“Puttin’ Eyes on a Horse”: Horsemanship Attunements and the Merry-go-round of Kentucky’s Thoroughbred Racing Industry

2021 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-254
Author(s):  
Carolyn Barnes
Keyword(s):  
Thoroughbred Racing

scholarly journals Interspecies Sustainability to Ensure Animal Protection: Lessons from the Thoroughbred Racing Industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 5539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bergmann
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Animal Protection ◽  
Sustainability Transition ◽  
Animal Advocacy ◽  
The Us ◽  
Original Contribution ◽  
Industry Sustainability ◽  
Thoroughbred Racing

There is a disconnect between dominant conceptions of sustainability and the protection of animals arising from the anthropocentric orientation of most conceptualisations of sustainability, including sustainable development. Critiques of this disconnect are primarily based in the context of industrial animal agriculture and a general model of a species-inclusive conception of sustainability has yet to emerge. The original contribution of this article is two-fold: First, it develops a theoretical framework for interspecies sustainability. Second, it applies this to a case study of the thoroughbred racing industry. Interviews were conducted with thoroughbred industry and animal advocacy informants in the US, Australia and Great Britain. While industry informants claim thoroughbred welfare is seminal for industry sustainability, they adopt a market-oriented anthropocentric conception of sustainability and do not consider animal welfare a sustainability domain in its own right. Animal advocacy informants demonstrate a deeper understanding of welfare but some express discomfort about linking sustainability, welfare and racing. Eight analytical layers have been identified in the discourse in the interface of sustainability and animal protection, of which two have transformational potential to advance interspecies sustainability. Interspecies sustainability urgently needs to be advanced to ensure animal protection in the sustainability transition, and to not leave the defining of animal welfare and sustainability to animal industries.

scholarly journals 378 Making-Do When Big Data Isn’t Big Enough: Limitations and pathways of possible development in the prediction of Thoroughbred racing performance as a breeding outcome

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 140-143
Author(s):  
Roger E Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Racing Performance ◽  
Expected Performance ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Thoroughbred Racing

Abstract A performance genetics model adapted to real-world data of Thoroughbred racing and breeding will be presented. The continuity of ancestry and performance is documented in the annals of pedigree, not as functional counterparts, but as corresponding signs of market value. Pedigree invites chronic misprision of highly diverse genetic resources competing for scarce opportunity in the racing economy, resulting in samples that are often small and of dubious composition. Data is specialized for competing “pedigree analysis” that packages the system of signification to meet market demand for meaning. Given statistical deficits, this data is a necessary inferential asset of the model. The model’s premise is that predictability is optimized if racing performance is defined as the function of an indivisible relation between parents. Statistical data consists of 6-generation ancestries of mares that produced offspring by a subject stallion. Comparison of proportions is used to identify effects resulting from his relation to individual ancestors of the subject mare. Expected performance by the sire’s offspring is defined as the proportion of mares that produced a superior runner by him. Each ancestor of a subject mare also has descendants among the mares that produced offspring by the stallion. For each of those groups, the proportion of mares that produced a superior runner is compared with the stallion’s expected performance using a t-test of statistical significance at the .10 level. Probable effect is further tested by case study involving such variables as racing class, generational distance, sex-linkage, inbreeding, and an ancestor’s pattern of effect across the stallion population. Stallions with the highest prevalence of positive effects are preferred for the subject mare. This model, under the trade name LyonScore®, has been used since 2012 by Werk Thoroughbred Constultants, Inc. as a component of its client services. Table 1: The data, listed in tabular format below, is graphically displayed for actual use on an ancestry tree whose nodes are numbered by relation to a subject mare (“Position”). Each statistical data item in the table is derived from the stud record of a stallion named Distorted Humor and corresponds with an ancestor of a mare named Positively Royal. Each ancestor of this mare is also an ancestor of a group of mares that produced offspring of Distorted Humor and were at least three years of age as of 2019. A proportion of each of those groups of mares produced at least one superior runner. Proportions that differ significantly from Distorted Humor’s expected proportion are so indicated. Only ancestors involving a group of at least 18 mares are considered to have inferential value on statistical grounds. Table 2: The sire Danzig is an ancestor of Positively Royal, along with 75 mares that produced foals by Distorted Humor, only five of which produced a superior runner by him, significantly fewer than expected. However, since Distorted Humor’s dam is by Danzig, the question of generational distance is relevant as a variable to the effect of inbreeding. The table below shows Danzig’s proportional distribution by genetic relation to those 75 mares as indicated by “Position.” Of the 64 mares in descent of Danzig within three generations, three mares produced a superior runner. It’s notable, though, that 2 of 6 mares with the same relation to Danzig as Positively Royal produced superior runners. Since Danzig is the only ancestor with a negative effect, further consideration is warranted. Table 3: In a population that tends to slough off unprofitable genetic resources, overspecialization is the main risk of close inbreeding. Some generational variations of an ancestor’s contribution can turn inbreeding to less specialized effect, but this depends on generational distance. Distorted Humor’s earliest opportunity with mares in descent of Danzig involved offspring closely inbred to Danzig, but later in his career he encountered mares for which variation was more likely. As the table shows, two of six mares descending from Danzig in position 25 (4th generation) produced Distorted Humor’s best runners inbred to Danzig, so it is of some interest that Positively Royal, the subject mare, is also a postion-25 descendant of Danzig. However, that those two mares happen to be full sisters whose breeding has little else in common with that of Positively Royal leaves the question of Distorted Humor’s fitness for this mare less certain than would be preferred.

