Who is Controlling Racing's TV signals?

For all the differences between the horseracing and betting landscapes in Britain and North America - size, history, administration and race and bet types, - one similarity of principle has emerged over the last five years. The live televised racing scene has crystallised into two entities, and the impact on both the foundation and prosperity of the sport and the availability of its betting facilities has been thrown into the blender.

In Britain, the 60 racecourses have lined up equally between the two cable and satellite broadcasters - Racing UK (RUK), with 30 tracks on board, and At The Races (ATR), with 29, but soon to become 30 when the new venue of Great Leighs attains its long-awaited completion. In North America, the dominance and extensive exclusivity of TVG has been challenged by the major corporate racetrack owners Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC) and Churchill Downs Inc., which have jointly formed the cable and satellite broadcaster Horseracing TV (HRTV), shutting out TVG from coverage of their many high-quality courses.

Into the mix have been catapulted bookmaking, advance deposit wagering and online betting facilities, the biggest attraction for the public and the most significant cash provider for racing outside the deep pockets of racehorse owners. What will come out at the other end, and when, is impossible to say with any certainty. Interested parties have their own views, based on which side of the divide they sit, but it would take someone akin to a soothsayer, let alone an experienced industry observer, to imagine where the path will lead. The road-makers are still at work, using different maps to plot their separate ways, and sometimes giving the impression they are making up the journey as they go along.

Two examples of intricacies that can only ripen confusion and spread uncertainty are worth recording, before attempting to untangle the web spun by rights-holders seeking to manage content to best advantage. Ascot, Britain’s best-known international venue, lined up with At The Races when the second coming of that daily satellite broadcaster emerged from the ashes of a failed venture known as Attheraces in June 2004. At the time, as Ascot negotiated with its bankers over loans to service a £200 million redevelopment scheme, huge uncertainty surrounded previous rights, which may have meant Ascot having to repay a significant sum. Partly to allay the fears of financial institutions, Ascot fell in with ATR, and was given a five per cent stake in the company for its allegiance.

However, the contract, which runs until 2012, did not include pictures supplied to betting shops, and when these came up for renegotiation earlier this year, Ascot decided to jump on to the back of another media rights horse. It sided with Amalgamated Racing - Amrac for short - which had set up a joint venture with the stock market-quoted betting-shop services provider Alphameric to introduce a new channel, Turf TV, offering pictures from aligned courses to off-track bookmakers. Until then, for 20 years the betting industry had had only one company to deal with, Satellite Information Services (SIS), which took pictures from Racing UK courses under contract, and by sub-contract from At The Races’ courses through an organisation called Bookmaker Afternoon Greyhound Service (Bags). Bags has outgrown its title by owning horseracing rights and covering evening racing, while ATR controls no betting-shop picture rights in Britain, but it does use SIS to produce its programmes on a daily basis, and has a contract with it to distribute pictures into betting shops in overseas territories such as Sri Lanka.

Confused? You soon will be… Explaining the decision to go with Amrac, Ascot’s finance director Janet Walker says: “We believe Amrac is the best vehicle for racing’s commercial relationship with the betting industry. And the decision has no impact on our separate satellite media rights arrangement with ATR, and should in no way be interpreted as a negative reflection on our relationship with that company.”

In North America, the picture began to get decidedly murkier in March this year, when Churchill Downs bought a 50 per cent stake in HorseRacing TV, which had previously been owned wholly by Magna. It was the biggest in a series of deals that the two sides concluded at the time, and out of the arrangement came the formation of another joint venture called TrackNet Media Group, through which one partner’s horseracing content would become available to the other’s various distribution platforms - Magna’s advance deposit wagering (ADW) site XpressBet, Churchill’s similar newcomer TwinSpires.com. TrackNet would also deal with providing content, from pictures to betting availability, for third parties, it emerged. These were to include racetracks, OTBs, casinos and other ADW operators - but not TVG, it seemed; well, not without a groundbreaking change of heart. HRTV immediately took over coverage of Churchill Downs, and as contracts run their course, it picked up exclusive rights to Arlington Park on August 6, Fair Grounds in November and Calder on January 3, 2008. It was not long before the consequences became clear. The 2007 Kentucky Derby was shown exclusively on HRTV and bet on through TwinSpires and winticket.com (whom Churchill Downs subsequently purchased). TVG and its wagering partner Youbet did not get a look-in. The same applied to the second races in the US Triple Crown, the Preakness, run at Magna-owned Pimlico, but come the last leg, the Belmont, exclusivity returned to TVG, under its contract with the New York courses. Just before the Kentucky Derby, a contributor to the Turf’n’Sport website was moved to remark: “At the best possible time of the year for generating positive horseracing buzz, the industry has succeeded in turning on itself and creating negative headlines.

At a time when online racebooks that offer betting on all major Thoroughbred tracks continue to make inroads, and at a time when the World Trade Organisation has ruled America must open up horse betting to offshore racebooks, the existing companies are bitching at each other.” The punchline summed up: “How long will it take horseplayers to catch on and simply move their accounts offshore?” He clearly is not the soothsayer identified earlier, who might supply the answer to what will come out of the mix. But he does have a point.

A similar observation holds good in Britain, though with a different emphasis. At times the two sets of particular circumstances in Britain and North America do run along parallel lines, but at others they are subtly interlinked and completely separate. The differences, and some of the connections, can be seen in the betting arena, where HRTV and TVG have their own direct outlets, but Racing UK has a joint venture and At The Races remains corporately aloof while relying on bookmaker partners to provide one of 30 income streams. The key in Britain is Turf TV, the betting-shop channel set up in part by the Racing UK courses, which flickered into life with six exclusive members (including Ascot) and a small percentage of betting-shop supporters, mainly small independents until the Tote joined up, but none of the four majors, which account for 80 per cent of the UK estate.

On January 1, Turf TV will be bolstered by 25 other RUK courses. The split will be equal - just as it is in the choice facing satellite viewers, who need two TV accounts to cover the field - and the dominant bookmakers, who have lined up solidly behind SIS and the status quo, will have to decide whether they can survive on half rations for their horseracing coverage. On that decision could depend a large slice of British racing’s future prosperity. The situation in North America depends on whether racecourse and betting operators choose TrackNet or TVG. It seems they cannot have both. In each case, the participants have made their positions clear.

Robert Evans, president and CEO of Churchill Downs, told a shareholders’ meeting: “I understand our objectives on occasion may ruffle a few feathers. That is one of the things about competition. It is not really our intent just to go out and be disruptive. Our intent is to compete aggressively and to attract more customers to our business. There are always a few potential consequences when you challenge the status quo.” In response to the Kentucky Derby impasse, TVG general manager David Nathanson said: “We attempted to negotiate with TrackNet Media and its owners in good faith, but thus far have not seen any terms from them indicating a strong desire to reach a mutually beneficial long-term agreement. We remain open to negotiating an agreement that is in the best interest of the racing industry, the respective parties and, ultimately, the racing fan.”

