Abstract
BACKGROUND: Limited literature is available about the career outcomes of horses sustaining a long-term injury (LTI) in a jump race.
METHODS: All Thoroughbreds that sustained an LTI, defined as any non-fatal musculoskeletal injury requiring a minimum 90-day break from racing, in a British jump race between May 2018 and April 2023 were followed up for at least 24 months and outcomes described. Pre-injury racing performance was compared between horses that did and did not return to racing, and post-injury racing performance was compared between horses that sustained tendon/ligament injuries and fractures.
RESULTS: There were 793 LTIs recorded in 780 horses. Overall, 28.4% (n = 793, 95% confidence interval: 25.3%-31.7%) returned to racing and started a median of five races (interquartile range [IQR]: 3-7) within 12 months. Horses that returned to racing were younger (p < 0.001), earned more pre-injury (p < 0.01), had shorter careers (p < 0.04) and more wins (p < 0.03). Horses with tendon/ligament injuries were less likely to return to racing (18.9%, n = 107) and took longer to return (median 496 days, IQR: 304-670 days) than those with fractures (50.9%, n = 86, 275 days, IQR: 215-346 days).
LIMITATIONS: Injury classification commonly relied upn presumptive diagnoses.
CONCLUSIONS: Over 70% of racehorses failed to return to racing following LTI, highlighting the need to minimise injury risk.