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Equine veterinary journal2006; 38(2); 113-118; doi: 10.2746/042516406776563305

Factors associated with failure of thoroughbred horses to train and race.

Abstract: The low productivity associated with training and racing of young Thoroughbreds (TBs) in the UK due to athletic inability, injury and disease requires further study. Objective: To identify the time points and causes of losses during growth and training phases of a cohort of 1022 TB foals born in 1999 up to the end of their third year. Methods: Movement and fate of 1022 Thoroughbred foals conceived in 1998 and born live in 1999 were monitored from birth to age 3 years. Those (n = 562) that entered training age 2 and/or 3 years with one of 161 registered trainers in Britain or Ireland in 2001/2 were analysed as to their subsequent performance and the incidence of 9 common injuries or infective or metabolic illnesses. Results: Of the 1022 foals identified, 537 (52%) entered training at age 2 years, 289 (28%) were exported, 60 (6%) were kept as 'stores' for National Hunt (NH) racing, 58 (6%) died or were destroyed, 25 (2%) were waiting to enter training at age 3 years, 17 (2%) were never intended for racing and 36 (4%) were untraceable. Race records showed that 327 (61%) of the 2-year-olds in training competed one or more times, 95 (18%) won and 165 (31%) were placed. Only 28 (5%) earned enough prize money to cover their training fees. Sore shins and inflammatory airway disease (IAD) were the 2 ailments most commonly encountered. In 2002, 431 (80%) of the previous year's 2-year-olds remained in training aged 3 years and 25 entered training having not raced previously. Of the 456 3-year-olds in training, 347 (76%) raced one or more times 138 (30%) won, 218 (48%) were placed and 78 (17%) recouped their training fees. Joint problems and sore shins were the ailments most commonly suffered and, with the exception of rhabdomyolysis ('tying up'), colts and geldings suffered a higher rate of muscloskeletal injuries than fillies. Conclusions: Previous reports of high nonrun and nonplaced rates, high incidence of injury and cost-ineffectiveness of 2-year-olds in flat-race training were confirmed. Conclusions: This study lays the basis for further studies of the facets involved in wastage.
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Publication Date: 2006-03-16 PubMed ID: 16536379DOI: 10.2746/042516406776563305Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

This paper studies the factors contributing to lack of productivity among training and racing thoroughbred horses in the UK by analysing the fate and performance of a cohort born in 1999, up to their third year. The research shows that a significant number of horses either do not race, do not place, or do not cover their training fees due to common injuries or illnesses, thereby confirming previous reports on the subject.

Objective and Methods of the Research

  • The research aimed to find out the reasons behind the low productivity of young Thoroughbred horses (TBs) in the UK. The researchers wanted to learn more about the frequency and causes of losses during the growth and training phases of these horses.
  • To achieve this, the researchers followed 1022 Thoroughbred foals born in 1999 until they turned three years old. They paid particular attention to those horses that entered training at age 2 and/or 3 with registered trainers in Britain or Ireland in 2001/2002.
  • The study investigated the performance of these horses and the occurrence of nine common injuries or illnesses. The movement and fate of each foal were tracked until they reached three years of age.

Results of the Study

  • Out of the 1022 foals identified, only 52% entered training at age 2 years. Others were exported (28%), kept for National Hunt racing (6%), died or were destroyed (6%), were waiting to enter training at age three (2%), were never intended for racing (2%), or were untraceable (4%).
  • A thorough analysis of race records found that only 61% of the two-year-olds in training participated in one or more races, with 18% winning and 31% placed. Significantly, only 5% earned enough in prize money to cover their training expenses.
  • The study found that the most common ailments among the horses were sore shins and inflammatory airway disease. These health issues increased the likelihood of low productivity in the horses.
  • Additionally, the study showed that 80% of the previous year’s two-year-olds remained in training at age three, and a substantial number of three-year-olds (76%) raced at least once with a 30% win rate. However, only 17% of these horses made enough money to cover their training fees. Joint problems and shin injuries were the most common ailments suffered by these horses.

Conclusion

  • The research confirmed earlier reports about high nonrun and nonplaced rates, a high incidence of injuries, and the cost-ineffectiveness of training two-year-old Thoroughbreds for flat racing.
  • The study provides a base for further investigations into the factors contributing to wastage in the training and racing of young Thoroughbred horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Wilsher S, Allen WR, Wood JL. (2006). Factors associated with failure of thoroughbred horses to train and race. Equine Vet J, 38(2), 113-118. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406776563305

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 38
Issue: 2
Pages: 113-118

Researcher Affiliations

Wilsher, S
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Allen, W R
    Wood, J L N

      MeSH Terms

      • Age Factors
      • Animals
      • Cohort Studies
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / economics
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horses / injuries
      • Horses / physiology
      • Lameness, Animal / economics
      • Lameness, Animal / epidemiology
      • Male
      • Musculoskeletal Diseases / economics
      • Musculoskeletal Diseases / epidemiology
      • Musculoskeletal Diseases / veterinary
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal / economics
      • Respiratory Tract Diseases / economics
      • Respiratory Tract Diseases / epidemiology
      • Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
      • Sex Factors
      • Sports
      • Wounds and Injuries / economics
      • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology
      • Wounds and Injuries / veterinary

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