand.

Abstract

The welfare and wastage of racing greyhounds is a topic of public concern. Little is published about the racing patterns of these dogs in New Zealand. The aim of this study is to describe the pattern of greyhound racing in New Zealand. Data on all race starts between 1 August 2011 and 25 March 2018 were supplied by Greyhound Racing New Zealand. A cohort was created containing dogs that had a racing career between 1 August 2013 and 31 July 2017. Data were collated within a customized Microsoft Access database from electronic records of all racing starts for every dog within the 2013–2016 racing seasons. For this cohort of racing dogs, there were 97,973 race starts across 22,277 races involving 2393 individual greyhounds. The median number of days between racing starts was 7 days (inter-quartile range (IQR): 4–10 days). The median career length was 424 days (IQR: 206–647 days) and the median number of racing starts throughout a racing career was 35 (IQR: 16–59 starts). Dogs of similar ability finished their career at a similar age.

Commercial equine production in New Zealand. 3. The racing and sport industries

The present review examines the commercial production of racing and sport horses in New Zealand, describing the size and scope of the industries, the management and feeding, and the training and wastage of race (Thoroughbred and Standardbred) and sport horses. The number of horses per head of population in New Zealand (30/1000 people) is high by international standards and the main equine industries generate ~2% of national gross domestic product. In New Zealand the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry dominates organised equestrian activity (economically and numerically). Furthermore, this Thoroughbred bias has an influence on equestrian culture and may explain, in part, the high proportion of Thoroughbred sport horses registered for eventing in New Zealand, which is in contrast to other international sport-horse populations. An understanding of the production, management and structure of the racing and sport industries in New Zealand is paramount to ensure the health and welfare of the equine athlete and the continuing success of the industries.

Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Injury during Racing on New Zealand Racetracks 2005-2011

The objective of the study was to determine the incidence of veterinary events that resulted in a horse failing to finish a race and identify risk factors for musculoskeletal injury (MSI) during a race. Data were obtained on Thoroughbred flat race starts in New Zealand between 1 August 2005 and 31 July 2011 (six racing seasons). Stipendiary Steward's reports were key-word searched to identify veterinary events that prevented a horse from finishing a race. Race data were used calculate the incidence of veterinary events per 1000 horse starts and Poisson regression was used to investigate risk factors for MSI. There were 188,616 race starts and 177 reported veterinary events. The incidence of MSI on race day was 0.72 per 1000 starts, whilst the incidence of respiratory events was 0.21 per 1000 starts. The rate of MSI was significantly lower on 'dead' and 'slow' tracks compared with 'good' tracks and significantly greater in longer races (≥1671 m) compared with races of ≤1200 m. The rate of MSI during flat races in New Zealand appears lower than that reported worldwide, which may be due to the management and training of horses in New Zealand or differences in case definitions used in comparable studies.