In Britain, Turf TV has become the dividing line between broadcasters and rights-holders Racing UK and At The Races. RUK executive chairman Simon Bazalgette reflects: “Historically British racing has not been good at being commercial about negotiating its media rights, and has allowed third parties, such as BSkyB (the satellite provider) and the bookmakers, to get a lot of the economic benefit. Now racecourses can manage the business themselves, keeping more of the commercial benefit in racing and having greater control over the presentation of the sport. Turf TV is a great deal for the racecourses.” ATR chief executive Matthew Imi takes a dispassionate view of Turf TV, since betting-shop rights do not figure in his company’s portfolio. “It will be interesting to see how it works out, but we’re not threatened by Turf TV,” he says. “The most fascinating aspect is not whether Turf TV gains any material traction among the big bookmakers, but what the net effect will be on British racing. For us, though, it’s a valuable opportunity to concentrate on our core business, which is to exploit our partners’ rights. Getting together in the UK with Racing UK is not on our radar.” It might not be war, but for the moment, and maybe for the foreseeable future, it clearly is every man for himself.

HOW THE TELEVISION BROADCASTERS LINE UP NORTH AMERICA HORSERACING TV (HRTV)

Owned by: Joint venture of Nasdaq-listed Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC) and Churchill Downs Inc. Operates: Subscription national cable and satellite TV horseracing network. Live racing content is acquired by sister company TrackNet Media Group. Estimated coverage 11 million homes. Racetracks covered: 70-plus Thoroughbred, harness and Quarter Horse tracks, including Santa Anita Park (California); Churchill Downs (Kentucky); Gulfstream Park, *Calder (Florida); Lone Star Park (Texas); Arlington Park (Illinois); Pimlico (Maryland). International: UK tracks on Racing UK. MEC operates off-track betting network, and national account wagering business XpressBet. Churchill Downs recently opened online national account wagering service, TwinSpires, and more recently acquired account wagering operator AmericaTAB and affiliates. Overseas coverage: Racing World channel in Britain, joint venture with Racing UK. *effective January 3, 2008 TVG Owned by: Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc., global multi-media and technology company, including loss-making TV Guide magazine, in which Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation has 41 per cent stake. Operates: Subscription national cable and satellite TV horseracing channel, and online betting network. Estimated coverage 50 million homes. Racetracks covered: Turf Paradise (Arizona); Del Mar, Fairplex Park, Hollywood Park, Los Alamitos, Oak Tree (California); **Calder (Florida); Prairie Meadows (Iowa); Ellis Park, Keeneland, Kentucky Downs, Turfway Park (Kentucky); Meadowlands, Monmouth Park (New Jersey); Ruidoso Downs, Zia Park (New Mexico); Aqueduct, Belmont Park, Saratoga, Yonkers Raceway (New York); Emerald Downs (Washington). International: Japan, UK tracks on At The Races. Some contracts with tracks owned by HRTV partners due to expire over next year. Has arrangement with online account wagering operators Youbet and The Racing Channel. Overseas coverage: At The Races in Britain, through arrangement with TRNi and the Dubai Sports Channel in the UAE. **through January 2, 2008 BRITAIN RACING UK (RUK) Owned by: 30 British racecourses, split Jockey Club Racecourses (50%), Chester, Goodwood, Newbury, York (sharing 25%), 11 smaller courses (sharing 25%). Owns all rights, including terrestrial TV, except for licensed betting offices (belong to Amrac, see below and facing). Operates: Subscription national cable and satellite (via BSkyB service, part of Setanta Sports package) TV horseracing channel, with links to small number of bookmaker partners; international channel, Racing World, in partnership with MEC and Churchill Downs; licensed betting-office channel, Turf TV, set up by Amalgamated Racing (Amrac), joint venture between Racecourse Media Services (separate company owned by RUK courses and Ascot) and betting-office provider Alphameric; overseas delivery of pictures and data from RUK courses in association with South Africa-based racetrack and betting operator Phumelela. About 200,000 subscribers (including Setanta, forecast to grow to 1 million when Premiership football comes on stream in Autumn 2007). Racetracks covered: Aintree, Ayr, Bangor, Beverley, Carlisle, Cartmel, Catterick, Cheltenham, Chester, Epsom, Goodwood, Hamilton, Haydock, Huntingdon, Kempton, Ludlow, Market Rasen, Musselburgh, Newbury, Newmarket, Nottingham, Pontefract, Redcar, Salisbury, Sandown, Thirsk, Warwick, Wetherby, Wincanton, York. International: France, Dubai, occasional other major races; HRTV (see above) coverage of North America on separate channel, Racing World. Overseas coverage: North America, joint venture with HRTV; Australia, jointly with At The Races; other territories, partnership with Phumelela (South Africa). AT THE RACES (ATR) Owned by: broadcaster British Sky Broadcasting (46%), racetrack owners Arena Leisure (46%) and Northern Racing (2%), and racecourses Ascot (5%), Newton Abbot, Plumpton and Ripon. Owns all media rights of participating courses except licensed betting office and terrestrial TV rights. Operates: National cable and satellite (part of Sky Sports package) TV horseracing channel, with links to bookmaker partners. ATR courses shown in betting shops through agreement with Satellite Information Services (SIS), which sub-contracts rights from Bookmaker Afternoon Greyhound Service (Bags). BSkyB subscription platform covers 8.5 million homes in UK. Racetracks covered: Ascot, Bath, Brighton, Chepstow, Doncaster, Exeter, Fakenham, Folkestone, Fontwell, Hereford, Hexham, Kelso, Leicester, Lingfield, Newcastle, Newton Abbot, Perth, Plumpton, Ripon, Sedgefield, Southwell, Stratford, Taunton, Towcester, Uttoxeter, Windsor, Wolverhampton, Worcester, Yarmouth. (Great Leighs will become 30th on opening). Plus all 27 Irish courses. International: France, Dubai, Germany, occasional other major races; TVG (see facing) coverage of North America. Overseas coverage: North America, arrangement with TRNi, through to TVG; Australia, jointly with RUK; other territories, distribution by SIS.

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome

Vets and other professionals recognise that gastrointestinal function and health in horses exists in a finely balanced state. Most conditions relating to the intestinal tract, for example colic and diarrhoea are well understood and are most commonly treated either medically or surgically. There has been, however, less appreciation of how frequently the health of a horse’s stomach can be compromised. The true prevalence of equine stomach lesions (gastric ulcers) was recognised only with the introduction of gastric endoscopy. How prevalent are ulcers? Numerous studies conducted in the 1980s and ‘90s in varied horse populations within differing sporting disciplines identified EGUS as a much more a widespread problem than commonly assumed. Many of these studies focussed on thoroughbred racehorses, and produced remarkably similar findings.

