Thoroughbred fatality and associated jockey falls and injuries in races in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia: 2009-2014.
Authors: Wylie C E, McManus P, McDonald C, Jorgensen S, McGreevy P
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary Between 2009 and 2014, researchers analysed all reported fatalities among Thoroughbreds racing on flat tracks in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, using Racing NSW administrative data and Poisson regression to calculate fatality incidence and risk factors. Over the six-year period, 167 horses died across approximately 282,000 race starts, yielding an overall fatality rate of 0.59 per 1000 starts, though post-mortem examinations were completed on only 31.5% of cases, limiting definitive diagnostic confirmation. Musculoskeletal injury dominated the fatality profile, accounting for 86.2% of deaths—predominantly fractures (57.5%), with the fetlock and proximal sesamoid bones representing the most vulnerable anatomical sites at 37.5% of all fractures; spontaneous deaths proved rare at only 13.3% of cases. Associated jockey falls occurred in 50 fatality cases (0.18 per 1000 starts), resulting in 32 reported injuries with upper limb trauma predominating, highlighting that racehorse fatalities create significant secondary injury risk for riders. These data align with international benchmarks and underscore the critical need for multi-disciplinary intervention strategies targeting musculoskeletal injury prevention, improved diagnostic protocols (particularly post-mortem examination), and enhanced safety protocols to protect both horses and jockeys.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Fetlock and sesamoid bone injuries are the leading cause of racehorse fatalities; farriers should focus on optimal hoof balance and shoeing to minimize stress on these high-risk structures
- •Post-mortem examination rates are critically low (31.5%), limiting the ability to identify preventable causes; advocate for increased necropsy protocols to improve safety interventions
- •Jockey injuries are a secondary but significant consequence of horse fatalities; track safety and fall prevention strategies may reduce both equine and human injury
Key Findings
- •Overall incidence of racehorse fatality was 0.59 deaths per 1000 starts across 167 fatalities over 5 racing seasons in NSW and ACT
- •Musculoskeletal injury accounted for 86.2% of fatalities (144/167), with fractures comprising 57.5% (96/167), most commonly at the fetlock or proximal sesamoid bones (37.5% of fractures)
- •Only 31.5% of fatalities underwent post-mortem examination, limiting definitive diagnosis of causes
- •Racehorse fatalities were associated with 50 jockey falls (0.18/1000 starts) and 32 reported jockey injuries (0.12/1000 starts), with 53.1% of injuries affecting the limbs