Racehorse injuries and fatalities are a side effect of the training and competition of horse racing . Racehorse injuries are considered especially difficult to treat, as they frequently result in the death of the horse. A 2005 study by the United States Department of Agriculture found that injuries are the second leading cause of death in horses, second only to old age.
123-633: The Brighton Beach Race Course was an American Thoroughbred horse racing facility in Brighton Beach , Brooklyn , New York , opened on June 28, 1879 by the Brighton Beach Racing Association. Headed by real estate developer William A. Engeman , who owned the Brighton Beach Hotel, the one-mile race track was located in back of the hotel and bounded by Ocean Parkway on the west, Neptune Avenue on
246-529: A male line to the present; the Byerley Turk's male line was preserved by Herod (or King Herod), a great-great-grandson; and the male line of the Darley Arabian owes its existence to great-great-grandson Eclipse , who was the dominant racehorse of his day and never defeated. One genetic study indicates that 95% of all male Thoroughbreds trace their direct male line (via the Y chromosome ) to
369-419: A 2001 study, 78% of alleles in the population can be traced to 30 foundation animals, 27 of which are male. Ten foundation mares account for 72% of maternal (tail-female) lineages, and, as noted, one stallion appears in 95% of tail male lineages. Thoroughbred pedigrees are generally traced through the maternal line, called the distaff line. The line that a horse comes from is a critical factor in determining
492-447: A bony lump known as a splint. The size and position of this bony lump determine whether a splint is likely to cause long-term lameness. The lump can interfere with the knee joint or the suspensory ligament, which runs down the back of the cannon bone. Splints force 7% of racehorses to retire. Luxations are joint dislocations and account for 8% of fatal injuries. Fetlock luxations account for 91% of all fatal luxation injuries. Due to
615-604: A common ancestor; in 19 mare lines studied, the haplotypes revealed that they traced to only 15 unique foundation mares, suggesting either a common ancestor for foundation mares thought to be unrelated or recording errors in the GSB. By the end of the 18th century, the English Classic races had been established. These are the St. Leger Stakes , founded in 1776, The Oaks , founded in 1779, and The Derby in 1780. Later,
738-514: A decreased chance of injury. Studies have shown that track surfaces, horseshoes with toe grabs, use of certain legal medications, and high-intensity racing schedules may also contribute to a high injury rate. One promising trend is the development of synthetic surfaces for racetracks, and one of the first tracks to install such a surface, Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky , saw its rate of fatal breakdowns drop from 24 in 2004–05 to three in
861-522: A direct result of fractures sustained while racing. In Venezuela, at Hipódromo La Rinconada in 2009, 7% of horses in training died, including 51 (40%) due to limb fractures. In Japan from 1987−2000, 1.83% of runners had an acute bone fracture incurred during a race that resulted in failure to race within three months or permanent retirement, euthanasia, or death. Jumps racing has long been steeped in controversy due to its high mortality rate. This brand of racing requires Thoroughbred horses to leap over
984-660: A higher incidence of catastrophic injuries than do lower class races (defined as maiden and non-stakes races), with an overall odds ratio of 1.52. This does vary by study and country, including odds ratios of 1.30–2.18 in Australia and 1.08–1.77 in the United States. At two racetracks in South America, the fatality rate in stakes races was found to be 0.57/1000 starts versus 0.66/1000 starts in other races. However, this differed significantly by track. One track had
1107-611: A higher risk of catastrophic injury, with an overall odds ratio per year of 1.19. This does vary by study and country, including odds ratios of 1.08 in Australia, 1.03 in Canada, 1.24 in the United Kingdom, and 1.44 in the United States. In South America, age was found to be statistically significant in one of four tracks studied, with an odds ratio of 1.18 per year of age. The EID reports age in three categories: 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, and 4-year-olds and older. There has been
1230-475: A horse overstrides, which causes a sprain (tear). Some occurrences of desmitis may be difficult to detect because the ligament is deep within tissue. An injury to the collateral ligament of the fetlock predisposes the horse to fetlock luxation, the second most common fatal injury. The equine respiratory system consists of the nostrils, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), diaphragm, and lungs. Exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH)
1353-502: A keen racegoer and owner, and Anne, royal support was given to racing and the breeding of race horses. With royal support, horse racing became popular with the public, and by 1727, a newspaper devoted to racing, the Racing Calendar , was founded. Devoted exclusively to the sport, it recorded race results and advertised upcoming meets. All modern Thoroughbreds trace their origin to one of three stallions imported into England from
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#17327729969441476-805: A lot of debate since 2006 about how sound the Thoroughbred is today compared to the 1960s and earlier. The only data pertaining to the subject involves the average number of starts per horse, which The Jockey Club started tracking in 1950. Horse conformation, which is a visible outcome of breeding practices, clearly plays a significant role in injury. Some genetic variants have been found to be associated with fracture risk in Thoroughbreds, including variants in ZNF804A and MSTN . Superficial digital flexor tendon injuries have an estimated heritability of 0.17–0.19. In South America, race distance
1599-424: A majority of animals who are prone to bleeding from the lungs ( exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage ), 10% with low fertility, and 5% with abnormally small hearts. Thoroughbreds also tend to have smaller hooves relative to their body mass than other breeds, with thin soles and walls and a lack of cartilage mass, which contributes to foot soreness, the most common source of lameness in racehorses. One argument for
1722-582: A meet in Milan was founded in 1842. Modern flat racing came to Rome in 1868. Later importations, including the Derby Stakes winners Ellington (1856) and Melton (1885), came to Italy before the end of the 19th century. Modern Thoroughbred breeding in Italy is mostly associated with the breeding program of Federico Tesio , who started his breeding program in 1898. Tesio was the breeder of Nearco , one of
1845-490: A more robust skeleton, able to withstand injury and fatality. Dan Hartman, Chair of Racing Commissioners International (RCI), stated in March 2011 that a five-year phase out of drugs and medication was reasonable to bring North American racing policies in line with developments in other parts of the world such as Europe and Hong Kong. Hartman stated that a phased approach would give horsemen and owners sufficient time to adjust to