Between 80 and 90% of horses in training were found to have gastric ulcers. And, somewhat surprisingly, over 50% of racehorses temporarily out of training also had lesions. Moreover, this health and welfare issue was not confined to thoroughbred racing; horses competing in other equestrian sporting disciplines were also prone to this condition. In contrast, less than 5% of permanently grazed horses appear to suffer from gastric ulceration. Prevalence of EGUS in horses engaged in different equestrian sporting disciplines Population Prevalence (%) Racing (thoroughbreds) 80 - 90 Trotting/pacing (standardbreds) 72 - 88 Endurance racing 67 Show horses 58 Foals (thoroughbred) > 50 Symptoms to look for that may suggest gastric ulceration include chronic recurrent colic, episodic colic, acute colic, reduced appetite, poor body condition and chronic diarrhoea. Whilst these clinical signs are not always indicative of gastric ulcers, as can be seen from the table below there is a clear relationship.

The strongest indicator appears to be an inability to thrive as indicated by poor body condition and reduced appetite. Incidence of overt clinical signs in horses subsequently found to have EGUS Clinical signs Incidence (%) Chronic recurrent colic, for 7 days or more 25 Episodic colic (1+) for 7 or more days 13 Acute colic 10 Reduced appetite 53 Poor body condition 40 Diarrhoea 9 Unfortunately, however, in about 52% of horses where gastroscopy reveals ulceration there will have been no obvious prior clinical signs.

What causes gastric ulcers? Gastric lesions (ulcers) are now recognised as a common condition in stabled horses, whether involved in racing or other equine sports, and in foals, yet they appear to be absent in wild horses. You may be familiar with the fact that gastric ulcers in humans are frequently caused by infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, it was not surprising therefore that this was investigated but then dismissed as a possible cause in horses. So, what is the cause and why is the prevalence in racehorses so high? To answer this question we need to examine the manner in which we train, house and feed our racehorses. All the clinical evidence to date indicates that the high incidence of gastric ulcers in racehorses is a ‘man-made’ phenomenon that is related to the feeding and management practices that we employ during training.

There are four key contributory factors involved in the development and progression of ulcers:

1) Dietary makeup and feeding practices

2) Intensity of exercise (level of work)

3) Stress factors

4) Prolonged use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, such as phenylbutazone, and corticosteroids. When considering these factors we need to appreciate that the horse has evolved over millennia as an exclusively grazing animal with a digestive system that is reliant on the continual ingestion of fresh forage to meet its dietary requirements. In EGUS the damage caused to the lining of the stomach arises from prolonged exposure of the gastric mucosa to gastric acid, without sufficient protection from the buffering effect of saliva.

Dietary makeup and feeding practices Racehorses are most often fed a diet that is high in starch rich cereal and low in forage. Horses produce gastric acid continuously, and high starch diets tend to further increase its production through stimulation of a hormone known as gastrin. In addition, where these starch-rich meals are large, inadequate mixing in the stomach can lead to some of the starch being fermented here, which further contributes to the overall acidity. During feeding, chewing normally stimulates the production of saliva, which contains a natural buffer ‘bicarbonate’, to offer some protection of the gastric mucosa against the corrosive effects of gastric acid. However, the amount of saliva produced for each kilogram of concentrate feed consumed is about 2.5 times less than that produced for the same weight of forage, as proportionally less chewing is involved. Minimal forage intake therefore takes its toll on gastric health, as during periods when the horse has no access to feed or forage, the protective effects of saliva are lost and these are key danger times for gastric ulceration.

A recent study published in the Equine Veterinary Journal also suggests that repeated electrolyte or salt administration may exacerbate or even induce gastric ulceration. But before we all cast aside our daily electrolyte or salt administration, which has great physiological benefit, we need to take these recent findings in context. This latest study used an endurance model of electrolyte administration using a concentrated electrolyte syringe 8 times within an 8-hour period. Whilst this may be common practice during endurance races, this type of administration in racing is in my experience not practised. It is, however, a difficult conundrum for endurance trainers as electrolyte depletion during races is a significant issue.

Certainly electrolyte or salt products that dissolve more slowly in the stomach may be an advantage. Exercise intensity The level of work that horses undertake has also been found to be a significant contributory factor in the development of EGUS. Although ulcers are present in about 40% of horses undertaking light exercise this increases to over 95% in horses with busy racing schedules. This effect probably arises through the physical movement of the organs and tissues within the horse’s body that occurs during exercise. Mechanical movement and compression of the stomach forces the most sensitive non glandular regions of its lining into further contact with gastric acid, and this effect is exacerbated when exercise intensity is increased.

Stress Although training and racing by necessity place horses under physiological stress, psychological stress is also implicated in ulcer development. Recent studies in the USA indicate that sudden stressful changes from the normal daily routine and environment, including transport and new stabling, promote rapid changes to the integrity of the stomach lining. Indeed, gastroscopy showed the appearance of ulcers within only 6 days. Medical treatment of gastric ulcers Gastric ulcers in horses rarely heal spontaneously, so veterinary intervention is necessary. Methods for the treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers in horses follow those employed in human medicine and generally involve the use of antacids alone, or in conjunction with anti-ulcer drugs.

Antacids neutralise gastric acid. Those based on sodium and calcium carbonates and bicarbonates have the potential drawback of releasing carbon dioxide (gas) in the gut. In addition, bicarbonate supplementation can increase blood bicarbonate levels that could potentially result in a breach of doping rules. Antacids containing aluminium or magnesium hydroxides and silicates may be preferential.