scholarly journals Preliminary Examination of the Biological and Industry Constraints on the Structure and Pattern of Thoroughbred Racing in New Zealand over Thirteen Seasons: 2005/06–2017/18

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2807
Author(s):  
Kylie A. Legg ◽  
Erica K. Gee ◽  
Darryl J. Cochrane ◽  
Chris W. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Economic Performance ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Intervention Strategies ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Preliminary Examination ◽  
Thoroughbred Racing ◽  
Key Industry

This study aimed to examine thirteen seasons of flat racing starts (n = 388,964) in the context of an ecological system and identify metrics that describe the inherent characteristics and constraints of the New Zealand Thoroughbred racing industry. During the thirteen years examined, there was a 2–3% per year reduction in the number of races, starts and number of horses. There was a significant shift in the racing population with a greater number of fillies (aged 2–4 years) having a race start, and subsequent longer racing careers due to the inclusion of one more racing preparation post 2008 (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was an increasingly ageing population of racehorses. These changes resulted in more race starts in a career, but possibly because of biological constraints, there was no change in the number of race starts per season, starts per preparation, or days spelling between preparations (p < 0.05). There was no change in the proportion of horses having just one race start (14% of new entrants), indicating that the screening for suitability for a racing career remained consistent. These data identify key industry parameters which provide a basis for future modelling of intervention strategies to improve economic performance and reduce horse injury. Consideration of the racing industry as a bio-economic or ecological model provides framework to test how the industry may respond to intervention strategies and signal where changes in system dynamics may alter existing risk factors for injury.

The movement pattern of horses around race meetings in New Zealand

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 1075 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Rosanowski ◽  
C. W. Rogers ◽  
C. F. Bolwell ◽  
N. Cogger
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Movement Pattern ◽  
Infectious Disease Control ◽  
Harness Racing ◽  
Time Required ◽  
And Control ◽  
Thoroughbred Racing ◽  
Selection Of

In order to describe the implications of racehorse movement on the potential spread and control of infectious disease in New Zealand, the movement of horses due to regular racing activities needed to be quantified. Race meeting, trainer and starter data were collected in 2009 from the governing bodies for the two racing codes in New Zealand; Harness Racing New Zealand and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. During 2009, 507 Thoroughbred and 506 Standardbred race meetings were held. A random selection of 42 Standardbred and 39 Thoroughbred race meetings were taken from all race meetings held in 2009 and the distances travelled by trainers to these race meetings were determined. The trainers attending selected race meetings represented 50% (1135/2287) of all registered trainers in 2009. There was no seasonal pattern of when race meetings were held between racing codes (P = 0.18) or by race type (P = 0.83). There were significant differences in the distance travelled by trainers to race meetings, by racing code (P < 0.001). Thoroughbred trainers travelled a median of 91 km (IQR 40–203 km), while Standardbred trainers travelled a median of 45 km (IQR 24–113 km) (P < 0.001). Within each racing code, trainers travelled further to attend premier races than other types of race meetings (P < 0.001). These data demonstrate there is higher potential for more widespread disease dissemination from premier race meetings compared with other types of race meetings. Additionally, lack of a seasonal pattern indicates that a widespread outbreak could occur at any time of the year. Widespread disease dissemination would increase the logistic effort required for effective infectious disease control and has the potential to increase the time required to achieve control.

Heritability of racing performance in the Australian Thoroughbred racing population

2014 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. D. Velie ◽  
N. A. Hamilton ◽  
C. M. Wade
Keyword(s):  
Racing Performance ◽  
Thoroughbred Racing

Legalized Gambling and Crime in Canada

2004 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 747-753 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Stephen Bridges ◽  
C. Bennett Williamson
Keyword(s):  
Type I Error ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Slot Machines ◽  
Type I ◽  
Social Variables ◽  
Motor Vehicle Theft ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Electronic Gambling ◽  
Thoroughbred Racing ◽  
Gambling Activities

In the 10 provinces and 2 territories of Canada in 2000, but not in 1990, the total number of types of gambling activities was positively associated with rates of robbery ( p < .05). Controls for other social variables did not eliminate these associations. With so many correlations in the present study the likelihood of a Type I error was quite large. Alpha was adjusted to control that likelihood. Statistical analysis now required even stronger evidence before concluding that there were significant relationships between crime and gambling variables or among gambling variables. In the 10 provinces of Canada in 1999/2000, the total numbers of electronic gambling machines for each province was associated with rates of theft over $5000 ( p < .01). In 1990 there were positive associations found for burglary with off-track betting and race/sportsbooks; motor vehicle theft with off-track betting, and race/sportsbooks; rate of theft with casinos; quarter horse racing with thoroughbred racing. In 2000 there were positive associations for robbery with casinos and slot machines; casinos with slot machines; scratch tickets with raffles, break-open tickets, sports tickets, and charitable bingo; raffles with break-open tickets, sports tickets, and charitable bingo; break-open tickets with sports tickets; charitable bingo with break-open tickets and sports tickets.

An assessment of wastage in Thoroughbred racing from conception to 4 years of age

1982 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. B. JEFFCOTT ◽  
P. D. ROSSDALE ◽  
J. FREESTONE ◽  
C.J. FRANK ◽  
P. F. TOWERS-CLARK
Keyword(s):  
Thoroughbred Racing

Fashion, fantasy and fallen horses: alternate images of thoroughbred racing

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Winter ◽  
Ward Young
Keyword(s):  
Thoroughbred Racing
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