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Equine veterinary journal2006; 38(4); 312-318; doi: 10.2746/042516406777749182

Risk of fatality and causes of death of Thoroughbred horses associated with racing in Victoria, Australia: 1989-2004.

Abstract: Determining the risk of fatality of Thoroughbred horses while racing is essential to assess the impact of intervention measures designed to minimise such fatalities. Objective: To measure the risk of racehorse fatality in jump and flat starts on racecourses in Victoria, Australia, over a 15 year period and to determine proportional mortality rates for specific causes of death. Methods: All fatalities of Thoroughbred horses that occurred during or within 24 h of a race were identified from a database. The risk of a start resulting in a racehorse fatality in all races and within flat and jump races, proportional mortality rates, population attributable risk, population attributable fraction and risk ratios were calculated along with 95% confidence intervals. Poisson regression was also performed to estimate risk ratios. Results: There were 514 fatalities over the 15 year period; 316 in flat races and 198 in jump races. The risk of fatality was 0.44 per 1000 flat starts and 8.3 per 1000 jump starts (18.9 x greater). The risk of fatality on city tracks was 1.1 per 1000 starts whereas on country tracks it was 0.57 per 1000 starts. Of the 316 fatalities in flat races, 73.4% were due to limb injury, 2.5% to cranial or vertebral injury and 19.0% were sudden deaths. Of the 198 fatalities in jump races, 68.7% were due to limb injury, 16.2% to cranial or vertebral injury and 3.5% were sudden deaths. The risk of fatality in flat starts increased between 1989 and 2004 but the risk in jump starts remained unchanged over the 15 year period. Conclusions: The risk of fatality in flat starts was lower in Victoria than North America and the UK but the risk in jump starts was greater. Catastrophic limb injury was the major reason for racehorse fatality in Victoria but there was a larger percentage of sudden deaths than has been reported overseas. The risk of fatality in jump starts remained constant over the study period despite jump racing reviews that recommended changes to hurdle and steeple races to improve safety. Conclusions: This study provides important benchmarks for the racing industry to monitor racetrack fatalities and evaluate intervention strategies.
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Publication Date: 2006-07-27 PubMed ID: 16866197DOI: 10.2746/042516406777749182Google 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.

The research article discusses the risk of fatality and causes of death for Thoroughbred horses participating in racing events in Victoria, Australia from 1989 to 2004. The study aims to understand the effectiveness of measures implemented to reduce horse fatalities during races.

Methodology

  • The study identified all fatalities of Thoroughbred horses that occurred during or within 24 hours of a race from a database.
  • The researchers calculated risk ratios, proportional mortality rates, population attributable risk and fraction, and confidence intervals.
  • They also utilized Poisson regression to estimate risk ratios.

Results

  • There were 514 horse fatalities reported during the 15-year period
  • 316 fatalities were in flat races, while 198 were in jump races.
  • The fatality risk was 0.44 per 1000 flat starts and significantly higher, at 8.3 per 1000 jump starts.
  • More fatalities occurred on city tracks than country tracks.
  • Majority of deaths in both flat and jump races resulted from limb injuries, followed by cranial or vertebral injuries and sudden deaths.
  • The fatality risk in flat starts increased between 1989 and 2004 while the risk in jump starts remained the same throughout the 15 years.

Conclusions

  • The risk of fatality in flat starts in Victoria was lower compared to North America and UK, while the risk in jump starts was higher.
  • The main cause of fatality was catastrophic limb injury, but the percentage of sudden deaths was higher than reported overseas.
  • Despite recommended changes to improve safety in hurdle and steeple races, the risk of fatality in jump starts did not reduce over the study period.
  • The study’s findings provide vital benchmarks to monitor racetrack fatalities and evaluate safety intervention strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Boden LA, Anderson GA, Charles JA, Morgan KL, Morton JM, Parkin TD, Slocombe RF, Clarke AF. (2006). Risk of fatality and causes of death of Thoroughbred horses associated with racing in Victoria, Australia: 1989-2004. Equine Vet J, 38(4), 312-318. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406777749182

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 38
Issue: 4
Pages: 312-318

Researcher Affiliations

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

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
                • Athletic Injuries / mortality
                • Athletic Injuries / veterinary
                • Cause of Death
                • Female
                • Floors and Floorcoverings
                • Horses / injuries
                • Male
                • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
                • Risk Factors
                • Running / injuries
                • Safety
                • Sports
                • Victoria

                Citations

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