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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Risk factors for race-day fatality in flat racing Thoroughbr...
PloS one2018; 13(3); e0194299; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194299

Risk factors for race-day fatality in flat racing Thoroughbreds in Great Britain (2000 to 2013).

Abstract: A key focus of the racing industry is to reduce the number of race-day events where horses die suddenly or are euthanased due to catastrophic injury. The objective of this study was therefore to determine risk factors for race-day fatalities in Thoroughbred racehorses, using a cohort of all horses participating in flat racing in Great Britain between 2000 and 2013. Horse-, race- and course-level data were collected and combined with all race-day fatalities, recorded by racecourse veterinarians in a central database. Associations between exposure variables and fatality were assessed using logistic regression analyses for (1) all starts in the dataset and (2) starts made on turf surfaces only. There were 806,764 starts in total, of which 548,571 were on turf surfaces. A total of 610 fatalities were recorded; 377 (61.8%) on turf. In both regression models, increased firmness of the going, increasing racing distance, increasing average horse performance, first year of racing and wearing eye cover for the first time all increased the odds of fatality. Generally, the odds of fatality also increased with increasing horse age whereas increasing number of previous starts reduced fatality odds. In the 'all starts' model, horses racing in an auction race were at 1.46 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-2.01) times the odds of fatality compared with horses not racing in this race type. In the turf starts model, horses racing in Group 1 races were at 3.19 (95% CI 1.71-5.93) times the odds of fatality compared with horses not racing in this race type. Identification of novel risk factors including wearing eye cover and race type will help to inform strategies to further reduce the rate of fatality in flat racing horses, enhancing horse and jockey welfare and safety.
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Publication Date: 2018-03-21 PubMed ID: 29561898PubMed Central: PMC5862470DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194299Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Historical Article
  • 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.

The study examines risk determinants for race-day fatalities in Thoroughbred racehorses in Great Britain from 2000 to 2013, identifying factors such as firmness of the track, racing distance, horse performance, horse age, and use of eye covers as contributing to increased odds of fatality.

Study Overview

  • The researchers undertook this study with the objective to identify risk factors associated with race-day fatalities in Thoroughbred racehorses. This comprehensive study analysed data collected on all horses participating in flat racing competitions in Great Britain from 2000 to 2013.
  • Data at the levels of horse, race, and course were all meticulously collected and combined with the race-day fatality records. These fatality records were compiled by racecourse veterinarians in a centralized database.
  • The collected data were evaluated using logistic regression analyses. This assessment was performed on the total dataset and a subset of starts made solely on turf surfaces.

Data and Findings

  • During the study period, there were a total of 806,764 starts, of which 548,571 were made on turf racing tracks. The racing starts resulted in a total of 610 fatalities, with 377, or 61.8%, occurring on turf surfaces.
  • Using logistic regression analyses, several factors were identified that correlated with an increase in the odds of a fatality. These risk factors included the firmness of the track, the distance of the race, the average performance of the horse, the horse’s first year of racing, and the first time usage of eye covers.
  • Generally, the odds of fatality also escalated with the increase in the age of the horse. In contrast, there was a decrease in the fatality odds with an increasing number of previous starts.
  • In the ‘all starts’ model, horses racing in auction races presented 1.46 times the odds of fatality compared with horses not racing in this race type. For the turf-starts model, horses racing in Group 1 races had 3.19 times the odds of fatality compared with horses not racing in this race type.

Study Impact

  • The findings of this study contribute significantly towards understanding the risk factors for race-day fatalities in Thoroughbred racehorses. The identification of novel risk factors, such as the horse’s first-time wearing of eye covers and the type of race, may help inform strategies to reduce fatality rates further in flat racing horses.
  • The implications of these findings may ultimately enhance the welfare and safety of both horses and jockeys involved in the racing industry.

Cite This Article

APA
Rosanowski SM, Chang YM, Stirk AJ, Verheyen KLP. (2018). Risk factors for race-day fatality in flat racing Thoroughbreds in Great Britain (2000 to 2013). PLoS One, 13(3), e0194299. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194299

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 3
Pages: e0194299
PII: e0194299

Researcher Affiliations

Rosanowski, Sarah 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, United Kingdom.
Chang, Yu-Mei
  • Research Office, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London,United Kingdom.
Stirk, Anthony J
  • British Horseracing Authority, London, United Kingdom.
Verheyen, Kristien 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, United Kingdom.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cause of Death
  • History, 21st Century
  • Horses
  • Incidence
  • Mortality / history
  • Odds Ratio
  • Risk Factors
  • Running
  • United Kingdom

Conflict of Interest Statement

SMR received funding from the Horserace Betting Levy Board, project number vet/prj/769. AJS is employed by the British Horse Racing Authority. YMC and KLPV are employed by the Royal Veterinary College, London. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the 'author contributions' section. None of the authors declare a competing interest in relation to these funding sources. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

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