Preventive veterinary medicine2017; 148; 58-65; doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.10.003

Risk factors for race-day fatality, distal limb fracture and epistaxis in Thoroughbreds racing on all-weather surfaces in Great Britain (2000 to 2013).

Rosanowski, SM
·
Chang, YM
·
Stirk, AJ
·
Verheyen, KLP

Abstract: The incidence of race-day injuries in Great Britain (GB) is higher on all-weather (AW) surfaces than on turf. However, to date no studies have focused on identifying risk factors for injury specific to AW racing. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to determine risk factors for fatality, distal limb fracture (DLF) and episodes of epistaxis in flat racing Thoroughbreds racing on AW surfaces in GB. Data included all flat racing starts on AW surfaces (n=258,193) and race-day veterinary events recorded between 2000 and 2013. Information on additional course-level variables was gathered during face-to-face interviews with racecourse clerks. Horse-, race- and course-level risk factors for each outcome were assessed using mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression including horse as a random effect. A classification tree method was used to identify potential interaction terms for inclusion in the models. During the study period, there were 233 fatalities resulting in a fatality incidence of 0.90 per 1000 starts; 245 DLF with a resultant DLF incidence of 0.95 per 1000 starts and 410 episodes of epistaxis resulting in an epistaxis incidence of 1.59 per 1000 starts. Risk factors varied for each outcome, although some factors were similar across models including the going, racing intensity, horse age, age at first race start, horse and trainer performance variables. Generally, older horses and those that had started racing at an older age were at higher risk of an adverse outcome, albeit with an interaction between the two variables in the fatality model. Faster going increased the odds of epistaxis and DLF but not fatality. Increasing race distance increased the odds of fatality but reduced the odds of epistaxis. Epistaxis was associated with type of AW surface (Fibresand versus Polytrack®), but DLF and fatality were not. This study provides further evidence of the association between the risk of race-day injuries and fatalities and current age, age at first start, race distance, going and horse performance. These findings provide the racing industry with information to develop strategies to reduce the occurrence of race-day events on AW surfaces.

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Publication Date: 2017-10-13 PubMed ID: 29157375DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.10.003Google Scholar: Lookup

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Summary

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The study aims to identify risk variables for fatalities, distal limb fractures, and epistaxis in flat racing Thoroughbreds on all-weather surfaces in Great Britain. The research revealed that factors such as current age, age at first race, race distance, and horse performance are associated with increased risk of race-day injuries and fatalities.

Research Context

The researchers recognized that even though there are more race-day injuries on all-weather (AW) surfaces than on turf in Great Britain, previous studies had not specifically focused on identifying risk factors relevant to AW racing.
The target of this study was to identify and analyze the risk factors for fatality, distal limb fracture (DLF), and episodes of epistaxis in Thoroughbred flat races on AW surfaces in Great Britain.

Data Collection and Analysis

The researchers pooled data from all flat racing starts on AW surfaces and race-day veterinary events recorded between 2000 and 2013. This included as many as 258,193 racing starts.
Additional course-level data were collected through interviews with racecourse clerks.
Mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression, with the horse as a random effect, was applied to assess horse-, race-, and course-level risk factors for each outcome.
A classification tree method was also utilized to identify possible interaction terms to be incorporated into the models.

Study Findings

Throughout the study period, 233 fatalities, 245 DLFs, and 410 episodes of epistaxis were recorded. The respective incidences per 1000 starts were 0.90 for fatalities, 0.95 for DLFs, and 1.59 for epistaxis.
Risk factors varied across the three outcomes; however, several elements such as track conditions, racing intensity, horse age, horse age at first race start, and horse and trainer performance were common among them.
Generally, older horses and those that started racing older were at greater risk of adverse outcomes, although there was an observed interaction between the two variables in the fatality model.
Faster track conditions increased the likelihood of epistaxis and DLFs but not fatalities. Longer race distances increased the odds of fatality but reduced the odds of epistaxis.
Epistaxis was associated with the type of AW surface (Fibresand versus Polytrack), but DLF and fatality were not.

Implications of the Study

This research provides further evidence of the relationship between race-day injuries and fatalities and factors such as current age, age at first race, race distance, track condition, and horse performance.
These findings supply the racing industry with significant information to formulate strategies aimed at reducing the occurrence of race-day incidents on AW surfaces.

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APA

Rosanowski SM, Chang YM, Stirk AJ, Verheyen KLP. (2017). Risk factors for race-day fatality, distal limb fracture and epistaxis in Thoroughbreds racing on all-weather surfaces in Great Britain (2000 to 2013). Prev Vet Med, 148, 58-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.10.003

Publication

Preventive veterinary medicine

ISSN: 1873-1716

NlmUniqueID: 8217463

Country: Netherlands

Language: English

Volume: 148

Pages: 58-65

Researcher Affiliations

Rosanowski, S M

Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, United Kingdom; Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Electronic address: srosanow@cityu.edu.hk.

Chang, Y M

Research Office, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, NW1 0TU, United Kingdom.

Stirk, A J

British Horseracing Authority, 75 High Holborn, London WC1 6LS, United Kingdom.

Verheyen, K L P

Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, United Kingdom.