A Cross-Sectional Survey of the Training and Management of a Cohort of 2-Year-Old Standardbred Racehorses in New Zealand.

The research looks into the training and management practices of two-year-old Standardbred racehorses in New Zealand, delving into possible differences between commercial and amateur trainers.

Research Method

• An online Qualtrics survey was utilised to collect data. The survey was conducted after the 2016/7 racing season and responded to by 154 Standardbred trainers, out of whom, 88 (57%) were training 2-year-olds at the time.

Data Stratification

• The gathered data was divided into two groups based on the type of trainers, public trainers (commercial) and amateur trainers who were licensed-to-train.

Key Findings

• Most 2-year-olds in training had been bred by the trainer themselves, this was particularly true for commercial trainers.
• Public trainers were more likely to break in their own horses (85% versus 64%).
• There was similarity in the training pattern of 2-year-olds between public and licensed-to-train trainers.
• Training was greatly influenced by the convenience factor and the physical maturity of individual horses.

Retirement and Breaks

• The surveyed trainers demonstrated reluctance in retiring any 2-year-old horses.
• Forcing 2-year-olds to take break from training was found to be not common, with an observed prevalence of only 9.1%.

Training Tracks and Practices

• Most trainers utilised 800m oval, crusher dust (“all-weather”) or sand tracks, with a significant percentage of public trainers using banked corners (88% versus 59%) and recording times of horse workouts (79% versus 45%).

Trainer Profile

• The cross-section of trainers displayed a strong bias towards amateur owner/breeder/trainers, having fewer horses, as compared to public trainers, who had a more commercial focus.