The relationship of training milestones with racing success in a population of Standardbred horses in New Zealand.
Abstract: To investigate the association between attainment of training milestones by 2-year-old horses with racing outcomes in a population of Standardbred racehorses in New Zealand. Methods: Retrospective records of the 2001/2002-born Standardbred foals were obtained. The three training milestones used were: registered with a trainer, entered in a trial, and competed in a race. The racing outcomes were length of career in years raced and number of race starts, and total earnings. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the association between attainment of the three milestones by 2-year-olds and the number of race starts and years raced. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between attainment of the milestones by 2-year-olds and the outcomes won and placed in a race. Linear regression was used to model the association between attainment of the milestones by 2-year-olds and annual earnings and total earnings (transformed using Ln (earnings+NZ$100)). Results: Of 3,032 horses in the population, 1,018 (33.6%) registered with a trainer, 609 (20.1%) trialled, and 272 (9.0%) raced as 2-year-olds. Horses that first raced as 2-year-olds had a longer racing career and more race starts than those that that did not race as 2-year-olds (p<0.001); this was also true when starts in the 2-year-olds were omitted from analyses. Horses that were registered with a trainer, trialled or raced as 2-year-olds were more likely to have won or placed in a race than those that did not achieve the milestones as 2-year-olds (p<0.001). Linear regression showed horses that trialled and raced as 2-year-olds had greater total earnings than those that did not, and male horses had a greater total earnings than female horses. Conclusions: Only one third the Standardbred racehorses born in 2001/2002 registered with a trainer as 2-year-olds, but the results of this study indicate that horses that began training, trialling, or racing as 2-year-olds had longer and more successful careers than those that did not achieve the milestones as 2-year-olds. Further investigation is required to quantify the management practices of these horses to determine the factors that may be associated with a successful racing career.
Publication Date: 2011-11-02 PubMed ID: 22040339DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2011.617029Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates the correlation between the achievement of training milestones by 2-year-old Standardbred racehorses and their eventual success in racing. This study’s findings suggest that horses who start training, participating in trials, or racing at two years old tend to have longer and more successful careers.
Methodology
- Records of Standardbred foals born in the 2001/2002 seasons were analyzed retrospectively.
- The milestones considered were: being registered with a trainer, participating in trial races, and racing in actual competitions.
- The horse’s racing successes were measured by the length of their career in years, number of races entered, and total earnings.
- Cox regression analysis was used to study the correlation between the achievement of these milestones by the age of two and the number of races entered and years spent racing.
- Logistic and linear regression models were utilized to study the association between these milestones and racing success.
Results
- Out of 3,032 horses, only about a third (1,018) were registered with a trainer as 2-year-olds.
- Of these, only 609 (20.1%) participated in trials and 272 (9.0%) raced by the age of two.
- Horses that started racing at the age of two had longer racing careers with more race starts than those that did not.
- The same results held true even when the race starts at two years old were removed from the consideration.
- Horses registered with a trainer, participated in trials or raced as 2-year-olds were also more likely to have won or placed in a race compared to those that did not achieve these milestones.
- Male horses displayed higher total earnings than their female counterparts.
Conclusions
- Less than one third of the Standardbred horses born in the 2001/2002 seasons registered with a trainer by the age of two.
- However, the study concisely demonstrates that horses that begin training, participating in trials, or racing by the age of two achieve more successful and longer racing careers.
- These findings suggest a potential best practice for training young horses and highlight the need for further research into the management practices contributing to success in horseracing.
Cite This Article
APA
Tanner JC, Rogers CW, Firth EC.
(2011).
The relationship of training milestones with racing success in a population of Standardbred horses in New Zealand.
N Z Vet J, 59(6), 323-327.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2011.617029 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Massey Equine, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442 , New Zealand. j.c.tanner@massey.ac.nz
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Retrospective Studies
- Sports
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Conturba B, Stancari G, Ferrucci F. Impact of Lower Airway Inflammation on Fitness Parameters in Standardbred Racehorses.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 21;12(22).
- Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Stancari G, Alberti E, Conturba B, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Associations between Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) and Fitness Parameters Measured by Incremental Treadmill Test in Standardbred Racehorses.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 12;12(4).
- Furtado T, Preshaw L, Hockenhull J, Wathan J, Douglas J, Horseman S, Smith R, Pollard D, Pinchbeck G, Rogers J, Hall C. How Happy Are Equine Athletes? Stakeholder Perceptions of Equine Welfare Issues Associated with Equestrian Sport.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 12;11(11).
- Physick-Sheard P, Avison A, Sears W. Factors Associated with Mortality in Ontario Standardbred Racing: 2003-2015.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Apr 5;11(4).
- Flash ML, Wong ASM, Stevenson MA, Gilkerson JR. Barriers to entering race training before 4 years of age for Thoroughbred horses born in the 2014 Australian foal crop.. PLoS One 2020;15(8):e0237003.
- Palmer AL, Bolwell CF, Stafford KJ, Gal A, Rogers CW. Patterns of Racing and Career Duration of Racing Greyhounds in New Zealand.. Animals (Basel) 2020 May 5;10(5).
- Rowland M, Coombs T, Connor M. A Study of Traveller Horse Owners' Attitudes to Horse Care and Welfare Using an Equine Body Condition Scoring System.. Animals (Basel) 2019 Apr 12;9(4).
- Tanner J, Rogers C, Bolwell C, Cogger N, Gee E, Mcllwraith W. Analysis of Failure to Finish a Race in a Cohort of Thoroughbred Racehorses in New Zealand.. Animals (Basel) 2016 May 25;6(6).
- Rogers CW, Bolwell CF, Gee EK. Proactive Management of the Equine Athlete.. Animals (Basel) 2012 Dec 19;2(4):640-55.
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