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Equine veterinary journal2025; doi: 10.1111/evj.70003

Turf track surface interaction with speed and musculoskeletal injury risk in Thoroughbred racehorses.

Abstract: Injury modelling based on changes in speed and stride characteristics of racehorses has become a primary industry focus for the Thoroughbred racing industry. However, speed and stride characteristics are strongly associated with track condition; therefore, reliable quantification of surface variables for use in future models is imperative. Objective: This study aimed to understand the interaction of objective turf track condition score (TCS) measurement with racing speed and injury in flat racing Thoroughbred horses. Methods: Retrospective time series analysis. Methods: Race-day data from 16 flat racing seasons (2008/9-2023/24, n = 40,824 races) were used to compare monthly TCS (based on penetrometer measurements), the coefficient of variability (CV) for TCS, race speed (over the final 600 m) and the number of race starts. Injury data from 7 seasons (2015-17, 2019-24) were used to calculate the monthly incidence rate (IR per 1000 race starts) of musculoskeletal injury (MSI). A mixed effects linear model was used to assess the relationship between speed, TCS, race distance and horse rating. Results: Race starts (n = 437,506), TCS and speed showed strong seasonal fluctuations, with more starts, lower and more variable TCS (4, IQR 3-5, CV = 0.44) and higher race speed (16.7 m/s, IQR 16.1-17.2) in summer compared with winter (TCS 10, IQR 8-10, CV = 0.22, p < 0.001 and speed 15.1 m/s, IQR 14.3-15.8, p < 0.001). Race speed had a strong negative quadratic relationship with TCS (β₂ = -0.03, p < 0.001), a negative linear correlation with race distance and was positively correlated with horse rating. There were 433 MSI (IR = 2.22, 95% CI 2.20-2.44), with an immediate (0 lag time) positive association with seasonal changes in TCS (r = -0.28). Conclusions: Low monthly numbers of MSI constrained analysis of interaction with track variables. Conclusions: TCS provides a reliable quantitative measure of track condition which could be used to refine future models of injury risk in racing Thoroughbreds.
© 2025 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-07-24 PubMed ID: 40704543DOI: 10.1111/evj.70003Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 explores how turf track conditions, horse speed, and injury risk interplay in thoroughbred horse racing. It assesses how these factors could potentially contribute to musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) in racehorses.

Study Objectives and Methods

  • The objective of the study was to understand how an objective measurement of turf track condition (TCS), race speed, and injury risk interact.
  • To attain these objectives, the research employed a retrospective time series analysis.
  • It used race data, spanning 16 seasons, which included data on monthly TCS based on penetrometer measurements (a tool to measure the hardness of a surface), race speed over the final 600m, and the number of race starts.
  • To compare and establish correlations, injury data over 7 seasons was used to calculate the incidence rate (IR) of MSIs per 1000 race starts.
  • The researchers used a mixed effects linear model to assess relationships between speed, TCS, and factors like race distance and horse rating.

Key Findings

  • The study found that the number of race starts, TCS, and speed display strong seasonal differences.
  • These factors were more variable in summer compared to winter, with more race starts, lower but more variable TCS, and higher race speeds in the warmer season.
  • Race speed exhibited a strong negative quadratic relationship with TCS. This means that as the TCS value (indicating softness or hardness of the track) increases, the speed decreases.
  • Race speed also had a negative correlation with race distance and a positive correlation with horse rating.
  • There were 433 reported MSIs, with an immediate positive association found with seasonal changes in TCS.

Conclusions

  • Due to the small number of monthly MSI instances, the analysis of how they interact with track variables was limited.
  • Nonetheless, the TCS was identified as a reliable quantitative measure of track condition. This understanding contributes valuable insights that could be used to develop more refined models for predicting injury risks in racehorses in future studies.

Cite This Article

APA
Legg KA, Gibson MJ, Gee EK, Rogers CW. (2025). Turf track surface interaction with speed and musculoskeletal injury risk in Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.70003

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Legg, K A
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Gibson, M J
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Gee, E K
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Rogers, C W
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Grant Funding

  • ET 2/2019 / New Zealand Equine Trust

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