Drugs used to inhibit gastric ulcers include, the H2-receptor blockers cimetidine and ranitidine and the so-called ‘proton-pump inhibitor’ omeprazole. Omeprazole is the most widely used and effective treatment in horses and is marketed as an oral paste under the trade name Gastroguard. Dietary supplement products available for gastric health Product Company Active ingredients Function Product Form Dose (500kg horse) Neigh-Lox Saracen (KER) Dihydroxy-aluminium, sodium carbonate, calcium carbonate, aluminium phosphate Antacid Coats & protects Pellet 340g Settlelex Feedmark Calcium carbonate, aluminium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, dicalcium phospahte Antacid Powder 30-100g Acti-Soothe Nelson Veterinary Ltd high fibre ingredients, calcium carbonate. Magnesium carbonate, probiotic, prebiotic Antacid Pellet 400g Gastro Ardmore Equine phytochemicals, mucosal agents,, natural antibiotics, natural stress reducers Other Paste 1 syringe Ulseraze NAF Powder, lactoferrin, ginger, marshmallow, Liquorice,psyllium seeds, phosphotidylcholine, Other Powder 60g U-Guard Equine America Calcium carbonate, kaolin, liquorice, aloe Vera, iron oxide, dried apple pectin pulp, magnesium silicate, vitamin B5 and magnesium oxide. Antacid Coats & protects Powder 40g Stomacare Twydil polyunsaturated fatty acids, phospholipds, chitosan glucosamine fibre Antacid Coats & protects Syringe 1-2 syringes (60-120g) Dietary prevention of ulceration Mark Tompkins chairman of the Newmarket Trainers Federations takes the view that “a common sense approach to gastric ulcers is what's needed, with care being taken over the feeding regime and any stress on horses being kept to a minimum”. In essence he is absolutely correct and as we largely know what the dietary trigger factors are, this should be a fairly straightforward process.

Firstly, whilst the need to minimise gut fill from forage is appreciated, we should try to maximise forage intake whenever possible. This serves two purposes by increasing the amount of protective saliva produced, but also reducing the amount of time that horses in training spend without access to feed. Racehorses could benefit from the best of both worlds, if they were fed more hay or haylage for the majority of the time, with the level being reduced to a minimum (1% of bodyweight for hay and 1.25% of bodyweight for haylage) in the 2-3 days before racing. Additionally, any horses that suffer from recurrent ulcers would certainly benefit from turnout onto pasture for some part of the day. Ensuring meal size is minimised can mollify the negative effects of a high cereal intake. Greater number of small meals, rather than a few large ones is the better option.

It is usually the second and third meals of the day that often need to be reduced and be redistributed to a fourth late feed. Addition of generous double handful of alfalfa chaff to concentrate feeds will also encourage chewing and improve saliva production. Supplements fed to help maintain gastric mucosal health are unlikely to be as effective as drug treatments such as Omeprazole. However, they can be used as an adjunct to veterinary therapy following an initial course of treatment, or during periods where drug treatment has to be withdrawn to avoid contravening doping regulations. In choosing a product however, selecting those from companies that have tested the efficacy of their product in a scientific environment is a wise strategy.

Warren Stute - a look back at a lifetime of uncompromising standards

Shortly after his 80th birthday a few years ago, trainer Warren Stute agreed to stop galloping his horses.
“I could still do it, but I promised my family so they would stop worrying,” the wiry old-timer confided begrudgingly to a Hollywood Park publicist in his gruff voice after being slowed by a minor stroke.

That was vintage Warren Stute, a tough-talking conditioner who spent nearly seven decades on horseback before passing away in Arcadia at age 85 on August 9.

Stute, the senior half of the most famous brother training act in Southern California history with 80-year-old Melvin, left vivid memories as a top horseman with uncompromising standards.

Stute was not the easiest man to get along with, but he was respected by all and beloved by many, as several attested during a memorial service in the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club paddock attended by about 300 on August 13.

“Warren was tough, ornery and opinionated, but was the most lovable guy,” said Joe Harper, Del Mar president and CEO. He recalled his “introduction” to Stute in 1967 as a neophyte track cameraman nearly trampled by a horse Stute was exercising.

Harper would spend many mornings in the stable cafeteria at a table including the Stute brothers and the late Clement Hirsch, a track executive and owner who had horses with Warren for 50 years. “I cherished those mornings, listening to him and his suggestions at the coffee klatch,” said Harper.

Although an outspoken right-wing conservative and anti-feminist, Stute nevertheless earned admiration from a centrist veterinarian and a female trainer.

“We first saw each other in 1971--I can’t say met, because all he did was scowl,” recalled track veterinarian Rick Arthur. “The next year he wanted me fired because he said I was a hippie. He could only say liberal with disgust. I considered myself a moderate, but he thought that was liberal. He was gruff, had a temper and wouldn’t talk to you--some for hours, some for life--but for all his gruffness, he had a real kind heart,” said Arthur. “He helped his grooms when they got in trouble with the stewards and security and bailed one out of jail. He thought grooms should park in a lot near the Del Mar backside instead of owners, for which it was reserved.”
I turned a horse I owned named Guillermo over to him when he was 77 or 78 with the condition he couldn’t gallop him,” recalled Arthur of the Real Good Deal Stakes winner. “He got on him anyway and said he was the only one who could handle him.

“In 30 years, I can’t remember ever putting a horse trained by Warren down in a race,” added Arthur. “Warren knew when to stop. He didn’t try to get one more race out of a horse. We lost a good old-school trainer.”
Trainer Jenine Sahadi, no wilting violet herself, remembered a friendly truce with Stute. “He was my neighbor for 17 years (at Santa Anita),” said Sahadi. “He wanted to know why I wasn’t making eggs and bacon.
“One morning, I told Warren I was jogging a horse, and he said, ’If you want to jog those SOB’s, take them to Yonkers (a harness track).’ He said you gallop and work thoroughbreds.”

Octogenarian Jack Robbins, a retired veterinarian and president of the Oak Tree Racing Association, began on the track around the same time as Stute. “He didn’t have a lot of tolerance for owners,” said Robbins. “If anyone told him how to train, out he went.”

Yet a few owners maintained long alliances with Stute, none longer than Clement Hirsch. “As far as loyalty, if you were his friend, he was the best friend you could ever have,” said Bo Hirsch, Clement’s son who continued the family affiliation by keeping horses with Stute for seven years after his father’s death.

Stute made his first major mark in racing when he won the 1951 Santa Anita Maturity (later renamed the Strub Stakes) with Great Circle under Bill Shoemaker when it was the richest race in the world with a $205,700 purse.
Later in 1951, Stute won the Del Mar Debutante with Tonga, a race he would win again 51 years later in 2002 with Miss Houdini for Bo Hirsch. Stute spread his fame internationally earlier in 2002 when he scored the richest victory of his career with Grey Memo in the $1-million Godolphin Mile in Dubai.

There were dozens of stakes winners in between, particularly a blitz during 1969 and 1970 with South American imports Figonero and Snow Sporting and tomboy filly June Darling.

Warren and Mel formed a life-long mutual admiration society despite contrasting personalities, and each thought the other belonged in the Racing Hall of Fame.

“I might be the luckiest man in the world,” said Mel. “He’s not heavy; he’s my brother. He carried me since I was one day old. In my humble opinion, he was the greatest trainer who ever was.”
Mel conceded that his brother could be tough and stubborn, but that he came through when the chips were down. Mel recalled Warren bailing him out financially, once by paying his rent and once by buying tires for his car.

