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Jumpers at more risk as they get older, says report

BLOODSTOCK WORLD

Published: 14/11/2008 (Sport) By Rachel Pagones

RESEARCHERS compiling a database of factors pertaining to racecourse injuries have found significant variations between injuries sustained on turf and all weather surfaces in Flat racing, as well as an increased risk of injury for jumpers carrying more than 12st.

However, they have turned up no evidence that birth date has any effect on the risk of injury in two-year-old runners.

These were some of the preliminary conclusions described by Anthony Stirk, senior veterinary advisor to the BHA, while speaking at the Thoroughbred Racing & Breeding Seminar at Cheltenham racecourse yesterday.

Stirk said the information - which included all fatal and nonfatal injuries on every British racecourse from the year 2000 - had yet to be evaluated statistically, so the conclusions remain tentative.

More complex analysis looking at combinations of factors - age combined with race distance, for instance - has yet to be performed.

However, Tim Parkin, an equine epidemiologist formerly with the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket and now at Glasgow University, has submitted an application for a Levy Board grant to analyse the database using statistics, said Stirk, so he was hopeful it would have more practical use in the near future.

The researchers classified two types of injuries - fatal and longterm. The data they gathered showed that bone injuries were by far the most common type of injury in Flat turf racing, particularly when it came to fatal injuries.

Bone injuries were also most commonly involved in fatal breakdowns on all-weather tracks, the data showed.

However, in all-weather racing, in contrast to turf racing, there was quite a noticeable difference, said Stirk.

"Tendon and ligament injuries are the most common type of long-term injury. It's possible all weather surfaces are more fatiguing than turf."

Similarly, more long-term injuries occurred on softer going than on good ground. Yet type of ground did not have any effect on the rate of fatal injuries in Flat turf racing.

Turning to jumps racing, Stirk said carrying bigger weights did not appear to increase the rate of injury for horses carrying less than 12st.

However, when weights go up over 12st, "suddenly there is an increase in injury. I think we should bear this in mind when looking at reducing injuries," he said.

Age is a risk factor in National Hunt horses "in pretty straight gradation as they get older", but on the Flat, there is little variation in injury rates according to age until the age of 11 or 12 - when few of them are still racing.

In terms of youth, however, when the researchers looked at foaling month as a possible factor in two-year-old injuries "there was no correlation," said Stirk.

Other significant risk factors include types of fences in jump races.

While 37 per cent of fatalities in hurdle races were associated with falls at fences, the rate increased to 56 per cent in chases.

The researchers also looked at various types of chase obstacles, and found a lower risk of falling at water jumps, which, however, make up only four per cent of obstacles in jumps racing in this country.

Stirk is now touring all of Britain's racecourses with jumping tracks to examine in detail the type and layout of obstacles in order to better understand how and why horses fall.

The annual seminar is run in association with Cheltenham racecourse, Dodson & Horrel Ltd, Intervet Schering-Plough Animal Health and the Levy Board.

my goodness he can talk to save the world. He is knowledgeable without

being pompous and would do very well fronting cameras. Believe he's staying

on with Nicky in an advisory capacity - a good team. Good luck Mick.

Too late for this request but did you know that you can view replays of races via the Racing Post site. The cost is 20p for a full race or 10p for the closing stages/finish. Once you have purchased it you can view it three times within 24 hours. You can add monies to your Racing Post wallet and then 20p is deducted each time you "buy" a race to view. I haven't done this but my partner does regularly, he's a real fan of the service. The service seems to cover the last seven days racing. Scroll down the RP home page to the video link on the left towards the bottom of the screen.

Lucinda

Many Thanks Steven rice

I too wish I had had a bet on Mister McGoldrick, he's been a real favourite of mine for some years now and I often have a flutter on him when I see him running. Not yesterday though, doh!

Was pleasantly surprised to see no new posts on the message board, so I got comfy and settled down to what I can only describe as a cracking day's racing.

