Description of veterinary events and risk factors for fatality in National Hunt flat racing Thoroughbreds in Great Britain (2000–2013)

• DOI: 10.1111/evj.12676
• Publication Date: 2017-02-24T20:27:09Z
• Authors: S. E. Allen; S. M. Rosanowski; A. J. Stirk; K. L. P. Verheyen
• Keywords: Case fatality rate; Odds

No large-scale studies have described veterinary events occurring in National Hunt (NH) flat racing or investigated risk factors for fatality this race type.To describe injuries and conditions requiring attendance on day to determine racehorse NH Great Britain.Retrospective cohort study (2000-2013).Information from all races held over the period, including horse, event report details, was combined. Veterinary were by type anatomical structure(s) affected. Incidence per 1000 starts calculated group, stratified certain horse- race-level variables. Risk determined using multivariable logistic regression modelling.Over 14-year 544 recorded, providing an overall incidence of 13.0 starts. The most common bone (23.5%) tendon ligament (16.4%). A fatal outcome recorded 117 horses (21.5% events), resulting 2.9 deaths Odds 4.33 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59-11.82; P = 0.02) times higher restricted conditional jockeys compared those that not. Horses starting their first experienced 1.44 CI 1.00-2.08; 0.05) odds death had raced before.Classification frequently relied upon presumptive diagnosis.This provides a benchmark ongoing surveillance racing. These results support phasing out highlight need further work establish why Thoroughbreds competing are at increased death.