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Month: March 2018

Paul Husband Presents Free Webinar: How the New 2018 USA Tax Laws Affect Your Horse Business

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March 19, 2018 – Notable equine law and tax attorney, Paul Husband will present a free webinar for all horse owners and equine business professionals on Monday, March 19th at 5:30 p.m. PST / 8:30 p.m. EST.

Hosted by Equestrian Professional, the webinar entitled: “Pros and Cons – How the New 2018 USA Tax Laws Could Affect Your Horse Business” is a must to find out whether the new tax law will be good or bad for your horse operation.  The new tax law – the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was signed late in 2017 and is now in effect. Yet, most are not informed about how it will affect their business and personal taxes.

 

As stated by Equestrian Professional, “Mr. Husband’s expertise in both equine business and tax matters makes him the ideal speaker for this event.”

 

Hundreds have already registered, and space is filling quickly. To reserve your spot, visit www.equestrianprofessional.com and click “Free Resources” or access the direct link at http://www.equestrianprofessional.com/public/Free-Webinar-Pros-and-Cons-How-the-New-USA-Tax-Law-Could-Affect-Your-Horse-Business.cfm

Paul Husband of Husband Law provides business and litigation services in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Tax Court, as well as tax and business planning for both for-profit and non-profit organizations. He has raised, shown and raced Arabian horses for most of his life, served for 20 years as an American Horse Shows Association Judge, has published numerous tax and equine law articles, reports and publications and is a sought-after public speaker at local and national events. He has been a member of the Board of Advisors and Contributors to The American Horse Council Tax Bulletin, is a member of the Graded Stakes Committee of the Arabian Jockey Club and is Vice President and a Director of the American College of Equine Attorneys.

 

To schedule Mr. Husband for a future speaking event, or to inquire about his tax and legal services, contact: Ph: (818) 955-8585, paul.husband@husbandlaw.com, or visit www.husbandlaw.com.

Dontmesswithjoanne Makes Powerful Stretch Run To Win The Red Camelia Stakes

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Dontmesswithjoanne_3-18-2018-IR
Dontmesswithjoanne with jockey Joe Bravo aboard captures the 42nd running of the Red Camelia Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

Red Camelia Stakes
Fair Grounds, 3-17-18, @ 1 mile, turf, $60,000
Accredited Louisiana Breds, 4-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares

DONTMESSWITHJOANNE
Pioneerof the Nile–Cinnamon Kisses
Breeder: Gulf Haven Farms, LLC
Owner: Zayat Stables, LLC
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Jockey: Joe Bravo

2nd
Mr. Al’s Gal
Salute the Sarge–Spanish Ice
Breeder: J. Adcock & Neal McFadden
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Justin Jeansonne
Jockey: Diego Saenz

3rd
Pera
Drosselmeyer–Changing Seasons
Breeder: James McIngvale
Owner: HP Thoroughbreds LLC (Brandon Hillman)
Trainer: Ricky Courville
Jockey: Ashley Broussard

 

By Ryan Martin

Zayat Stables LLC’s Dontmesswithjoanne ($12.60, $5.80, $4.20) laid well off the pace to score and made a big move down the top of the stretch to defeat ten other Louisiana-bred fillies and mares in the 42nd running of the Red Camelia Stakes over the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots’ Stall-Wilson Turf Course on Saturday afternoon.

Trained by Brad Cox, the 4-year-old daughter of Pioneerof the Nile was saving ground around the first turn and was unhurried throughout the early stages of the race. Meanwhile, Florida invader Viva Vegas set a slow pace early on and produced opening fractions of 24.05, 48.77, and 1:15.01. Mr. Al’s Gal tracked not too far behind in second. At the top of the stretch, Viva Vegas’ lead began to dwindle but she still appeared to have something left. However, Mr. Al’s Gal began to purse Viva Vegas to her inside and briefly took the lead, but was unable to hold off a charge from Dontmesswithjoanne who won going away with Joe Bravo in the irons. Mr. Al’s Gal ($6.60, $6.80) was second and 71-1 longshot Pera finished third ($19.60).  Dontmesswithjoanne finished in a time of 1:40.48.

“You had those times and with the soft turf I think they got a hold of it,” Bravo said. “With a filly like this you just have to make sure that she was happy. She picked herself and went with it. When you ride the best horse, it’s easy. That’s the bottom line.”