“I wanted to cancel a party for my 80th birthday and saw him 10 days before,” said Mel. “He said, ’I’ve made 79 of your birthdays and I’ll make your 80th.’ He died the morning after my birthday.”

Steve Stute, Warren’s older son, confessed that it was not easy growing up as a teenager during the 1960s. “He broke all my Bob Dylan records and threw all my sociology books for college out the window,” recalled Steve, whose father refused to speak to him for three years when he grew his hair long. “But he was honest.”

Glen Stute, Warren’s younger son and a trainer, thanked the racing community for its support. “The outpouring of love since this man has passed has blown my mind,” said Glen. “The tears in your eyes, the stories I have never heard carried me through all this.”

Steve Schuelein
 (01 October 2007 - Issue Number: 5)

TRM Trainer of the Quarter - Freddie Head

The TRM Trainer of the Quarter goes to Freddie Head for the win of Marchand d'Or in the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.

James Crispe (European Trainer - Issue 15 / Autumn 2006)

The future of dispute resolution - alternatives to the usual legal process

Disputes about horses and money are all too common in the racing world. The legal process is not a good way of settling disputes it can be costly, lengthy, antagonistic and uncertain. Therefore other ways of settling disputes have been sought. Walking away from a problem may work but it all too often returns twofold. Arbitration To solve a problem by simple negotiation (i.e., with no intermediaries and no legal processes) is a blessing but unfortunately such cases are rare as people often become entrenched in a dispute protecting a “point of principle.” In the USA and increasingly in Europe the costs of legal proceedings have become astronomical. The most common form of legally binding dispute resolution is litigation through the courts before a judge who must be seen as being disinterested and unbiased and where each party is given a fair opportunity to: 1. Present his/her case. 2. To know the opposing case, and 3. To answer it. An arbitrator can be chosen by both parties to act as the judge in their dispute. The traditional legal process has no procedure that allows the parties in a dispute to discuss their respective cases with frankness and openness without giving away their bargaining positions. The unsatisfactory factors of the traditional legal processes have led to the development of alternative dispute resolution the aim of which is “a process for finding a solution that the parties can live with.” Negotiation is the commonest way that disputes are settled. It is only when direct negotiation breaks down that some other means of reaching a settlement is required. Mediation Mediation is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) where the parties select an independent third party, or neutral who will assist the parties to reach an acceptable solution. The mediator discusses the problem with both parties together and also separately in private sessions called “caucuses”. These private caucuses enable the mediator to use his or her imaginative problem solving skills to encourage frank and open discussions for both parties. The mediator is there to guide the parties to their own solutions. The mediator is not there to make judgements but to act as an honest broker rather than a judge. Mediation may be brought to the attention of the disputants by solicitors, by a colleague who has experience of mediation as a method of alternative dispute resolution or by the courts. There are court mediation schemes in many larger cities and an increasing number of civil cases brought to the courts are directed back for mediation. It should be emphasised that over 80% of mediations are successful, that the cost of mediation is dramatically less than litigation and also that the proceedings are confidential. It should be noted that parties directed to mediation by the courts, who decline the mediation process, may be charged costs by the court even if they win their case. The process of mediation is that the mediator meets and introduces himself to the two parties. Each party nominates a spokesperson who can be the disputant, the insurer, or friend or a solicitor or barrister. The mediator will then ask each party to outline their side of the dispute, the so-called “initial opening statement”. All parties are present and the mediator listens to both statements. The mediator then separates the two parties and speaks to them both individually. These private sessions are called caucuses. The first caucus tends to be for a relatively short time but then the caucus can be for variable lengths of time in order for the mediator to ascertain the facts, explore both parties evidence and opinions. The mediator explains that he will not reveal any information to the other party unless he is given specific permission to do so. The mediator is not a judge but merely acts as a catalyst exploring alternative methods by which the dispute might be solved. These mediation hearings are “without prejudice”. This means that in the event of the dispute not being solved then the evidence and discussions cannot be mentioned at any subsequent legal trials. It should be emphasised that the vast majority off mediations (>80%) result in a successful outcome and both parties will find common ground and the mediator produces a short conclusive statement which both parties sign. What subjects of disputes can be mediated? For trainer disputes can arise from numerous quarters from the initial purchase of horses, syndicate disputes, partnership disagreements, personal injuries, employment disputes, farriery problems, problems with builders over stables, all-weather gallops etc. The list is endless. Throughout Europe racehorse trainers face the same problems. The marvellous “old-fashioned owners” who even when faced with the worst of luck would murmur - “Oh well, that’s racing!” - are all too rare these days and in the age of modern syndicates there is often a “closet barrister” or a syndicate member who cannot accept that “accidents happen” and who are determined to prove that every piece of bad luck must be someone’s fault and that somebody “definitely needs pursuing”. In my experience, modern trainers may be accused of “ducking and weaving” but they are merely trying to avoid the left hook that often comes from the most unexpected quarter. As they search the world for a horse that may be a “hidden gem” with some “form” which might enable it to compete with the best there are inherent risks. As an equine veterinary surgeon I have been dispatched to far-flung corners of the globe to “vet” such horses and on the whole such entrepreneurial owners have benefited greatly. Galileo, Tulipa and Cobbett have arrived from Warsaw racetrack and acquitted themselves with great aplomb, but for every success there have been some disappointments and the buying and selling of racehorses is often fraught with the possibilities for a dispute. For the “Veterinary Defence Society” (VDS) the purchase of horses represents the biggest single area of problems for the equine veterinary surgeon and the VDS does a very fine job in looking after the interests of veterinary surgeons in this very complicated area. One thing is certain and that is that in the life of a modern European trainer disputes will and do occur from the relatively minor – “How come I was fined by the Jockey Club because the vaccination in the passport was a few days out, and the horse couldn’t then race for a further twenty one days while this problem was rectified?” To the high-profile and well-documented dispute between Coolmore and Sir Alex Ferguson over the ownership of Rock Of Gibraltar. Mediation can take place even when a court date has been set. The costs of mediation are likely to be a fraction of the costs of a court case. In the unusual event of mediation not reaching a satisfactory conclusion then a court case can always occur. The mediation process is one in which a compromise agreement is made i.e., it is not a win/lose situation but a solution that both parties can live with. Some contact details: The Veterinary Mediation Association – www.veterinarymediation.com

New European legislation could prove costly for racehorse transporters

THE enforcement of new European legislation next spring may come as a costly blow to racehorse transporters. The regulation aims to safeguard animal welfare by radically improving conditions during transport, but the racing industry feels that existing standards are already sufficient and the innovations amount to only red tape.

