Relationship between race start characteristics and risk of catastrophic injury in Thoroughbreds: 78 cases (1992)

Abstract

abstract: A retrospective longitudinal study was carried out of 25 male and 53 female Thoroughbreds that incurred catastrophic musculoskeletal injury (CMI) during racing which resulted in them being killed, and all California race entrants in 1992. PM examination records were reviewed, and race start information was obtained. Incidence risk of CMI was 1.7/1000 entrants. A higher risk of CMI was found at 2 race-meets with fair conditions, with incidence risks of 4.9 and 5.5/1000 entrants. Risk of injury in male horses was 1.7 times greater than that in female horses, and influence of age on risk depended on race type. Risk of injury for horses 2 to 5 years old was 2 times greater for claiming horses than for maiden horses. Race length or racing surface type (dirt vs turf) or condition (fast, muddy, yielding) were not significantly associated with risk of CMI. It is suggested that researchers should consider controlling for age and sex, race-meet and race type whenever possible in studies of risk of CMI