1968-543: A much lower rate of injury than low grade races. While this could be attributed to many factors, including the quality of the horse, economics, or medications, the trainer still must make the decision to run a horse or not to run a horse. Because leading trainers consistently get the best horses, injury rates by race grade should correspond to injury rates by trainer. High grade races are considered stakes, allowance, and maiden special weight races. Low grade races are considered claiming and maiden claiming races. In South America,
2091-710: A new World Record of 1:38.00 for a mile on dirt at the Brighton Beach Race Course. The track prospered until 1908 when the New York Legislature passed the Hart–Agnew Law banning gambling in New York State . Motor racing events were held at the facility in an attempt to keep the track from closing but even after horse racing returned to New York it was too late to save the track. At the time it ceased horse racing operations,
2214-405: A period of rest of at least 10 days between races for all horses to provide an opportunity to refresh and diminish the volume of persistent cyclic loading. Bucked shins is an inflammatory condition of the cannon bones. Bucked shins is a result of strain and excessive concussion to the cannon bone. The concussion comes from the rigorous training regimen that two-year-olds often face and inability of
2337-483: A race in the United States, an average of two horses per day. The state of California reported a particularly high rate of injury, 3.5 per 1000 starts. Other countries report lower rates of injury, with the United Kingdom having 0.9 injuries/1,000 starts (1990–1999) and the courses in Victoria, Australia , producing a rate of 0.44 injuries/1,000 starts (1989–2004). Thoroughbreds also have other health concerns, including
2460-586: A recurrence of injury. Tendinosis is chronic degeneration of a tendon without inflammation. It is caused by repetitive microtrauma and aging. Tendinosis is characterized by painful thickening and structural changes of the tendon. Tendinosis predisposes horses for Tendinitis and catastrophic ruptured tendons. Desmitis is inflammation of a ligament. Ligaments connect bone to bone and, depending on individual function, are either compliant or noncompliant. Ligaments have less elasticity than tendons and can therefore be injured easily. Desmitis occurs most often when
2583-578: A row. After the American Civil War , the emphasis in American racing changed from the older style of four-mile (6 km) races in which the horses ran in at least two heats. The new style of racing involved shorter races not run in heats, over distances from five furlongs up to 1.5 miles (2.4 km). This development meant a change in breeding practices, as well as the age that horses were raced, with younger horses and sprinters coming to
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#17327729969442706-565: A short back, good depth of hindquarters, a lean body, and long legs. Thoroughbreds are classified among the "hot-blooded" breeds, which are animals bred for agility and speed and are generally considered spirited and bold. Thoroughbreds born in the Northern Hemisphere are officially considered a year older on the first of January each year; those born in the Southern Hemisphere officially are one year older on
2829-431: A slip or fall, or a direct blow to the joint. When the fetlock suffers trauma, enzymes and other agents from the joint lining are released that destroy tissue inside the joint. As the condition worsens, so does the horse's lameness, and the interior structures of the joints become more and more irritated. Osselets force 16% of racehorses to retire. Carpitis is inflammation (arthritis) of the carpal joint (knee). Carpitis
2952-406: A stakes fatality rate of 0.12/1000 starts, including 0 fatalities in 4,977 starts in group races, and a fatality rate of 0.73 in other races. The other track had a fatality rate of 1.42/1000 starts in stakes races versus a fatality rate of 0.54 in other races. The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) statistics on racing related career ending injuries show that high grade races have
3075-474: A stallion . Artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET), though commonly used and allowable in many other horse breed registries, cannot be used with Thoroughbreds. One reason is that a greater possibility of error exists in assigning parentage with artificial insemination, and although DNA and blood testing eliminate many of those concerns, artificial insemination still requires more detailed record keeping. The main reason, however, may be economic;
3198-462: A stallion has a limited number of mares who can be serviced by live cover. Thus the practice prevents an oversupply of Thoroughbreds, although modern management still allows a stallion to live cover more mares in a season than was once thought possible. As an example, in 2008, the Australian stallion Encosta De Lago covered 227 mares. By allowing a stallion to cover only a couple of hundred mares
3321-543: A succession of fences and are generally run over longer distances. There are both hurdles (generally shorter with lower obstacles), and steeplechases (generally longer with higher obstacles). Animal welfare groups have been campaigning for around 30 years to abolish hurdle and steeplechase events in Australia. Many aspects to the sport pose serious risk to horses, and it harms horses at a rate far above that of flat racing. In 1991, an Australian Senate Select Committee address on animal welfare concluded they had serious concerns about
3444-503: A total of only 27 or 28 stallions from the 18th and 19th centuries. The mares used as foundation breeding stock came from a variety of breeds, some of which, such as the Irish Hobby , had developed in northern Europe prior to the 13th century. Other mares were of oriental breeding, including Barb, Turk and other bloodlines, although most researchers conclude that the number of Eastern mares imported into England during
3567-580: A total value of 43,033,881 guineas, making an average of 15,110 guineas per horse. Australian prices at auction during the 2007–2008 racing and breeding season were as follows: 1,223 Australian weanlings sold for a total of $ 31,352,000, an average of $ 25,635 each. Four thousand, nine hundred and three yearlings sold for a total value of A$ 372,003,961, an average of A$ 75,853. Five hundred two-year-olds sold for A$ 13,030,150, an average of A$ 26,060, and 2,118 broodmares totalled A$ 107,720,775, an average of A$ 50,860. Averages, however, can be deceiving. For example, at
3690-401: A visible drop in the angle of the fetlock. Catastrophic ruptured tendons account for as much as 3% of all tendon injuries. Tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon. Tendons connect muscles to bone and normally have an elastic property so that they can stretch. Tendinitis occurs when the tendon is overstretched or overloaded, which causes straining (tearing) of individual or multiple fibers and
3813-412: A year rather than the couple of thousand possible with artificial insemination, it also preserves the high prices paid for horses of the finest or most popular lineages. Concern exists that the closed stud book and tightly regulated population of the Thoroughbred is at risk of loss of genetic diversity because of the level of inadvertent inbreeding inevitable in such a small population. According to
