Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcomes for Horses after Retirement from Racing.
Abstract: There is international public concern regarding retirement of racehorses, including the reason for retirement and the outcome for horses after racing. However, there are currently no prospective studies investigating these factors. A recent independent inquiry in Queensland, Australia, highlighted that the true outcomes for horses after retirement from racing are largely unknown. Furthermore, there are currently no measures to monitor the outcome for racehorses and their welfare once they have left the care of the trainer. This study investigated these gaps in knowledge through a weekly survey conducted over a 13-month period. We aimed to evaluate: (1) the incidence of retirement, (2) the reasons and risk factors for retirement and (3) the medium-term (greater than 6 months) outcomes for horses after retirement. Data were collected through personal structured weekly interviews with participating trainers and analysed using negative binomial and logistic regression. There was a low incidence of retirements, namely 0.4% of horses in training per week. The season and training track did not affect the incidence of retirement. Musculoskeletal injuries were the most common reason for retirement (40/110 horses, 36%). Involuntary retirements accounted for 56/100 (51%) of retirements, whereby musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory or cardiac conditions and behavioural problems prevented the horse from racing The odds of voluntary retirement, whereby the horse was retired due to racing form or impending injury, increased with each additional race start (OR 1.05; = 0.01) and start/year of racing (OR 1.21; = 0.03) but decreased with increasing percentage of first, second and third places (OR 0.94; < 0.001). Medium-term follow-up (median 14 months, IQR 11, 18, range 8-21) revealed that most horses (108/110; 98%) were repurposed after retirement, almost half as performance horses (50/110; 46%). Horses that voluntarily retired had 2.28 times the odds of being repurposed as performance horses than those retired involuntarily ( = 0.03). Whether retirement was voluntary or involuntary did not influence whether horses were used for breeding or pleasure. The primary limitation of this study is that our results reflect retirement in racehorses in South East Queensland, Australia, and may not be globally applicable. Furthermore, we were unable to monitor the long-term outcome and welfare of horses in their new careers. It is vital that the industry is focused on understanding the risks for voluntary rather than involuntary retirement and optimising the long-term repurposing of horses. There is a need for traceability and accountability for these horses to ensure that their welfare is maintained in their new careers.
Publication Date: 2021-01-11 PubMed ID: 33440666PubMed Central: PMC7827103DOI: 10.3390/ani11010142Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research is about the welfare of racehorses in Queensland, Australia. Specifically, the study focuses on their retirement: the reasons for it, its incidence, risk factors associated with it and the outcomes for horses after they stop racing.
Methodology
- The study was conducted through a weekly survey over a 13-month period.
- The information was collected through weekly structured interviews with horse trainers.
- The researchers investigated the incidence of retirement, the reasons and risk factors for retirement, and what happened to horses after they retired.
- The collected data was analysed using negative binomial and logistic regression.
Findings
- The weekly retirement rate was quite low — only about 0.4% of horses in training retired each week.
- The time of year and the training track didn’t have an effect on the retirement rate.
- Musculoskeletal injuries were the most common reasons for retirement, accounting for 36% of cases.
- Involuntary retirements, where conditions like musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory or cardiac conditions, or behavioural problems prevented the horse from racing, made up 51% of the retirements.
- The odds of voluntary retirement, where a horse was retired due to their racing form (performance in races) or an impending injury, increased with each additional race and over the years of racing but decreased with better track records (first, second, and third places).
- Almost all horses (98%) were repurposed after retirement, with about half being used as performance horses. Horses that retired voluntarily were 2.28 times more likely to become performance horses than those who retired involuntarily.
Limitations and Implications
- The main limitation of the study is that the findings are based on racehorses in South East Queensland, Australia, making it unclear if they apply globally.
- The researchers weren’t able track the long-term outcome and welfare of horses in their new careers after retirement.
- The study suggests that there’s a need for better tracking and responsibility in the racing industry to make sure the welfare of horses is preserved throughout their careers and into retirement.
Cite This Article
APA
Crawford KL, Finnane A, Greer RM, Phillips CJC, Woldeyohannes SM, Perkins NR, Ahern BJ.
(2021).
Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcomes for Horses after Retirement from Racing.
Animals (Basel), 11(1), 142.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010142 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, Australia.
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia.
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia.
- Torus Research, Bridgeman Downs 4035, Australia.
- School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia.
- Curtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute, Curtin University, Perth 6845, Australia.
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, Australia.
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, Australia.
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, Australia.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Yokomori T, Ohnuma A, Tozaki T, Segawa T, Itou T. Identification of Personality-Related Candidate Genes in Thoroughbred Racehorses Using a Bioinformatics-Based Approach Involving Functionally Annotated Human Genes. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 20;13(4).
- Legg KA, Gee EK, Breheny M, Gibson MJ, Rogers CW. A Bioeconomic Model for the Thoroughbred Racing Industry-Optimisation of the Production Cycle with a Horse Centric Welfare Perspective. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 30;13(3).
- Crawford KL, Ahern BJ. Investigations into Thoroughbred racehorse welfare in Queensland Australia focused on musculoskeletal injuries and retirement. Anim Front 2022 Jun;12(3):59-62.
- Williams JM, Jordan S, Friend L, Kay E, Edmunds M, Flynn H, Wensley S. A move in the right direction: Tracking the traceability of British Thoroughbreds outside of racing. PLoS One 2025;20(9):e0331968.
- Knox AL, Fenner K, Zsoldos RR, Wilson B, McGreevy P. Owner-Observed Behavioral Characteristics in Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTTBs) in Equestrian Second Careers. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 11;15(14).
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