The Red Camelia Stakes was a first stakes victory for Dontmesswithjoanne, which pushed her career earnings to $158,695. She earned $36,000 from Saturday’s win. In 11 career starts, she has won four races with three seconds and one third.

Rounding out the order of finish were Pacific Pink, Viva Vegas, Inveniam Viam, Safari Calamari, P Boo, Temple Shadow, Tap City Baby and Beleiveinsomething.

Pair of Real Solution 2YOs sell for $1 Million at OBS March

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A pair of two-year-old colts from the first crop of Louisiana based stallion Real Solution sold at the March OBS Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale for $1,000,000. The two were in the top 15% of athletes sold through the two day sale which ended March 14. His average of $500,000 was the highest of any sire with more than one selling through the ring.

IMG_4699
Hip 479, 2YO Real Solution-Money Huntress colt brings the hammer down at $675,000 at OBS March, the 7th highest price of the sale.

Hip # 479, a bay colt consigned by Hoppel’s Horse & Cattle Co., Inc., Agent, was purchased by Mark Casse, agent for $675,000 bringing the 7th highest price of the sale. The Kentucky-bred is out of Money Huntress, an unraced daughter of Mineshaft. The colt is a half brother to G3 stakes winner Noble Beauty (Kitten’s Joy), and multiple stakes winner Adorable Miss (Kitten’s Joy).

Hip # 285, also a bay colt, was purchased by Klaravich Stable, Inc., for $325,000 from the consignment of Top Line Sales LLC, agent. His dam, Easy Slam, is a track record setting, winning daughter of Grand Slam, with four winners from four runners to date including juvenile G3 stakes winner Kitten Kaboodle (Kitten’s Joy). Consignor Torie Gladwell at Top Line Sales remarked, “If Real Solution’s first two training horses to hit the 2yr sales are any indication of what he is capable of, I want a barn full. Ours had the brains, body and good action on both the dirt and polly.”

IMG_4700
Hip #285, 2YO Real Solution-Easy Slam colt works the March OBS Under Tack Show

Real Solution is a two time G1 stakes winner with earnings of $1,374,175. He started his career in Italy, breaking his maiden in his first start at two and winning the Premio Botticelli at three. Moving to North America, he won the G1 Arlington Millions Stakes at four and the G1 Knob Creek Manhattan S. at five, and placed in three more Grade 1 events. In all he was on the board in 9 of 15 starts.

A son of Kitten’s Joy, his first four dams are by Pulpit, Dynaformer, Northern Dancer, and Buckpasser – a sire-producing family. Real Solution entered stud at Ramsay Farm in 2015, and stood his last two seasons at Calumet.  He has moved to Dex Comardelle’s Blue Star Racing in Scott, Louisiana for the 2018 season where he stands for a fee of  $5,000 live foal.

Louisiana Horsemen Aim to Strengthen Aftercare Support

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Lawmakers considering changes after stories showed Thoroughbreds in kill pens.

 

The Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association supports state legislation that would make changes to its aftercare program the organization believes will lead to greater participation.

Lawmakers are considering changes after stories and social media posts showed Thoroughbreds who had raced at Delta Downs in kill pens. Industry groups also are rallying to put additional safety nets in place.

The issues in Louisiana proved a timely topic for a panel on aftercare at the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association convention March 15 in New Orleans.

Louisiana HBPA president Benard Chatters said his organization supports the proposed legislation, which would have all horsemen participate in a program of financial support for aftercare that could be based on a per-start basis or a commitment from purse earnings. Chatters said the current Louisiana HBPA program allows horsemen to opt in to support aftercare, but he believes moving to a system where horsemen are in the program unless they opt out will see improved participation.

“If they’re already in the program, a lot of them won’t make the effort to opt out,” Chatters said, noting that there may not be full awareness of the current opt-in program.

Patrick Richmond, president of Louisiana Horse Rescue Association, said similar legislation has been proposed before, but he thinks the recent effort has a better chance of passing because of support from the Louisiana HBPA; Delta Downs and Evangeline Downs owner Boyd Gaming; state Quarter Horse breeders; and the racing commission. They expect support from the state’s other two track owners, Churchill Downs Inc. and Harrah’s.

Richmond said aftercare groups would like to see a commitment of $5 a start. Chatters said Louisiana HBPA might be more receptive to a plan that makes a commitment from purse earnings after a horse has won. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance operations consultant Stacie Clark, who moderated the panel, said either type of approach can work.

Michele Rodriguez, founder and president of Elite Thoroughbreds and a board member of the Louisiana Horse Rescue Association, said Boyd will commit to matching funds by horsemen, and she’s certain CDI also will get on board.