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3936-420: A young horse (including foals) may actually be beneficial to the overall soundness of the animal. This is because, during the training process, microfractures occur in the leg followed by bone remodeling. If the remodeling is given sufficient time to heal, the bone becomes stronger. If proper remodeling occurs before hard training and racing begins, the horse will have a stronger musculoskeletal system and will have
4059-415: A younger age than in the past and that had more speed. In the early 18th century, the emphasis had been on longer races, up to 4 miles (6.4 km), that were run in multiple heats. The older style of race favored older horses, but with the change in distances, younger horses became preferred. Selective breeding for speed and racing ability led to improvements in the size of horses and winning times by
4182-569: Is a horse breed developed for horse racing . Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are considered " hot-blooded " horses that are known for agility, speed, and spirit. The Thoroughbred was developed in 17th- and 18th-century England, when native mares were crossbred with imported stallions of Arabian , Barb , and Turkoman breeding. All modern Thoroughbreds can trace their pedigrees to three stallions imported into England in
4305-692: Is a proper noun referring to this specific breed, though often not capitalized, especially in non-specialist publications, and outside the US. For example, the Australian Stud Book, The New York Times , and the BBC do not capitalize the word. Flat racing existed in England by at least 1174, when four-mile races took place at Smithfield , in London. Racing continued at fairs and markets throughout
4428-407: Is a large agribusiness , generating around $ 34 billion in revenue annually in the United States and providing about 470,000 jobs through a network of farms, training centers, and race tracks . Unlike a significant number of registered breeds, a horse cannot be registered as a Thoroughbred (with The Jockey Club registry) unless conceived by live cover , the witnessed natural mating of a mare and
4551-427: Is a multi‐factorial event that involves the complex interaction of a number of risk factors. The effect of each individual factor and its importance can be measured by evaluating its relative risk. Male horses are overall at a higher risk of catastrophic injury than female horses, with an overall odds ratio of 1.48. This does vary by study and country, including odds ratios of 1.12 in 1.61 in Australia, 1.76 in Canada,
4674-405: Is also used for show jumping and combined training because of its athleticism, and many retired and retrained race horses become fine family riding horses, dressage horses, and youth show horses. The larger horses are sought for hunter/jumper and dressage competitions, whereas the smaller horses are in demand as polo ponies. Thoroughbred horses are primarily bred for racing under saddle at
4797-529: Is approximately 30% among Thoroughbred racehorses in training, mostly in the SDFT of the forelimbs. Horsemen frequently refer to tendonitis as bowed tendon due to the bowed appearance of the SDFT. Bowed tendons force 25% of racehorses to retire and are the most common non-fatal career-ending injury. Racehorses are so often retired after tendinitis because as many as 70% will not be able to return to their previous level of performance and more than 66% of them will have
4920-470: Is as common in Standardbred racehorses as it is in Thoroughbred racehorses. Higher degrees of EIPH undoubtedly result in poor performance and, on rare occasions, death. Epistaxis is EIPH characterized by blood appearing at the nostrils. Epistaxis is observed in approximately 5% of horses with EIPH. There are slight differences in the definition of a "bleeder" in various racing jurisdictions throughout
5043-664: Is bleeding in the lungs. There are many theories regarding the causes of EIPH. The most widely accepted theory is that the high blood pressure from heavy exercise coupled with vacuum-like effects that occur during a deep inhalation causes the capillaries to rupture. The prevalence of EIPH varies with the method used to detect it and the frequency with which horses are examined. Almost all Thoroughbred racehorses in active training have some degree of EIPH, as many as 93% according to The Merck Veterinary Manual . When examined after each of three races, 87% of Standardbred racehorses had evidence of EIPH on at least one occasion, suggesting that EIPH
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5166-445: Is caused by overextension of the carpus. Knee injuries, the second most common non-fatal career-ending injury, force 16% of racehorses to retire. A ruptured tendon usually refers to the complete separation of a tendon. Tendon separation results in a complete loss of the tendon fibers, a marked increase in tendon cross-sectional area, and loss of support in the limb. A totally ruptured superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) will cause
5289-547: Is thought to be largely responsible for the gray coat color in Thoroughbreds. In all, about 160 stallions have been traced in the historical record as contributing to the creation of the Thoroughbred. The addition of horses of Eastern bloodlines, whether Arabian, Barb, or Turk, to the native English mares ultimately led to the creation of the General Stud Book (GSB) in 1791 and the practice of official registration of horses. According to Peter Willett, about 50% of
5412-403: Is very rare, but is a recognized color separate from gray. The face and lower legs may be marked with white, but white will generally not appear on the body. Coat patterns that have more than one color on the body, such as Pinto or Appaloosa , are not recognized by mainstream breed registries. Good-quality Thoroughbreds have a well-chiseled head on a long neck, high withers , a deep chest,
5535-478: The 2,000 Guineas Stakes and the 1,000 Guineas Stakes were founded in 1809 and 1814. The 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks are restricted to fillies , but the others are open to racehorses of either sex aged three years. The distances of these races, ranging from one mile (1.6 km) to 1.75 miles (2.82 km), led to a change in breeding practices, as breeders concentrated on producing horses that could race at
5658-578: The American Civil War were both between Lexington and Lecompte. The first was held in 1854 in New Orleans and was won by Lecompte. Lexington's owner then challenged Lecompte's owner to a rematch, held in 1855 in New Orleans and won by Lexington. Both of these horses were sons of Boston, a descendant of Sir Archy. Lexington went on to a career as a breeding stallion, and led the sires list of number of winners for sixteen years, fourteen of them in
5781-676: The American Colonies was Bulle Rock , imported in 1730. Maryland and Virginia were the centers of Colonial Thoroughbred breeding, along with South Carolina and New York. During the American Revolution importations of horses from England practically stopped but were restarted after the signing of a peace treaty. Two important stallions were imported around the time of the Revolution; Messenger in 1788 and Diomed before that. Messenger left little impact on