The “Animal Welfare During Transport Regulation” was first drafted by the European Commission in November 2004, primarily with the desire to safeguard livestock being moved for slaughter. There have been countless horror stories involving these poor beasts, who are often subjected to shockingly cramped conditions and treated with little dignity. Racehorses, however, are another matter entirely, but the bill will have a knock-on effect unless an exemption clause is brought in.

Animal transporters (not racehorse transporters) undertaking journeys of over eight hours will be forced to fit satellite navigation systems into newly built vehicles from next year, while all vehicles must have the equipment from 2009. There is also a stipulation for air conditioning. Drivers and staff will need to achieve competency certificates. The total cost of improvements, upgrades and other compliance is thought to total up to £20,000 / €29,000 per vehicle. For both racehorse transport companies and private individuals, this will come as a serious financial blow. It is thought that the governments of Ireland and France will be lenient when it comes to enforcing these regulations. This is no surprise in the case of the former, given the long-standing desire to protect its racing industry for economic, social and political reasons. Britain, however, is another matter, and there are plenty who feel that the overzealous manner with which the detail of EU regulations are adhered to is to the country's detriment.

Kevin Needham, who runs BBA Shipping And Transport Ltd, feels that the needless astringency of the new rules will result in only one reaction. "Operators will ignore them," he said. "Bring a prosecution will be so difficult; there is much the authorities will need to prove. This is nothing but a source of irritation and annoyance." "Every horse box we build nowadays is different to the one before. The whole process is geared towards the operator. Whatever facility you want can be added, and the standard of boxes nowadays is a lot better than in the past. We are not driving lorries with cart springs around anymore, now we have modern chassis with air suspension."

According to Needham and other executives in the same sector, it behoves transporters to move racing and breeding stock with the greatest possible care already. "It matters to everyone who moves thoroughbreds that they get to the races in the best possible condition. Optimum performance depends on it, and our customers rightly will not stand for anything less." Merrick Francis of the Racehorse Transporters’ Association is optimistic that a differentiation will be made between racehorses and other livestock that will overt the situation. "It is still all up for consultation and interpretation by DEFRA [the department for environment, food and rural affairs] but there is reason for optimism that a practical solution can be found," he said.

The pivotal point of this situation is that the EU has listed the changes as 'regulations' rather than 'directives'. This allows the British government far less flexibility, though, according to the Racehorse Trainers’ Federation chief executive Rupert Arnold, they are doing what they can. "DEFRA is trying to be as flexible and helpful as possible. I think that we can find a way through this, but there are areas such as with competency certificates and the regulations applying to journey times and distances that need clarification," he said. One thorny issue of the new regulations is that of competency certificates, which will be required for both drivers and their assistants. Many transporters feel strongly that it is ridiculous to ask a box driver of 40 years experience to pass a test conducted by someone else with far less knowledge of the trade.

Furthermore, there are new controls preventing horses being transported below 0C and above 30C, but trainers who set off for the races early in the morning could not help but offend this stipulation. Most punitive of all is the rule that pertains to the angle of slope of a horse box's ramp which would immediately outlaw a huge number of existing lorries. Cathy McGlynn, the European consultant for the British Horseracing Board, is attempting to assuage these and other frustrations for the racing industry. And the good news is that she is making purposeful headway. "We have been working hard at this for four years, consulting with Rupert Arnold and Merrick Francis and the civil servants. Our dealings with DEFRA have been constructive," she said. "The chances are that domestic racehorse transporters will not be too hard hit, but those firms operating on the continent will have to comply. Details are still to be sorted out." McGlynn concurs with those who feel that the high standards of welfare common throughout the racing industry need no improving upon. Like Arnold, she is particularly frustrated at the rules pertaining to permissible temperature. "There is just no scientific basis for this regulation. If there were, it would be a different matter, but there is no proof of any welfare issue at temperatures outside those which they state." "In some parts of Europe, for example, it is below zero for half of the year. Introducing regulation that cannot be adhered to is futile," she said.

The fact is that this issue took horns from the disgraceful state in which horses for slaughter have been treated in countries such as Hungary and Poland. The International League For The Protection Of Horses and the RSPCA are entirely justified to have taken action over this issue, and the legislation is a step forward in this sphere. But penalising racehorse transporters seems invidious. Needham is particularly irritated by the intransigency of the EU to differentiate between the two situations. "It is a case of one size being made to fit all. The regulations are made from the meat-horse perspective. Nobody is going to jeopardise a Sadler's Wells filly with a foal at foot, for example," he said.

Furthermore, the directive is also looking for all loading ramps to have a 20 degree loading angle and for all boxes to have a minimum headroom of 75cm (roughly 30 inches) above the withers. There is no way that small operators can take on the significant extra expenditure to modify existing boxes, and most will choose to run the gauntlet. Racehorse transportation has taken a quantum leap forward in tandem with the increasing internationalisation of the sport. Gone are the days in which European horses were not in a fit state to compete at events such as the Breeders' Cup. And the awareness of optimum international travel, coupled with the great strides made in other equine sports, have had a knock-on effect in raising domestic standards. "Arthur Stephenson used to send his horses to Cheltenham and back (500 mile round trip) in a day, and horses can still travel long distances, get off the box and run well," Needham says. "Traffic is a bigger problem nowadays, however. Our boxes going to Ireland can get stuck on the A14 for hours. Forward planning can overt this to a degree, such as traveling at off-peak times where it is practical. There are always unforseen delays though. Finding a solution to awkward problems is a daily problem for transporters."

In addition to the new regulation, all horseboxes sold after May 1st 2006 are now fitted with Digital Tacographs, to record driver’s hours and from October 1st 2006 all horse boxes have to be sold with a “Euro 4” specification engine. “The idea behind the new specification engine is to reduce engine emissions even further” says George Smith of George Smith Horseboxes. “However, they’ve been cleaned up since 1990, the new specification is simply to reduce both Nitrous Oxide and soot this is impossible unless you use either an AD Blue System or exhaust gas recirculation”. The cost – approximately £3,000 (€5,000). Naturally, vehicle manufacturers are advising us to buy new boxes before the new regulations come into force!

Electrolyte Balance – vital to the proper functioning of a racehorse's system

Electrolytes are essential components of the racehorse’s diet as they are vital to the proper functioning of the body’s basic physiological processes, such as nerve conduction, muscle contraction, fluid balance and skeletal integrity. The major electrolytes, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium are widely distributed within the body, but can be more concentrated in particular organs and tissues. For example, the level of potassium is very high in red blood cells but quite low in plasma, and the level of calcium in blood is low, but comparatively very high in bone and in muscle cells. The body has in-built mechanisms that work to maintain the correct electrolyte balance within the tissues, fluids and cells. These modify the absorption of electrolytes in the gut, or their excretion by the kidneys. These mechanisms are not foolproof however, and electrolyte loss through sweat can be a major issue for Thoroughbreds. The sweat of the equine athlete, unlike its human counterpart, is hypertonic; meaning that horse sweat contains higher levels of electrolytes than the circulating blood plasma. Consequently, the horse loses comparatively large quantities of electrolytes through sweating.