I never bet, but have a "virtual tenner" on my races, and oh did I wish I'd been to the real bookies on Mr Mcgoldrick? I love that old boy, and what a performance he put up at 66-1.

Inglis Drever was pure unadulterated class, another real tenner I wish I'd had, although it didn't look too safe til a few from home! His lass was fantastic too, very entertaining and genuinely loves the horse. A Cheltenham record set too with his 3 wins.

What about Master Minded? Clive Smith must be buzzing after that tin of "whupass" his horse unleashed on the others, they looked like pit ponies in comparison. Another Kauto in the making?

More importantly, there were only a handful of fallers (on C4 anyway) and all got up even, apparently, Don't push it , who took a nasty looking fall at "that" fence, but according to RP survived.

I hope this great racing carries on tomorrow, and that they continue to come home safe. It would be so nice after all the worry of the usual carnage.

My main problem is that I'm at the in laws til Sat aft so have to try and not find out who wins the Gold Cup til I get chance to watch it...

That is exactly the information I was looking for.

Davy

I think the final declarations are on 10am 48 hours before each race, ie 10am this Sunday for Tuesday's races.

www.-the-racehorse.com has a good Cheltenham countdown page, you click on the race and scroll down and it shows you the forfeit and declaration dates as well as the runners.

The link is:

http://www.the-racehorse.com/racing/features/cheltenham_countdown_for_3_march_2008

I have posted into the url box - hope it works!

Lucinda

Wondered if those of you going to Cheltenham next week have a favourite hanging out place at the course?

I spend most of my time on the rails between the pre-parade and main parade ring (alongside the weighing room). Here you get a great close-up view of each horse making its way to the parade ring, and sometimes get to overhear snippets of conversation between the connections.

After each runner has passed I walk the short distance to the "chute", for close up view of the runners and riders on their way from paddock to post - a real taste of the atmosphere, anticipation and and excitement!

This is a good place post-race as well, as you can see the winners and placed horses on their way to the winners enclosure, and count back in the others as they return to the unsaddling enclosure. It can be good place to find out the fate of any fallers as there are lots of connections and other people who care around here, and there are vets in the unsaddling enclosure.

Sometimes I put a bet on and watch the race too! More often than not though, during the race I will be having a look at the runners for the next race in the pre-parade ring.

Have a good Festival, and fingers crossed that all participants come back safe and sound.

A bit off topic but when do the final declarations come out for the festival?

Nice that they are in sinilar company aswell, instead of chasing the young bucks!

Was worried watching them go round no fallers a few pulled upand .

being an old softie was hoping for three greys to be in the winners enclosure.

been retired. So pleased his connections are that generous - wish all owners and trainers

were the same and didn't insist on their boys or girls carrying on when they've plainly

had enough.

no pictures in RP yet unless I missed an edition.

John in the message board thread asked the original question - I say here that I do agree with him, if the water jumps cannot be modified to create a much safer obstacle they should be removed.

etc so he's obviously on-line - but a web site? Answers gratefully received

Does anyone know if Ouija Board has had her foal yet ?

if so what has she had,does he or she look like its mum.

( as I believe she must be due real soon.)

xx

I am with you Elaine regarding Bob Bob Bobbin (great name) If only the winning post was a few furlongs nearer!!

2 1209/1F Tramantano 7 8 11-7 N A Twiston-Davies P J Brennan

Why are owners/trainers/jockeys moaning about prize money on offer when the turn out is so poor, no disrespect to the to runners they do have ability but why such a small field?

Even more happier he won.

Glad everyone came back safe. Would also like to say love Bob bob bobbin too, really did nt care that he did nt win, just love watching them all race, coming home safe xxxxx

I'd love to see him have the big day he deserves in one of the marathon chases this season. Equally, I wouldn't begrudge connections if they retired him on a high.

Wasn't Kerry Lads great today?

I've got a special place in my heart for the real battlers...especially if they're veterans!