5904-709: The Dutch Warmblood , Hanoverian , and Selle Français . Some warmblood registries note the percentage of Thoroughbred breeding, and many warmblood breeds have an open stud book that continues to allow Thoroughbred crossbreeding. Although Thoroughbreds are seen in the hunter-jumper world and in other disciplines, modern Thoroughbreds are primarily bred for speed, and racehorses have a very high rate of accidents as well as other health problems. One tenth of all Thoroughbreds suffer orthopedic problems, including fractures. Current estimates indicate that there are 1.5 career-ending breakdowns for every 1,000 horses starting
6027-500: The Middle Ages and into the reign of King James I of England . It was then that handicapping , a system of adding weight to attempt to equalize a horse's chances of winning as well as improved training procedures, began to be used. During the reigns of Charles II , William III , Anne , and George I , the foundation of the Thoroughbred was laid. The term "thro-bred" to describe horses was first used in 1713. Under Charles II,
6150-1079: The Morgan , a breed that went on to influence many of the gaited breeds in North America. Other common crosses with the Thoroughbred include crossbreeding with Arabian bloodlines to produce the Anglo-Arabian as well as with the Irish Draught to produce the Irish Sport Horse . Thoroughbreds have been foundation bloodstock for various Warmblood breeds due to their refinement and performance capabilities. Crossbred horses developed from Thoroughbreds, (informally categorized as "hot bloods" because of temperament) crossed on sturdy draft horse breeds, (classified as "cold bloods" for their more phlegmatic temperament) are known as "warmbloods," which are commonly seen in competitive events such as show jumping and dressage. Examples include
6273-457: The U.S. Army used Thoroughbred stallions as part of their Remount Service , which was designed to improve the stock of cavalry mounts. Thoroughbreds began to be imported to France in 1817 and 1818 with the importation of a number of stallions from England, but initially the sport of horse racing did not prosper in France. The first Jockey Club in France was not formed until 1833, and in 1834
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#17327729969446396-535: The United States before Messenger and Diomed, became important broodmare and dam sires by producing foundation stock , and their daughters and granddaughters were bred primarily to Diomed . After the American Revolution, the center of Thoroughbred breeding and racing in the United States moved west. Kentucky and Tennessee became significant centers. Andrew Jackson , later President of
6519-567: The gallop . Thoroughbreds are often known for being either distance runners or sprinters, and their conformation usually reflects what they have been bred to do. Sprinters are usually well muscled, while stayers , or distance runners, tend to be smaller and slimmer. The size of the horse is one consideration for buyers and trainers when choosing a potential racehorse. Although there have been champion racehorses of every height, from Zenyatta who stood 17.2 hands, to Man o' War and Secretariat who both stood at 16.2 hands, down to Hyperion , who
6642-424: The 100 years after 1660 was small. The 19th-century researcher Bruce Lowe identified 50 mare "families" in the Thoroughbred breed, later augmented by other researchers to 74. However, it is probable that fewer genetically unique mare lines existed than Lowe identified. Recent studies of the mtDNA of Thoroughbred mares indicate that some of the mare lines thought to be genetically distinct may actually have had
6765-709: The 17th and 18th centuries, and to a larger number of foundation mares of mostly English breeding. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Thoroughbred breed spread throughout the world; they were imported into North America starting in 1730 and into Australia, Europe, Japan and South America during the 19th century. Millions of Thoroughbreds exist, and around 100,000 foals are registered each year worldwide. Thoroughbreds are used mainly for racing, but are also bred for other riding disciplines such as show jumping , combined training , dressage , polo , and fox hunting . They are also commonly crossbred to create new breeds or to improve existing ones, and have been influential in
6888-494: The 1830s, the Australian colonies began to import Thoroughbreds, almost exclusively for racing purposes, and to improve the local stock. Each colony formed its own racing clubs and held its own races. Gradually, the individual clubs were integrated into one overarching organization, now known as the Australian Racing Board . Thoroughbreds from Australia were imported into New Zealand in the 1840s and 1850s, with
7011-522: The 2007 Fall Yearling sale at Keeneland, 3,799 young horses sold for a total of $ 385,018,600, for an average of $ 101,347 per horse. However, that average sales price reflected a variation that included at least 19 horses that sold for only $ 1,000 each and 34 that sold for over $ 1,000,000 apiece. The highest price paid at auction for a Thoroughbred was set in 2006 at $ 16,000,000 for a two-year-old colt named The Green Monkey . Record prices at auction often grab headlines, though they do not necessarily reflect
7134-587: The American Thoroughbred, but is considered a foundation sire of the Standardbred breed. Diomed, who won the Derby Stakes in 1780, had a significant impact on American Thoroughbred breeding, mainly through his son Sir Archy . John F. Wall, a racing historian, said that Sir Archy was the "first outstanding stallion we can claim as native American." He was retired from the racetrack because of lack of opponents. Medley and Shark, who arrived in
7257-648: The Brighton Beach Race Course was the oldest horse track in steady use in the New York City area. The former racetrack, later known as the Brighton Beach Motordrome was then used for automobile racing for a time and after other measures failed to make it viable, the facility was finally torn down and by the 1920s replaced by residential housing. 40°34′45″N 73°57′49″W / 40.57917°N 73.96361°W / 40.57917; -73.96361 Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred
7380-686: The British Racing Authority states there were 8,556 horses in training for flat racing for 2007, and those horses started 60,081 times in 5,659 races. Statistically, fewer than 50% of all race horses ever win a race, and less than 1% ever win a stakes race such as the Kentucky Derby or Epsom Derby . Any horse who has yet to win a race is known as a maiden. Horses finished with a racing career that are not suitable for breeding purposes often become riding horses or other equine companions. A number of agencies exist to help make
7503-500: The Darley Arabian. However, in modern Thoroughbred pedigrees, most horses have more crosses to the Godolphin Arabian (13.8%) than to the Darley Arabian (6.5%) when all lines of descent (maternal and paternal) are considered. Further, as a percentage of contributions to current Thoroughbred bloodlines, Curwen's Bay Barb (4.2%) appears more often than the Byerley Turk (3.3%). The majority of modern Thoroughbreds alive trace to
