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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Risk factors for Thoroughbred racehorse fatality in flat sta...
Equine veterinary journal2007; 39(5); 430-437; doi: 10.2746/042516407x183162

Risk factors for Thoroughbred racehorse fatality in flat starts in Victoria, Australia (1989-2004).

Abstract: Research into risk factors specific for fatality in flat racing should be focused at a regional level as the risk factors may differ among countries and even regions within countries. Objective: To identify risk factors for fatality of Thoroughbred racehorses in flat starts on all racecourses in Victoria, Australia between 1989 and 2004. Methods: Fatalities comprised all horses that died during or immediately after a flat race or official flat trial, and all horses that were subjected to euthanasia within 24 h of an event in which an injury was sustained. The retrospective study involved 283 case starts and 3307 control starts. Univariable and multivariable backward stepwise logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for fatality at any one start. Results: In the final multivariable model, horse gender, prior racing history, race length, racing year, racecourse location and track rating were associated with fatality. Conclusions: This study identified specific risk factors for fatality. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that horses accumulating high speed exercise are predisposed to catastrophic injury. The study has also highlighted the need to investigate further the adverse effects of different track ratings on the incidence of injury and subsequent fatality. Conclusions: The results will facilitate the development of effective strategies to improve overall safety of horses and jockeys in flat racing in Victoria, Australia.
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Publication Date: 2007-10-04 PubMed ID: 17910268DOI: 10.2746/042516407x183162Google 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 research conducted in Victoria, Australia from 1989 to 2004 aimed to identify risk factors for the fatality of Thoroughbred racehorses in flat races. Factors such as horse gender, previous race history, race length, racing year, racecourse location, and track rating were associated with fatalities.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a retrospective study on fatalities in flat horse racing. The definition of a fatality in this study comprised all horses that died either during or directly after a flat race or official flat trial. It also included those that were subjected to euthanasia within 24 hours of an event where an injury was sustained.
  • The study included 283 case starts (occurrences where a fatality occurred) and 3307 control starts (races without fatalities).
  • To identify the risk factors for fatalities at any one start, the scientists used both univariable and multivariable backward stepwise logistic regression.

Results

  • According to the final multivariable model used in the study, several factors were identified as being associated with fatality. These included: horse gender, the horse’s prior racing history, the length of the race, the year of the race, the location of the racecourse, and the track rating.
  • Consistent with their theory, the researchers found that horses which accumulate high-speed exercise are more predisposed to potentially lethal injuries.

Conclusions and Implications

  • Through this study, identifiable risk factors for fatalities in flat horse racing were discovered. These findings could aid in the development of effective strategies to improve safety for both horses and their jockeys in future races.
  • The effects of different track ratings on the incidence of injuries and subsequent fatalities are considered significant enough to warrant further investigation.
  • The results gathered are not only important locally for the safety of the horse racing industry in Victoria, Australia, but can also serve as a valuable reference for other regions as risk factors may differ among regions within a country and between countries.

Cite This Article

APA
Boden LA, Anderson GA, Charles JA, Morgan KL, Morton JM, Parkin TD, Clarke AF, Slocombe RF. (2007). Risk factors for Thoroughbred racehorse fatality in flat starts in Victoria, Australia (1989-2004). Equine Vet J, 39(5), 430-437. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516407x183162

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 39
Issue: 5
Pages: 430-437

Researcher Affiliations

Boden, L A
  • Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia.
Anderson, G A
    Charles, J A
      Morgan, K L
        Morton, J M
          Parkin, T D H
            Clarke, A F
              Slocombe, R F

                MeSH Terms

                • Age Factors
                • Animals
                • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
                • Athletic Injuries / mortality
                • Athletic Injuries / veterinary
                • Case-Control Studies
                • Cause of Death
                • Female
                • Horses / injuries
                • Incidence
                • Logistic Models
                • Male
                • Multivariate Analysis
                • Odds Ratio
                • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
                • Retrospective Studies
                • Risk Factors
                • Running
                • Safety
                • Sports
                • Victoria

                Citations

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