Although the electrolyte composition of equine sweat varies between individuals, on average a litre would contain about 3.5g of sodium, 6g of chloride, 1.2g of potassium and 0.1g of calcium. From this we can see that the majority of the electrolyte lost is in the form of sodium and chloride or ‘salt’. The amount of sweat produced on a daily basis and therefore the quantity of electrolytes lost differs from horse to horse and depends on a number of factors. As sweating is primarily a cooling mechanism, how hard a horse is working, i.e. the duration and intensity of exercise and both the temperature and humidity of the environment are all significant. Horses can easily produce 10 litres of sweat per hour when working hard in hot humid conditions. Stressful situations can also cause greatly increased sweating.

For example, during transport horses can lose a significant amount of electrolyte through sweating and the opportunity for replenishing this loss through the diet may be less as feeding frequency is reduced. Use of electrolyte supplements either in the form of powders or pastes is advocated before, during and after travel, especially over long distances. Jim Paltridge from IRT (UK) Ltd, (International Racehorse Transport), says, "we use a powdered electrolyte supplement added to the feed on a regular basis given for the 3 days prior to travel. We find this helps offset much of the loss normally incurred during transport and subsequently the horses arrive at their destination in better shape. We feel this electrolyte supplementation is a valuable attribute in the ongoing battle to reduce in-flight dehydration".

Electrolytes lost from the body in sweat must be replenished through the diet. All feeds, including forages, have a natural electrolyte content and in concentrate feeds this is usually enhanced by the addition of ‘salt’, which is sodium chloride. Forages such as grass, hay, haylage or alfalfa (lucerne) naturally contain a large amount of potassium, as can be seen from the table 1 below. In fact, 5kg of hay for example, would provide in the region of 75g of potassium, which largely meets the potassium needs of a horse in training. It is therefore questionable whether an electrolyte supplement needs to routinely contain very much potassium unless forage intake is low. Calcium is another important electrolyte, but it is lost in sweat in only very small amounts and its availability in the diet tends to be very good.

Calcium is particularly abundant in alfalfa with each kilogram of the forage providing nearly 1.5g of calcium. A kilo of alfalfa alone would therefore go a long way towards replacing the likely calcium loss through sweating. In addition, the calcium found in alfalfa is very ‘available’ to the horse in comparison to other sources, such as limestone. Calcium gluconate is another very available source of calcium, however, it has a relatively low calcium content compared to limestone (9% vs. 38%) and so much more needs to be fed to achieve an equivalent calcium intake. Interestingly, there is great variation between individual horses in their ability to absorb calcium, however, scientific studies carried out at Edinburgh Vet School showed that this variability was considerably less when a natural calcium source in the form of alfalfa was fed.

By far the most important electrolytes to add to the feed are sodium and chloride or ‘salt’. The levels of sodium and chloride found in forage are quite low and due to manufacturing constraints only limited amounts of salt can be added to traditional racing feeds. A typical Racehorse Cube fed at a daily intake of 5kg (11lbs) would provide only about 20g of sodium and 30g of chloride. As can be seen from table 2 this is a fair way short of meeting the daily requirements for these particular electrolytes by a racehorse in hard work.

It is therefore very important that supplemental sodium and chloride is fed. Ordinary table salt is by far the simplest and most economical electrolyte supplement, but the downside is the issue of palatability as the addition of larger quantities of salt to the daily feed can cause problems with horses ‘eating up’. As an alternative salt could be added to the water, but only when a choice of water with and without salt is offered. Salt should not be added to the water if it puts a horse off from drinking, as dehydration will become a problem.

Inadequate water intake can also contribute to impaction colic. Saltlicks are another alternative, although intake can be vary variable and we rely on the horse’s innate ability to realise its own salt requirements, which is questionable. So addition to the feed is by far the best route for adding salt or electrolyte supplements to the diet. Splitting the daily intake between two or three feeds can reduce problems with palatability.

Mixing salt and Lo Salt can make another simple DIY electrolyte supplement in the proportion of for example 500g to 250g respectively. Salt is sodium chloride (NaCl), whilst Lo Salt contains a mixture of sodium chloride and potassium chloride (KCl). This formulation provides 3g of sodium, 6g of chloride and 1g of potassium per 10g measure. This DIY mixture will replace these electrolytes in the approximate proportions that they are lost in sweat. What are the implications of a racehorse’s diet containing too little or too much of an electrolyte and how can we assess this? An inadequate level of certain electrolytes in the diet in some horses may simply result in reduced performance. In other individuals, it can make them more susceptible to conditions such as rhabdomyolysis (tying up), or synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (thumps), both of which are regularly seen in horses in training. Conversely, an excess electrolyte intake is efficiently dealt with by the kidneys and is ultimately removed from the body via the urine.

Therefore, the most obvious effect of an excessive electrolyte intake is increased drinking and urination. For this reason, the use of water buckets rather than automatic drinkers is preferred, as whilst the latter are far more labour efficient, the ability to assess water intake daily is lost. Excessive electrolyte intake can also be a causative factor in diarrhoea and some forms of colic. There is also some recent evidence in the scientific press that suggests that repeated electrolyte supplementation might aggravate gastric ulcers. However, these early studies used an electrolyte administration protocol typical of that seen during endurance racing, rather than simply a daily or twice daily administration, which is more commonly used in racing.

Supplements that contain forms of electrolyte that dissolve more slowly in the stomach, however, may be less aggressive to the sensitive mucosa. Unfortunately blood levels of sodium, potassium, chloride or calcium are poor indicators of whether dietary intake is sufficient or excessive unless it is very severe. This is because the body has effective systems for regulating the levels of these electrolytes in blood within very tight physiological limits. A creatinine clearance test, which measures the electrolyte content of a paired blood and urine sample is a much more useful indicator of dietary electrolyte adequacy.

There are a large number of commercial electrolyte products available, with a wide range in the breadth of ingredients that they contain. Consequently, they vary enormously in the amount of electrolyte that they deliver per recommended daily dose, as can be seen in table 3. In addition, whilst some glucose or other carbohydrate can help improve palatability, its presence should not compromise the amount of electrolyte that is contained within the supplement. In humans, it is recognised that the uptake of sodium from the gut is improved in the presence of glucose, while this effect in horses has not been firmly established. Electrolyte paste products are also often used either before and or after racing or travel.