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#17327729969447626-520: The English Thoroughbred's General Stud Book was one of the first breed registries created, in modern usage horse breeders consider it incorrect to refer to any animal as a thoroughbred except for horses belonging to the Thoroughbred breed. Nonetheless, breeders of other species of purebred animals may use the two terms interchangeably, though thoroughbred is less often used for describing purebred animals of other species. The term
7749-602: The GSB. The act was not repealed until 1949, after which a horse was only required to show that all its ancestors to the ninth generation were registered in a recognized Stud Book. Many felt that the Jersey Act hampered the development of the British Thoroughbred by preventing breeders in the United Kingdom from using new bloodlines developed outside the British Isles. The first Thoroughbred horse in
7872-785: The Middle East in the late 17th and early 18th centuries: the Byerley Turk (1680s), the Darley Arabian (1704), and the Godolphin Arabian (1729). Other imported stallions were less influential, but still made noteworthy contributions to the breed. These included the Alcock's Arabian , D'Arcy's White Turk, Leedes Arabian, and Curwen's Bay Barb . Another was the Brownlow Turk, who, among other attributes,
7995-455: The United Kingdom, and 1.52–2.21 in the United States. In South America, the overall odds ratio of fatalities for male versus female horses is 1.48, although it varies from 1.30 to 1.99, depending on the racecourse. Although there is mixed data, entire males are at an overall higher risk of catastrophic injury than geldings, with an overall odds ratio of 1.36, although that value is not statistically significant. Overall, older horses are at
8118-536: The United States , was a breeder and racer of Thoroughbreds in Tennessee. Match races held in the early 19th century helped to popularize horse racing in the United States. One took place in 1823, in Long Island, New York , between Sir Henry and American Eclipse . Another was a match race between Boston and Fashion in 1838 that featured bets of $ 20,000 from each side. The last major match races before
8241-478: The United States have historically been used not only for racing but also to improve other breeds. The early import Messenger was the foundation of the Standardbred, and Thoroughbred blood was also instrumental in the development of the American Quarter Horse . The foundation stallion of the Morgan breed is held by some to have been sired by a Thoroughbred. Between World War I and World War II,
8364-463: The United States, and from £2000 to £75,000 or more in Britain. The record stud fee to date was set in the 1980s, when the stud fee of the late Northern Dancer reached $ 1 million. During the 2008 Australian breeding season seven stallions stood at a stud fee of A$ 110,000 or more, with the highest fee in the nation at A$ 302,500. Although the Thoroughbred is primarily bred for racing , the breed
8487-414: The anatomy of the horse cannot always cope with." Poor breeding may be encouraged by the fact that many horses are sent to the breeding shed following an injury. If the injury is linked to a conformational fault , the fault is likely to be passed to the next generation. Additionally, some breeders will have a veterinarian perform straightening procedures on a horse with crooked legs. This can help increase
8610-417: The animal's future success; in the case of The Green Monkey, injuries limited him to only three career starts before being retired to stud in 2008, and he never won a race. Conversely, even a highly successful Thoroughbred may be sold by the pound for a few hundred dollars to become horsemeat . The best-known example of this was the 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand , exported to Japan to stand at stud, but
8733-537: The average weanling sold for $ 44,407, the average yearling sold for $ 55,300, average sale price for two-year-olds was $ 61,843, broodmares averaged $ 70,150, and horses over two and broodmare prospects sold for an average of $ 53,243. For Europe, the July 2007 Tattersall's Sale sold 593 horses at auction, with a total for the sale of 10,951,300 guineas , for an average of 18,468 guineas. Also in 2007, Doncaster Bloodstock Sales, another British sales firm, sold 2,248 horses for
8856-627: The average height of a Thoroughbred in 1700 was about 13.3 hands high. By 1876 this had increased to 15.3. In 2007, there were 71,959 horses who started in races in the United States, and the average Thoroughbred racehorse in the United States and Canada ran 6.33 times in that year. In Australia, there were 31,416 horses in training during 2007, and those horses started 194,066 times for A$ 375,512,579 of prize money. During 2007, in Japan, there were 23,859 horses in training and those horses started 182,614 times for A$ 857,446,268 of prize money. In Britain,
8979-407: The best Arabian of the time, Asil. The race was over 3 miles (4,800 m), and although Iambic was handicapped by carrying 4.5 stone (29 kg; 63 lb) more than Asil, he still managed to beat Asil by 20 lengths. The improvement of the breed for racing in this way was said by noted 19th century racing writer, Nimrod, to have created "the noblest animal in the creation". An aspect of
9102-435: The bone to adapt fast enough. 70% of young Thoroughbred racehorses in training develop the problem, usually in the first six months. As horses become older, the cannon bone becomes stiffer and thus bucked shins rarely occur again. Approximately 12% of horses that develop bucked shins go on to have stress or saucer fractures later. Bucked shins force 7% of racehorses to retire. Splints are new bone formation (exostoses) along
9225-402: The bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Skeletal fractures account for 87% of fatal injuries. When a horse's leg hits the ground at racing speed on a straightaway, it bears a load that is three times its weight (with the exception of harness racing ). When negotiating a turn, centrifugal force increases the load to between 5 and 10 times body weight. When a horse hits the ground,
9348-506: The change, and that regulators were the only voice in North American racing for the horse. RCI was originally called National Association of State Racing Commissioners and consists of mainly North American regulators whose goal is uniform rules and practices and reciprocity in enforcing each member's official rulings. Feeling no pain, an injured horse on drugs may continue to charge down the track, endangering every horse and jockey in
9471-452: The construction of the fetlock joint, luxation will result in either a complete rupture of the flexor tendons and suspensory ligament or a lateral disarticulation. The joint capsule may also be completely ruptured and the articular portion of the bones exposed to view. An osselet is inflammation ( arthritis ) of the metacarpophalangeal joint (fetlock) of the equine front leg. Osselets are a result of trauma, such as hard, heavy, or fast use,