Chatters noted, with the emergence of social media, a small percentage of horsemen not acting properly can endanger the sport.

“The largest percentage of trainers and owners are responsible,” Chatters said. “It only takes one person, or one horse. … Something happens in some remote corner of the state, and all of a sudden it’s all over the nation because of social media.”

Panel participants and National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback said that something as simple as improved communication between horsemen and aftercare facilities can make the difference for a horse.

“We have to make that connection and keep them together,” Hamelback said. “Aftercare needs to become part of your business plan.”

Jessica Hammond, program administrator of Maryland’s Beyond the Wire—a state aftercare initiative of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, the Maryland Jockey Club, the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, and Maryland jockeys—encouraged horsemen from states without similar aftercare programs to take the initiative.

She said owners are contributing $11 a start, and it’s enjoyed about “99% participation.” She said jockeys will contribute about $60,000 this year. The program works with six TAA-accredited facilities.

“Just jump in. … You kind of just have to get the idea on how you want your program to run and just start it,” Hammond said. “You’re not going to have everything perfect from the get-go. You’re going to have to tweak things along the way, and that’s OK. There’s no reason for not starting.”

Hamelback emphasized that the stakes are high, and not having an aftercare plan in place is no longer acceptable.

“We have to educate people that there is a second chance after racing. We have to stop these horses from getting to the pen,” Hamelback said. “We need racetracks’ help, but we also need horsemen’s help when it comes to education.”

Prominent Owner Tom Benson Dies

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Owner of New Orleans Saints, Pelicans was active in Thoroughbred racing.

 

Tom Benson, a Louisiana sports icon who took his football and his basketball with a healthy side of horse racing, died March 15 at Oschner Medical Center in Jefferson, La., with his wife Gayle Marie Benson at his side. He was 90, and was hospitalized with the flu Feb. 16.

For all his success as owner of the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans, including the Saints’ Super Bowl XLIV victory and a plaque in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, there was one sports trophy the Louisiana native joked he might not want to claim. As much as he loved Thoroughbreds, as a savvy businessman Benson recognized how horses pull you in.

Greg Bensel, general manager of the Benson family’s GMB Racing—who confirmed Benson’s death through his role as senior vice president of communications and broadcasting for the New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans—spoke Wednesday at the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association convention in New Orleans. He recalled how Benson approached the morning of the 2016 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), just two years after GMB Racing was formed.

“We’d rented a home in Louisville. At breakfast he said, ‘You know, Greg, I don’t know that I really want to win the Kentucky Derby today.’ I said, ‘Why is that, Mr. Benson? He said, ‘If we do win, we have to buy more horses, a farm, and really get into this,” Bensel said.

While they dabbled in racehorse ownership in the 1970s and 1980s, the Bensons returned to the sport after a multi-decade absence with renewed vigor in 2014, inspired by the rags-to-riches story of two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome .

“He said, ‘Greg, what would it take for us to get in the business?’ I said, ‘Why don’t you give me a check for $2 million—that will be a start—and we’ll go out and hit the Keeneland September sale and we’ll buy some horses,'” Bensel said.

From their first modern crop of yearlings, they campaigned not one, but two starters in the 2016 Kentucky Derby—graded stakes winner Mo Tom (eighth for trainer Tom Amoss) and multiple graded stakes winner Tom’s Ready  (12th for trainer Dallas Stewart).

“We finished eighth and 12th, which I thought was respectable, but he ended up buying more horses and one of the most beautiful farms I’ve ever been on,” Bensel said, mentioning Benson Farm at Greenwood Lodge in Paris, Ky., home to a broodmare and boarding operation.

“We had tremendous, uncanny success. He realized that was not the norm in this business,” Benzel said. “It started out as a hobby for us, and now it’s nearly a $21 million business.”

Benson was born Thomas Milton Benson Jr., on July 12, 1927, in New Orleans. The son of Thomas Milton Benson Sr. and Carmelite Marie Pintado Benson, he was raised in the 7th Ward neighborhood of New Orleans and graduated from St. Aloysius High School (now Brother Martin High School) in 1944.

Benson enrolled at Loyola University New Orleans to study business and accounting. He interrupted his education to enlist in the U.S. Navy, where he was assigned to the USS South Dakota. Upon the conclusion of World War II, he returned to New Orleans and continued his business administration studies.

