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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Association of Thoroughbred Racehorse Workloads and Rest Pra...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(11); 3130; doi: 10.3390/ani11113130

Association of Thoroughbred Racehorse Workloads and Rest Practices with Trainer Success.

Abstract: Understanding the relationship between the training practices of Thoroughbred racehorses and race performance is important to ensure advice given to trainers for injury prevention or management is practical and consistent. We assessed associations between intended volume and speed of gallop training (i.e., typical workloads for horses free of injury or other performance limiting conditions) and rest practices on official trainer career and previous season success rates (rate of wins and places, prizemoney per start). Sixty-six Australian Thoroughbred trainers were surveyed. Multivariable negative binomial regression models were employed for the outcomes career and previous season wins and places, and linear regression models for prizemoney per start. Intended training workload was not associated with prizemoney. Pre-trial total galloping distances (≥13.3 m/s) between 7500 m and 15,000 m were associated with a higher rate of career wins, and previous season wins and places per start ( < 0.05). Slow-speed (13.3-14.3 m/s) galloping distance to trial between 5000 m to 12,500 m was associated with higher rate of career placings per start, with reduced performance over 12,500 m ( = 0.003). Greater time between race starts was associated with a greater rate of previous season wins and prizemoney per start until three weeks between starts, with decline in performance thereafter ( < 0.05). Greater frequency of rest breaks was associated with greater prizemoney per start earnt in the previous season ( ≤ 0.01). These results suggest that modifications to training programs aimed at injury prevention, such as avoiding long galloping distances, should not adversely affect trainer success.
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Publication Date: 2021-11-01 PubMed ID: 34827862PubMed Central: PMC8614314DOI: 10.3390/ani11113130Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study investigates the correlation between the training habits of Thoroughbred racehorses, their performance in races, and the success rates of their trainers. It provides insight to trainers on injury prevention while maintaining good performance.

Study Background and Aim

  • The study aimed to understand the relationship between how Thoroughbred racehorses are trained, including workload and rest practices, and how they perform in races.
  • By understanding this relationship, advice could be provided to trainers that is practical, consistent and effective for both performance and injury prevention.

Study Methodology

  • 66 Australian Thoroughbred trainers were included in the survey, and the training volume, speed and rest practices applied to their horses were assessed.
  • The success rates of the trainers, both in their career and in the previous season, were assessed in relation to win and place rates, as well as prize money per start.
  • A combination of multivariable negative binomial regression models and linear regression models were used to analyse these relationships.

Key Findings

  • There was no detected association between the proposed training workload and the amount of prize money won.
  • Pre-trial galloping distances, conducted at high speeds, between 7500m and 15000m were linked with a higher rate of career wins and placing in races during the previous season.
  • A slower galloping speed was linked with more career placings if the distance to trial was between 5000m and 12500m. However, performance was seen to decrease if the distance exceeded 12500m.
  • A longer interval between race starts was associated with better performance and more prize money until the rest period reached three weeks. Performance declined if the rest period was longer than this.
  • A more frequent rest break schedule was also associated with more prize money earned in the previous season.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The findings suggest that changing training programmes to prevent injury, such as preventing overly long galloping distances, will not adversely affect the success of the trainer.
  • These correlations can help to formulate training guidelines, providing advice on workloads, rest practices and injury prevention, which will not compromise a horse’s racing performance or trainer’s success.

Cite This Article

APA
Morrice-West AV, Hitchens PL, Walmsley EA, Wong ASM, Whitton RC. (2021). Association of Thoroughbred Racehorse Workloads and Rest Practices with Trainer Success. Animals (Basel), 11(11), 3130. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113130

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 11
PII: 3130

Researcher Affiliations

Morrice-West, Ashleigh V
  • Equine Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Hwy Werribee, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia.
Hitchens, Peta L
  • Equine Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Hwy Werribee, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia.
Walmsley, Elizabeth A
  • Equine Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Hwy Werribee, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia.
Wong, Adelene S M
  • Equine Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Hwy Werribee, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia.
Whitton, R Chris
  • Equine Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Hwy Werribee, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia.

Grant Funding

  • N/A / University of Melbourne, Racing Victoria Ltd., Victorian Racing Industry Fund, Australian Government Research Training Program scholarship

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Bennet ED, Parkin TDH. Anomalous Incidence of Fatal Musculoskeletal Injury in North American 2-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses in the Year 2020. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 9;13(16).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13162572pubmed: 37627362google scholar: lookup
  2. Schrurs C, Blott S, Dubois G, Van Erck-Westergren E, Gardner DS. Locomotory Profiles in Thoroughbreds: Peak Stride Length and Frequency in Training and Association with Race Outcomes. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 24;12(23).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12233269pubmed: 36496790google scholar: lookup
  3. James C, Sheahan J, Arthur P. Stable Levels of Thiol-Oxidised Plasma Albumin, a Biomarker of Oxidative Stress, Is Correlated with Enhanced Performance in Australian Thoroughbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Dec 12;15(24).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15243580pubmed: 41463865google scholar: lookup
  4. Schrurs C, Dubois G, Van Erck-Westergren E, Gardner DS. Cardiovascular Fitness and Stride Acceleration in Race-Pace Workouts for the Prediction of Performance in Thoroughbreds. Animals (Basel) 2024 Apr 29;14(9).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14091342pubmed: 38731345google scholar: lookup
  5. Wong ASM, Morrice-West AV, Hitchens PL, Whitton RC. The association between Thoroughbred racehorse training practices and musculoskeletal injuries in Victoria, Australia. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1260554.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1260554pubmed: 37941814google scholar: lookup
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