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The Veterinary record2021; 189(5); e298; doi: 10.1002/vetr.298

Retrospective analysis of the population dynamics and racing outcomes of the 2014 and 2015 UK and Ireland Thoroughbred foal crops.

Abstract: Up-to-date figures on early losses of Thoroughbreds from the racing industry can inform strategies to improve retention and incentivise traceability of Thoroughbreds during this early life period. Methods: Data on Thoroughbred mares bred in 2013-2014 and training, racing and sales information of their live offspring were analysed. The proportions and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of the entire 2014-2015 United Kingdom and Ireland foal crops that entered training, raced, were imported and/or exported between birth and the end of their third year of life, as well as the racing performance of these horses as 2- and 3-year-olds were described. Results: A total of 20,661 mares produced 28,282 live foals. Of them, 47.2% (95% CI: 46.7-47.8; n = 13,354) entered training by the end of their third year of life. Of these, 10,595 (79.3%; 95% CI: 78.7-80.0) raced at least once. Around 20% (n = 5712) of horses were exported by the end of their third year of life, of which 3526 (61.7%) had been in training. The overall mortality during the study period was 7.6% (n = 2123). Conclusions: A considerable proportion of Thoroughbreds had not entered training by 3 years of age but of those that had, the proportion that raced at least once was high. Further research is needed to establish reasons for premature losses from the industry.
© 2021 The Authors. Veterinary Record published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Veterinary Association.
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Publication Date: 2021-04-18 PubMed ID: 33870524DOI: 10.1002/vetr.298Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research paper presents a review of the population dynamics and racing outcomes of Thoroughbred foals born in the UK and Ireland in 2014 and 2015. The objective is to understand early losses from the Thoroughbred racing industry and to inform strategies to improve racehorse retention and enable better tracking of these animals during their early life.

Methodology

  • The study used historical data relating to Thoroughbred mares bred in 2013 and 2014, and the subsequent training, racing, and sales information of their offspring.
  • The researchers calculated the percentages as well as the 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the entire 2014 and 2015 foal cohorts born in the UK and Ireland.
  • They analyzed various aspects such as how many horses started training, competed in races, were imported or exported by the end of their third year of life, and their racing performance in their second and third years.

Results

  • The total number of Thoroughbred mares that bred during the study period was 20,661, producing 28,282 live foals.
  • About 47.2% of these foals (13,354 horses) entered training by the end of their third year of life.
  • Out of those that were trained, 79.3% raced at least once. This equates to 10,595 horses.
  • Around 20% of the horses (5,712) were exported by the end of their third year of life. Of these, 61.7% had been in training.
  • The overall mortality rate during the study period was 7.6%, which is equivalent to 2,123 horses.

Conclusions

  • The study reveals that a significant portion of Thoroughbreds had not started training by the age of three.
  • However, for those that did begin training, the percentage that actually raced at least once was quite high.
  • The findings shed light on the early losses from the Thoroughbred racing industry, prompting the need for further research to identify the reasons behind these early exits.

Cite This Article

APA
Arango-Sabogal JC, Mouncey R, de Mestre AM, Verheyen K. (2021). Retrospective analysis of the population dynamics and racing outcomes of the 2014 and 2015 UK and Ireland Thoroughbred foal crops. Vet Rec, 189(5), e298. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.298

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 2042-7670
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 189
Issue: 5
Pages: e298

Researcher Affiliations

Arango-Sabogal, Juan Carlos
  • Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Herts, UK.
Mouncey, Rebecca
  • Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Herts, UK.
de Mestre, Amanda M
  • Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Herts, UK.
Verheyen, Kristien
  • Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Herts, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Ireland / epidemiology
  • Mortality
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Population Dynamics
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sports
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology

Grant Funding

  • The Racing Foundation, the Horserace Betting Levy Board and the Royal Veterinary College's Mellon Fund for Equine Research

References

This article includes 20 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. 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).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13030479pubmed: 36766368google scholar: lookup
  2. Arango-Sabogal JC, Mouncey R, de Mestre AM, Verheyen K. Date of birth and purchase price as foals or yearlings are associated with Thoroughbred flat race performance in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Vet Rec Open 2022 Dec;9(1):e43.
    doi: 10.1002/vro2.43pubmed: 36185419google scholar: lookup
  3. Mouncey R, de Mestre AM, Verheyen KL. Born to run? Racing and training outcomes, population dynamics and traceability of a Thoroughbred birth cohort. Vet Rec 2025 Oct 4;197(7):e5777.
    doi: 10.1002/vetr.5777pubmed: 41000051google scholar: lookup
  4. Ricard RM, St-Jean G, Atwal HK, Wobeser BK. A retrospective study of equine perinatal loss in Canada (2007 to 2020). Can Vet J 2023 Oct;64(10):933-940.
    pubmed: 37780478
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