Prevalence of abnormal radiographic findings in 2-year-old Thoroughbreds at in-training sales and associations with racing performance.

The research article studies the incidence of radiographic abnormalities (lesions) in 2-year-old Thoroughbred racing horses in-training sales, and the effects of these lesions and presale workout times on the horses’ subsequent racing performance. The study reveals that having such lesions does decrease a horse’s chance of starting a race and earning from the race. However, no lesion was found that entirely prevented horses from racing.

Methodology

• The study involved a retrospective analysis of 953 Thoroughbred racehorses.
• The horses’ radiographic images of various joints were examine for abnormalities.
• Horses demonstrating lesions were categorized by the type of lesion and its location.
• Race performance variables of the horses with lesions were compared with horsed that were lesion-free. Performance of horses was also categorized by their 1-furlong presale workout times.

Results

• Out of the investigated horses, 299 showed at least one lesion, while 654 horses showed no detectable lesions.
• Single measurable variable of starting a race and earning money from racing was lower for horses with lesions compared to those with no detectable lesion. Certain types of lesions, such as proximal phalangeal dorsoproximal articular margin chip fractures, were associated with lower lifetime earnings.
• The presence of other specific lesions, like a flattening of the medial femoral condyle, was associated with fewer racing starts by the time a horse was 3 years old.
• Horses clocking workout times of less than 11 seconds were found to have greater odds of lifetime starts, higher lifetime earnings, and higher maximum purse above a certain threshold compared with horses that recorded slower workout times.

Conclusions

• The study found no radiographic lesions which would entirely prevent a horse from racing.
• Among horses that participated in racing, few performance-related variance was found between horses with and without lesions.

The study thus comprehensively explores the relationship between radiographic abnormalities and the racing performance of horses, subsequently providing valuable insights for horse breeders, trainers, and potential buyers.