In 1948, Benson went to work as a bookkeeper for the Cathey Chevrolet Company in New Orleans, and by 1956, at age 29, was on his way to managing a Chevrolet dealership as a junior partner. Six years later, he took full control of the company and established a multi-dealership organization, with outlets throughout the New Orleans area and South Texas. In 1972, Benson entered the banking business and eventually took his banking network public as Benson Financial World.

In 1985, Benson purchased the New Orleans Saints after learning that the NFL franchise was on the verge of being sold to parties interested in relocating the team. He purchased the Saints on May 31, 1985. In 2012 Benson purchased the New Orleans Hornets NBA franchise and renamed it the New Orleans Pelicans the following season.

Through his sports teams, business interests, and the Gayle and Tom Benson Foundation, Benson was dedicated to assisting myriad charitable, faith-based, and educational causes in the New Orleans and South Texas communities. Under Benson’s direction, his businesses and sports teams annually have put millions of dollars back into the community in financial support, in-kind donations, charitable appearances, and the donations of goods and services.

“It is a sad day for Louisiana. Thank you for everything you have done for our state, our country, and the sport of horse racing,” Amoss said of Benson, in a statement posted on his Twitter account. “It is hard to put into words what you have meant to all of us. I am honored to have been a small part of your story.”

Details regarding public visitation and funeral will be forthcoming.

DIEGO SAENZ, KARL BROBERG AND END ZONE ATHLETICS, INC. REPEAT AS LEADING HORSEMEN AT DELTA DOWNS FOR 2017-18 SEASON

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84-DAY MEETING WRAPPED UP ON SATURDAY NIGHT WITH A 12-RACE CARD

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs closed out its 2017-18 Thoroughbred season on Saturday night with a special 12-race program. During the night, the track honored its leading horsemen for the 84-day meeting that began on October 18.

Jockey Diego Saenz won his second consecutive and fourth leading rider title overall at Delta Downs this year while Karl Broberg won his seventh consecutive leading trainer crown. The title of leading owner went to End Zone Athletics, Inc. for the sixth time in the last seven years. End Zone Athletics, Inc. is made up of Karl Broberg and Matt Johanson.

Saenz led all jockeys in terms of wins and mount earnings as he enjoyed 109 trips to the winner’s circle while his mounts earned a total of $2,530,635. The 39-year-old resident of Carencro, Louisiana had previously won titles during the 2009-10, 2013-14, and 2016-17 seasons.

Following Saenz in the final jockey standings were Timothy Thornton (93 wins), Gerard Melancon (69), Ashley Broussard (55), Roberto Morales (53), Luis Negron (47), Jansen Melancon (34), Jose Guerrero (30), Steve Bourque (27), and Eddie Martin, Jr. (26).

Karl Broberg saddled 83 winners to capture the leading trainer crown during the season and his barn also led all trainers in earnings with a total of $1,801,310. The 47-year-old resident of Arlington, Texas began his current streak of leading trainer titles at Delta Downs during the 2011-12 season and has led the entire nation in wins for four calendar years in a row, 2014-2017.

Rounding out the top 10 trainers for the season at Delta Downs were Eduardo Ramirez (34), Thomas Amoss (30), Brett Brinkman (28), Scott Gelner (26), Sam Breaux (24), Shane Wilson (24), Joel Berndt (19), Henry B. Johnson, Jr. (17), J. R. Caldwell (16).

End Zone Athletics Inc. saw 43 of their runners make it to the winner’s circle from 175 starts this year to earn the leading owner title again this year. The barn, which is made up of primarily allowance and claiming horses, tallied total earnings of $854,250.

Rounding out the top 10 owners for the meet were Karl Broberg (19), Red Rose Racing (Jimmy Johnson) (16), Maggi Moss (15), Wayne T. Davis (14), Norman Stables, LLC (Robert A. Norman) (12), Brittlyn Stable Inc. (Evelyn Benoit) (11), Indian Creek Thoroughbred Farm, LLC (Phillip Mark Dison) (9), Larry Elenz and Janice Krueger (9), and Donald Melancon (8).

Delta Downs is now preparing for its 2018 American Quarter Horse season, which gets underway on Friday, April 20. The 46-day stand will run through July 7 with live racing each Wednesday through Saturday night starting at 6:15 pm CT.

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4 off I-10.