9594-478: The creation of the Quarter Horse , Standardbred , Anglo-Arabian , and various warmblood breeds. Thoroughbred racehorses perform with maximum exertion, which has resulted in high accident rates and health problems such as bleeding from the lungs . Other health concerns include low fertility , abnormally small hearts, and a small hoof-to-body-mass ratio. There are several theories for the reasons behind
9717-481: The direct result of injury. It was not the break in Barbaro's leg that necessitated his destruction, but the hoof disease laminitis . Barbaro's team of doctors, led by Dr. Dean Richardson, were able to repair his broken leg, but not the excruciatingly painful laminitis that followed. Support limb laminitis, which is the specific type Barbaro had, is caused by over-stressing the good leg during recovery from an injury in
9840-525: The dominant sires of Thoroughbreds in the later part of the 20th century. Other countries in Europe have Thoroughbred breeding programs, including Germany, Russia, Poland, and Hungary. Horses arrived in Australia with the First Fleet in 1788 along with the earliest colonists. Although horses of part-Thoroughbred blood were imported into Australia during the late 18th century, it is thought that
9963-610: The early 1910s, led to the Jersey Act of 1913. It prohibited the registration of any horse in the General Stud Book (GSB) if they could not show that every ancestor traced to the GSB. This excluded most American-bred horses, because the 100-year gap between the founding of the GSB and the American Stud Book meant that most American-bred horses possessed at least one or two crosses to horses not registered in
10086-613: The events leading up to injuries are not random. Like disease, they follow a distinct pattern. Studying these patterns has made it possible to learn to predict and prevent injuries from occurring. Injuries, whether unintentional or intentional, can be considered any physical damage or harm caused to the body resulting in impairment or destruction of health. Injuries lead to death, disability, and financial loss. Comparing injury and fatality rates among countries can be difficult due to different definitions used in collecting data. In Japan from 1985−1994, 0.32% of runners died or were euthanized as
10209-505: The first Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit in 2006. The database has three objectives: 1) to identify the frequency, type, and outcome of horse racing injuries using a standardized format that will generate valid composite statistics; 2) identify markers for horses at increased risk of injury; and 3) to serve as a data source for research directed at improving safety and preventing injuries. The Equine Injury Database (EID)
10332-551: The first direct importation from England occurring in 1862. Thoroughbreds have been exported to many other areas of the world since the breed was created. Oriental horses were imported into South Africa from the late 17th century in order to improve the local stock through crossbreeding. Horse racing was established there in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and Thoroughbreds were imported in increasing numbers. The first Thoroughbred stallions arrived in Argentina in 1853, but
10455-441: The first mares did not arrive until 1865. The Argentine Stud Book was first published in 1893. Thoroughbreds were imported into Japan from 1895, although it was not until after World War II that Japan began a serious breeding and racing business involving Thoroughbreds. The number of Thoroughbred foals registered each year in North America varies greatly, chiefly linked to the success of the auction market which in turn depends on
10578-438: The first of August. These artificial dates have been set to enable the standardization of races and other competitions for horses in certain age groups. The Thoroughbred is a distinct breed of horse, although people sometimes refer to a purebred horse of any breed as a thoroughbred . The term for any horse or other animal derived from a single breed line is purebred . While the term probably came into general use because
10701-531: The first pureblood Thoroughbred was a stallion named Northumberland who was imported from England in 1802 as a coach horse sire. By 1810, the first formal race meets were organized in Sydney, and by 1825 the first mare of proven Thoroughbred bloodlines arrived to join the Thoroughbred stallions already there. In 1825, the Sydney Turf Club , the first true racing club in Australia, was formed. Throughout
10824-933: The fore. It was also after the Civil War that the American Thoroughbred returned to England to race. Iroquois became the first American-bred winner of the Epsom Derby in 1881. The success of American-bred Thoroughbreds in England led to the Jersey Act in 1913, which limited the importation of American Thoroughbreds into England. After World War I , the breeders in America continued to emphasize speed and early racing age but also imported horses from England, and this trend continued past World War II. After World War II , Thoroughbred breeding remained centered in Kentucky, but California , New York, and Florida also emerged as important racing and breeding centers. Thoroughbreds in
10947-554: The formation of a lesion. A lesion is strained tendon fibers with associated hemorrhage (bleeding) and edema (fluid retention). Often strained tendons go undetected or may be subclinical before the clinical signs of tendonitis are observed. Tendinitis is characterized by heat, swelling, and pain. Racehorses often experience tendinitis when transitioning from sedentary activity to conditioning work; thus, young horses and those returning to exercise from lay-off are those most expected to suffer from tendinitis. The incidence of tendon injuries
11070-431: The foundation stallions appear to have been of Arabian bloodlines, with the remainder being evenly divided between Turkoman and Barb breeding. Each of the three major foundation sires was, coincidentally, the ancestor of a grandson or great-great-grandson who was the only male descendant to perpetuate each respective horse's male line: Matchem was the only descendant of his grandsire, the Godolphin Arabian, to maintain
11193-441: The great match race between Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure at Belmont Park , with 18 million viewers. The horse racing industry has been trying to adapt to increased safety concerns ever since. Accidents and disputes were so bad in 1732 England, soon after nobility first started racing Thoroughbreds , that participants were ending up in court. The "Sport of Kings" has been described as an exercise in controlled chaos, with
11316-404: The greatest blood supply respond most quickly to conditioning. The first tissues to respond are the horse's heart and lungs, then its muscles, and last are tendons and bones. The heart, lungs and muscles possess an excellent blood supply. Ligaments, tendons and joint capsules are relatively poorly supplied with blood and strengthening them can take two to four times as long. Bones and hooves require
11439-494: The health issues involving Thoroughbreds suggests that inbreeding is the culprit. It has also been suggested that capability for speed is enhanced in an already swift animal by raising muscle mass, a form of selective breeding that has created animals designed to win horse races . Thus, according to one postulation, the modern Thoroughbred travels faster than its skeletal structure can support. Veterinarian Robert M. Miller states that "We have selectively bred for speeds that