BITSY’S AFLEET RALLIES TO WIN THE PELICAN STAKES

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BITSY'S AFLEET - Pelican Stakes - 7th Running - 03-10-18 - R07 - DED - Finish 2
Marcelino Pedroza guides Bitsy’s Afleet to victory in the 2018 Pelican Stakes at Delta Downs. Photo by Coady Photography.

Pelican Stakes
Delta Downs, 3-10-18, 6 1/2 furlongs, $80,000
Accredited Louisiana Bred, 3-year-olds

BITSY’S AFLEET
Northern Afleet–Streamin Bitsy
Breeder: Rose C. Hernandez & Earl Hernandez
Owner: Earl and Rose Hernandez
Trainer: Sam B. David, Jr.
Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza

2nd
Grand Luwegee
El Corredor–Magical Mia
Breeder: Gerard Perron
Owner: Gerard Perron
Trainer: Gerard Perron
Jockey: Roberto Morales

3rd
Double Star
Star Guitar–Bond Queen
Breeder: Thomas Edward Vinci & Bill Mayfield
Owner: Four Star Racing
Trainer: Robert D. Schultz
Jockey: Jose Andres Guerrero

Delta Downs capped off its 2017-18 Thoroughbred season on Saturday night with a 12-race program that included the $80,000 Pelican Stakes was won by Earl and Rose Hernandez’s Bitzy’s Afleet.

 Bitsy’s Afleet’s effort in the Pelican Stakes came with a masterful ride by jockey Marcelino Pedroza, who sat well off a rapid early pace set by Top Money and Grand Luwegee. That pair carved out fractional times of 23.20 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.82 for the half before clicking off three-quarters in 1:12.97. That set things up perfectly for Bitsy’s Afleet who took command at the top of the homestretch and drew clear for a decisive 2-1/2 length victory over Grand Luwegee with Double Star finishing another 3-3/4 lengths back in third. The final time for the Sam B. David, Jr. trainee in the 6 ½-furlong race was 1:19.69 over a fast track.

 The win marked Bitsy’s Afleet’s third in four lifetime starts. He earned $48,000 for the effort and now has a career bankroll of $110,400.

 Bitsy’s Afleet is a 3-year-old dark bay or brown gelding by Northern Afleet, out of the Ford Every Stream mare Streamin Bitsy. He was bred in Louisiana by his owners.

 Sent to the gate at odds of 4-5, Bitsy’s Afleet paid $3.80 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show. Grand Luwegee was worth $4.20 to place and $3.20 to show. Double Star paid $4 for the show.

 

Delta Downs will now be dark until its 2018 American Quarter Horse Season gets underway on April 20. The 46-day meeting will run through July 7 with live racing conducted each Wednesday through Saturday night at 6:15 pm.

 

For more information about racing at Delta Downs visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

 

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4.

 

LA MISTAKE FLAWLESS WHILE WINNING THE AZALEA STAKES

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LA MISTAKE - The Azalea - 10th Running - 03-09-18 - R07 - DED - Finish 2
La Mistake with Gerard Melancon aboard wins the 2018 Azalea Stakes at Delta Downs. Photo by Coady Photography

Azalea Stakes
Delta Downs, 3-9-18, 6 1/2 furlongs, $80,000
Accredited Louisiana Bred, 3-year-old fillies

LA MISTAKE
Bind – Guculka Ksenya
Breeder: Cantrell Family Partnership
Owner: Cantrell Family Partnership
Trainer: Brett A. Brinkman
Jockey: G. Melancon

2nd
Yes Gorgeous
Mass Media-Isn’t She Gorgeous
Breeder: J. Adcock & Montgomery Equine Center
Owner: Scott Gelner
Trainer: Scott Gelner
Jockey: D. Saenz

3rd
Fame Feather
Lion Tamer-Pretty Indian
Breeder: Ramona M. Pierce
Owner: Picard Thoroughbreds Racing Stable LLC
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: S. Doyle

 

Delta Downs kicked off its closing weekend of live Thoroughbred racing on Friday night with an 11-race program that included the $80,000 Azalea for 3-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies.

The Azalea was won impressively by Cantrell Family Partnership’s La Mistake with jockey Gerard Melancon in the saddle for his first of two stakes tallies on the night. The Brett Brinkman trainee pressed the early pace set by longshot Ms Sassy Butclassy as she carved out fractional times of 23.25 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.71 for the half in the 6 ½-furlong test for horses who had never won a stakes race.

As the field of 10 entered the second turn of the race, La Mistake took the lead and began to draw clear. In the home-stretch she held a comfortable lead over Yes Gorgeous, who was a game second but no threat to the winner. On the finish line, La Mistake was 3-3/4 lengths in front of Yes Gorgeous while Fame Feather was another 6-1/4 lengths behind in third. La Mistake covered the distance in 1:20.13 while running on a fast track.

The win by La Mistake was the third of her four-race career. She earned $48,000 for the effort and now owns a bankroll of $96,600.

Bred in Louisiana by her owner, La Mistake is a 3-year-old bay daughter of Bind, out of the Lion Heart mare Guculka Ksenya.

Sent to the gate at odds of 4-5, La Mistake paid $3.80 to win, $3 to place and $2.10 to show. Yes Gorgeous was worth $5 to place and $3 to show. Fame Feather returned $2.60 to show.

No Human or Equine Injuries in Small Oaklawn Fire

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Dorm room fire has displaced several residents.

No people or horses were injured March 6 after a small fire in a dorm room on the Oaklawn Park backstretch.

Track spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyt said the fire occurred at about 5:45 a.m. local time Tuesday in a dorm above the Swaps barn on the backstretch of the Hot Springs, Ark. track. She said firefighters quickly responded and put out the fire before it spread.

Hoyt said about a half-dozen residents were displaced by the dorm fire. She said Tuesday morning that track officials were assisting them in relocation efforts.

About 40 horses were moved from the barn during the fire. They were able to return to their stalls in the same barn by about 7 a.m.

“It was impressive to see our horsemen working together, helping one another,” Hoyt said. “They’ll compete on the track but when somebody’s in need, they all just jump in.”

Trainers Wanted for 2-Year-Olds in Training Survey

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Survey hopes to identify injury or illness rate among 2-year-olds in training.

 

When starting research on injury rates and types of injuries in young Thoroughbreds in training, University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Center scientist and veterinarian Dr. Allen Page discovered he had no current statistics for North America with which to make any comparisons.

Page is hoping to fill this gap with an ongoing appeal to Thoroughbred breaking and training centers in the U.S. and Canada to provide weekly injury and illness reports on 2-year-olds that have not been breezed yet.

“One of the things we noticed as we applied for funding was a lot of data from other countries on horses in training, but there is nothing contemporary for North America,” Page said. “We know training methods are different and surfaces are different, so it makes it difficult for us to try to extrapolate the work we are doing to North America.”

Working with Dr. Tim Parkin, a professor of veterinary epidemiology at the University of Glasgow who does statistical modeling for The Jockey Club’s Equine Injury Database, Page has developed a survey that should be easy for trainers to fill out on a mobile phone or tablet.

Trainers are being asked to answer a handful of questions each week about the horses in their care, including the number of training days missed and the reasons for the missed training—bucked shins, stress fractures, exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, respiratory illness, colic, or another non-exercise related injury (such as a laceration), or another malady. They are also asked to record for each horse the number of works or breezes, the distances for each, and the surface of the track or gallop.

“Trainers have a million things to do, we know, and this is now a million and one. So we’ve made the survey as easy to fill out as possible,” Page said. “That early speed training is such an important time for these horses. We know those early breezes set them up for success or potential failure down the road, because this is the time their skeletal systems are developing a response to the stress of training. We want to get a better grasp on that.”

Participate in the 2-year-olds in Training Injury and Illness Survey

With the year’s first 2-year-olds in training sale less than two weeks away, Page acknowledged the survey request is coming out late in the breaking and training cycle. He hopes, however, to collect some data this year while laying the foundation for more widespread participation starting next fall.

“We will also want to look at the sale horses separately, because that is always the question about horses who are being pushed earlier than those being prepped for the races,” Page said.

While several owners have responded to the survey request, Page said he only wants trainers participating because they are working hands-on with the horses every day. Also, Page stressed, the information provided is confidential.

“We rely on trainers providing us honest information, so when we publish results, we never publish names,” Page said. “If they are the only trainer in a particular small town, we only identify the state. If they are the only trainer in a state, then we don’t report that state. We don’t publish anything that can be tied to a specific trainer, owner, or horses.”

While some participants may be concerned, too, about what the results of such a survey might show, Page points to the progress made at North American racetracks because of the Equine Injury Database. The racetrack fatal injury rate has dropped four consecutive years and is down 23% since 2009, according to an analysis released in March 2017.

“This survey will help as we refine the testing we do in our lab but also give the rest of the industry a good idea of what the overall injury rate is and where there is room for improvement, if there is,” Page said. “So come one, come all.”

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