11562-554: The horse's price at a sale and perhaps help the horse have a sounder racing career, but the genes for poor legs will still be passed on. A high accident rate may also occur because Thoroughbreds, particularly in the United States, are first raced as 2-year-olds, well before they are completely mature. Though they may appear full-grown and are in superb muscular condition, their bones are not fully formed. However, catastrophic injury rates are higher in 4- and 5-year-olds than in 2- and 3-year-olds. Some believe that correct, slow training of
11685-415: The involved splint bone. In the young horse the interosseous ligament which attaches the splint bones to the cannon can become damaged or torn from the concussive and rotational forces of exercise. This will cause heat, pain and swelling in the area between the splint and the cannon. In an attempt to stabilise this damaged attachment, new bone will be laid down around the ligament resulting in the formation of
11808-515: The jockeys described as "daredevils", and the racehorses as "unpredictable". As a response to this, stewardship of racing began to evolve in 1751 when the first set of recorded racing rules were printed and in 1752 when Britain's Jockey Club started to become racing's first regulatory authority. 1885 Kentucky Derby winner Joe Cotton was euthanized after breaking his leg while tripping over two other horses who had fallen in front of him in an 1888 race. In 1990, apprentice jockey Benny Narvaez
11931-411: The longest period of time to develop their full density and strength. A British study showed that 78% of fractures occur during training. The substantial proportion of fractures that occurred during training emphasised the importance of studying these injuries away from the racecourse and the large number of stress injuries suggested that training regimes for young Thoroughbreds could be improved to create
12054-403: The mid- to late 1980s. Since the inaugural running of the event in 1984, there has been an injury in virtually every Cup renewal. This national publicity backfired when horse racing increasingly came under attack from animal rights groups in the early 1990s. In the 1990 Breeders' Cup Distaff , champion two-year-old and three-year-old filly Go for Wand got back up after breaking her ankle. She
12177-408: The middle of the 19th century. Bay Middleton , a winner of the Epsom Derby, stood over 16 hands high, a full hand higher than the Darley Arabian. Winning times had improved to such a degree that many felt further improvement by adding additional Arabian bloodlines was impossible. This was borne out in 1885, when a race was held between a Thoroughbred, Iambic, considered a mid-grade runner, and
12300-454: The modern British breeding establishment is that they breed not only for flat racing, but also for steeplechasing . Up until the end of the 19th century, Thoroughbreds were bred not only for racing but also as saddle horses. Soon after the start of the 20th century, fears that the English races would be overrun with American-bred Thoroughbreds because of the closing of US racetracks in
12423-407: The most common breeds for use in polo in the United States. They are often seen in the fox hunting field as well. Thoroughbreds are often crossed with horses of other breeds to create new breeds or to enhance or introduce specific qualities into existing ones. They have been influential on many modern riding horse breeds, such as the American Quarter Horse , the Standardbred , and possibly
12546-562: The north, Coney Island Avenue on the east, and Brighton Beach Avenue on the south. An instant success, the race track drew wealthy patrons from New York City, and harness racing was introduced there in 1901. Among its most important Thoroughbred horse racing events were the Brighton Derby for three-year-olds and the Brighton Handicap that was open to older horses. On July 17, 1900, James R. Keene 's horse Voter set
12669-422: The number of starters in a race was found to be statistically significant in association with the risk of catastrophic injury for two of four tracks studied, with odds ratios of 1.13 and 1.07 per additional starter. Some studies have found a larger number of starts to be associated with injuries, and others have not. Catastrophic injuries are often the acute manifestation of a more chronic process. Tissues with
12792-641: The opposite limb. A 1986 survey done by the Morris Animal Foundation found that laminitis was the fourth leading cause of death among horses. AAEP members ranked laminitis as the most important disease needing further research in 2009. After the death of Barbaro in 2006, the North American Thoroughbred industry realized that individual studies were not adequate tools for evaluating ongoing efforts in injury prevention. The idea for an equine injury database came from
12915-453: The prevalence of accidents and health problems in the Thoroughbred breed, and research on the subject is ongoing. The typical Thoroughbred ranges from 15.2 to 17.0 hands (62 to 68 inches, 157 to 173 cm) high, averaging 16 hands (64 inches, 163 cm). They are most often bay , dark bay or brown , chestnut , black , or gray . Less common colors recognized in the United States include roan and palomino . White
13038-407: The price for a young horse. Prices of Thoroughbreds vary greatly, depending on age, pedigree , conformation , and other market factors. In 2007, Keeneland Sales , a United States–based sales company, sold 9,124 horses at auction, with a total value of $ 814,401,000, which gives an average price of $ 89,259. As a whole for the United States in 2007, The Jockey Club auction statistics indicated that
13161-909: The quarter, the thinnest and most delicate part of the hoof wall. Injury to the site may be the result of common things such as hard racetracks and uneven surfaces. Quarter cracks originate from the coronet and run down the hoof wall, rather than a sand crack that begins at the ground surface and runs up the hoof wall. Hoof cracks force 2% of racehorses to retire. The international community has identified important risk factors for injury or fatality in horse racing, with over 200 having been scientifically investigated. These include horse-related risk factors such as age, gender, and breeding; management-related risk factors such as training, medication, stewardship, economics, and jockeys; race-related factors such as type (flat or jump), distance, and field size; and track-related factors such as weather, surface, maintenance, and design. Injury, in particular catastrophic injury,
13284-530: The racing and regulation functions were split off to a new society, the Société d'Encouragement pour l'Amélioration des Races de Chevaux en France , better known as the Jockey-Club de Paris . The French Stud Book was founded at the same time by the government. By 1876, French-bred Thoroughbreds were regularly winning races in England, and in that year a French breeder-owner earned the most money in England on
13407-504: The repetitive impact produces microscopic cracks and crevices inside bone so tiny they are undetectable by standard X-rays. If the horse is not given enough time for healthy bone tissue to repair the damage with a process called remodeling , the cumulative stress can progress silently to the point where overload causes bones to break. In a 2009 white paper , the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) recommended
13530-531: The starting gate before the race. There was so much controversy over the handling of Mr Brooks that the Breeders' Cup implemented rigid pre-race inspections in 1993. The resulting media pressure from the deaths of Go for Wand and Mr Brooks prompted racing industries around the world to make a concerted effort at determining the extent of the problem and the causes. As evidenced by the death of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro , not all racehorse fatalities are
13653-556: The state of the economy. The foal crop was over 44,000 in 1990, but declined to roughly 22,500 by 2014. The largest numbers are registered in the states of Kentucky, Florida and California. Australia is the second largest producer of Thoroughbreds in the world with almost 30,000 broodmares producing about 18,250 foals annually. Britain produces about 5,000 foals a year, and worldwide, there are more than 195,000 active broodmares , or females being used for breeding, and 118,000 newly registered foals in 2006 alone. The Thoroughbred industry
13776-600: The track. World War I almost destroyed French breeding because of war damage and lack of races. After the war, the premier French race, the Grand Prix, resumed and continues to this day. During World War II , French Thoroughbred breeding did not suffer as it had during the first World War, and thus was able to compete on an equal footing with other countries after the war. Organized racing in Italy started in 1837, when race meets were established in Florence and Naples and
13899-631: The transition from the racetrack to another career, or to help find retirement homes for ex-racehorses. In addition to racing, Thoroughbreds compete in eventing , show jumping and dressage at the highest levels of international competition, including the Olympics . They are also used as show hunters , steeplechasers , and in Western riding speed events such as barrel racing . Mounted police divisions employ them in non-competitive work, and recreational riders also use them. Thoroughbreds are one of
14022-445: The welfare of horses in jumps races and recommended that state governments across the country phase out jumps racing over a three-year period. New South Wales and Tasmania abandoned the sport in 1997 and 2008 respectively, but Victoria and South Australia continue. Jumps racing has never been the massive industry in Australia that it is in Britain and Ireland, but even there some tracks have discontinued National Hunt racing . Nottingham
14145-469: The world. Some jurisdictions define bleeding as the appearance of blood at both nostrils, while other jurisdictions only require the appearance of blood at one nostril. There are also various regulations for each incident of bleeding throughout the world. The integumentary system consists of the skin, hooves, hair, and glands. Hoof cracks are separations or breaks in the wall of a hoof. The most common type of hoof cracks are quarter cracks, which occur at
14268-546: The year following Polytrack installation. The material is not perfected, and some areas report problems related to winter weather, but studies are continuing. Racehorse injuries Two years after Secretariat 's record-breaking US Triple Crown took the sport in the United States to a new level of popularity, the breakdown and death of Ruffian brought on a new era of safety concerns. The breakdown and death of racehorses at races had been known of for centuries, but had never before been witnessed in an event so widely seen as
14391-453: Was found to be have a statistically significant impact on the rate of catastrophic injuries in one of four racecourses studied, with an odds ratio of 1.09 per additional 100 meters of distance. The EID reports distances in categories of under 6 furlongs , 6–8 furlongs, and over 8 furlongs. Shorter races have a higher incidence of fatalities than longer races. Overall, higher class races (defined as allowance , stakes , or handicaps ) have
14514-790: Was launched in 2008 following a one-year pilot project where injury reports were submitted by racetracks in a hard copy form. InCompass Solutions, Inc. and The Jockey Club Technology Services, Inc., subsidiaries of The Jockey Club, underwrote the costs of the Database. Since the start of the EID, there has been a downward trend in the rate of fatalities. This trend has been found to be statistically significant. Racehorse injuries are distinguished in their classification by whether they are considered accidents or injuries; where injuries are considered to follow predictable patterns, accidents are not. The science of injury prevention has demonstrated that injuries and
14637-407: Was only 15.1, the best racehorses are generally of average size. Larger horses mature more slowly and have more stress on their legs and feet, predisposing them to lameness. Smaller horses are considered by some to be at a disadvantage due to their shorter stride and a tendency of other horses to bump them, especially in the starting gate. Historically, Thoroughbreds have steadily increased in size:
14760-550: Was paralyzed from the chest down after his horse threw him while jumping over another horse who had broken down directly in front of him during a race at Tampa Bay Downs. A jury found that Tampa Bay Downs was responsible for Narvaez's injury because the track veterinarian failed to perform an adequate pre-race examination on the horse that broke down. National television coverage of the Breeders' Cup by NBC helped generate millions in revenue and publicity for Thoroughbred racing in
14883-469: Was the first to discontinue jumps racing in 1996, followed by Windsor in 1998 (where it is being reinstated for the 2024/25 season) and Wolverhampton in 2002. Lingfield and Kempton have considered discontinuing jumps racing as well. Injuries are a consequence of demand exceeding the capacity of the tissues and structures of the biological systems. The musculoskeletal system is by far the most commonly injured system. The musculoskeletal system consists of
15006-470: Was ultimately slaughtered in 2002, presumably for pet food. However, the value of a Thoroughbred may also be influenced by the purse money it wins. In 2007, Thoroughbred racehorses earned a total of $ 1,217,854,602 in all placings, an average earnings per starter of $ 16,924. In addition, the track record of a race horse may influence its future value as a breeding animal. Stud fees for stallions that enter breeding can range from $ 2,500 to $ 500,000 per mare in
15129-454: Was unable to finish the race; however, she did stand up. Handlers caught her and made her lie down; she was immediately euthanized on the track. In the 1992 Breeders' Cup Sprint , the five-year-old European horse Mr Brooks fractured his cannon bone and fell on top of his jockey, Lester Piggott . Piggott had told fellow European jockey Walter Swinburn before the race that the horse did not warm up well. Mr Brooks had also been reluctant to go in
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