These products are useful as they allow rapid electrolyte intake even when feed eaten may be reduced following racing. These electrolyte pastes often provide a more concentrated form of supplement and it is extremely important to ensure that the horse has access to water immediately following their use. Failure to do this may mean that the concentration of electrolytes in the gut actually draws water from the circulating blood, which can exacerbate dehydration. Another disadvantage with paste supplements is that if they are not formulated well, with an appropriate consistency, they can be difficult to dispense from a syringe and the horse may also be able to spit most of the product out after administration.

Some simple rules of thumb for choosing a good electrolyte are that salt should be one of the first ingredients listed on pack, as all ingredients are listed in descending order of inclusion. Additionally, be wary of supplements that taste sweet, as they may contain a lot of carbohydrate filler and little electrolyte. Some electrolyte supplements also contain many superfluous ingredients such as vitamins and trace minerals. The inclusion of these latter ingredients is largely unwarranted and their presence could cause issues with oversupply if the electrolyte is multi-dosed daily. Some electrolyte products specifically marketed towards racing may also contain bicarbonate.

The theory behind its inclusion is sound as ‘milk shaking’, whilst outside the rules of racing, has some scientific validity. However, the limited amount of bicarbonate contained in such electrolyte supplements is unlikely to have the positive effect on performance attributed to the former practice. Other extra ingredients such as pre-biotics may be more useful as they may improve the absorption of some electrolytes. In Summary, electrolyte supplementation in one form or another is essential within a racing diet. Ensuring that you are using a good electrolyte supplement is important and the quantities fed must be flexible and respond to changes in the level of work, degree of sweating and climate.

Inhalation therapy - treating airway problems in the racehorse

Physiologically speaking, one of the major limiting factors to racehorse performance is how efficiently the lungs can exchange gasses. Training maximises the potential of any athlete, equine or human, to continue functioning at full throttle while the metabolism changes to deal with an oxygen debt in the muscle tissues. Clearly any threat to the efficiency of the lungs will result in poor performance. Horses are subject to a wide range of respiratory diseases; heaves, lung bleeding or exercise- induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH), and exercise induced Airway Inflammatory Disease (IAD) among them. Another description of the same basic problem is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or (COPD). Like all mammals, horses suffer from allergic reactions as well as viral and bacterial infections. The epithelial linings of the airways and the lungs are sensitive to infection or foreign bodies of any size, and the result is usually a mucosal discharge which blocks the airway.

Whichever route an animal has airway problems, by infection or allergy, the result is almost the same; mucous builds up, coughing and irritation, frequent nose bleeding and considerably reduced performance. Moreover, some animals with tendencies towards heaves can show little signs of respiratory stress at times, but can be triggered later, more frequently by pollen and dust, when a change in regime occurs. The treatment options can be quite different for horses with a zootic infection to those with an allergy. Treatment of IAD involves the use of bronchial dilators and steroids, which have treatment implications of their own. Some of the drugs used can cause the gut to become sluggish, and can lead to colic.

Many of them induce tachycardia, the speeding of the heart rate, and still others make the animal skittish and nervous. Similarly, the use of corticosteroids in cases of allergic response, can affect the immune system, lead to numbers of other opportunistic infections, particularly in the mouth and have been implicated in laminitis. Bronchodilators include substances well known to human medicine and their function is to cause the dilation of the airways, thus allowing more air in and out of the lung. When irritated, the airways constrict and then produce mucous, which is then countered by the drug. There are two types of drug used for dilation of the airways, and they work very differently in the horse.

The Salbutamol type inhalation works on receptors on the epithelial cells of the airway, relaxing the muscle, thus causing dilation. They work at best for around an hour. A second class of drug, anticholinergics, work on various parts of the larger airway. Consequently, a mixture of the two types of drug is frequently used. Nigel Haizelden of the Ledston Equine Clinic in Castleford, West Yorkshire has been using this therapy for over 12 years and states that all kinds of drugs are administered using this system. Using a nebuliser, antibiotics, corticosteroids and bronchodilators are regularly applied. He points out that “the nebuliser is used to get the specific particle size which is required to reach a certain part of the lung – this is critical to the treatment.” Another important aspect of the bronchodilator is that the easier breathing allows the animal to relax under exercise, something which tends to promote further airway dilation. However, they do nothing for inflammation. Treatment should be associated with a regime which removes the animal from possible irritants. Trainer magazine has dealt with varying aspects in recent issues, from dust-free bedding to pollen allergy; particularly that produced by Oil Seed Rape.

One of the problems of treatment has included the fact that in order to get the drugs into the animal, the whole horse has to be treated. Injecting a horse with drugs means providing a high enough concentration in the animal’s blood which, when diluted by the circulatory system and metabolised by the liver, there is enough at the site of operation to do its work. Consequently a much higher concentration of drug is used than would be required if it could somehow be administered solely where it is needed and nowhere else. Inhalation therapy has been used in humans for a long time, from the vapour baths of Victorian days to modern viral carrier gene manipulation therapy proposed for such disorders as cystic fibrosis.

There are a number of benefits. Firstly the lung is an excellent way of getting a balanced concentration of drug into the blood stream. It works very quickly. In the case of airway disease, the drug is being used directly at the point that it is needed, and consequently the amount of drug required to be effective is greatly reduced. This improves treatment options by reducing the possibility of side effects. There are a couple of products on the market that allow this type of therapy. The Aeromask and the Equine-haler. Both are available via the vet and come from the United States. Their use has become increasingly widespread across Europe, particularly in France and Germany, where there have been particular links with American racing practices. IN the UK they have been used for at least fifteen years and the treatment regimes have developed accordingly. The Aeromask is strapped onto the head and the drug is held in a reservoir called the spacer. The Equine-haler is a cone which has to be held over the nose of the animal while the drugs are placed in a compartment at the bottom. This allows for a metered dose aerosol to deliver a dose to the spacer which is then inhaled by the horse. It only works on one nostril, and a puff of medicine is released into the nose.

The Equine-haler need not be held in position all the time, it allows for a puff of medicine to be fired into a spacer which then can be applied to the horse when it breathes in next time. Between the two it should be possible to find a regime which will ideally suit any animal, those shy of the head bag of the Aeromask could easily treated by the Equine-haler and visa versa according to the treatment required. It is important that only a measured amount of drug is administered, under veterinary control, so that overdoses do not occur. Similarly, the equipment should not be used to administer anything other than prescribed medicines. One yard on the continent was reported to have used their own remedies in association with the mask, which consequently caused some blistering to the horse’s mouth.

There are some risks associated with the use of inhalation therapy. One is associated with the drugs themselves. These drugs are particularly effective on the metabolism of the animal. It produces dilation of blood vessels, particularly in the liver, and it also promotes the production of insulin. In America at least, where there are different rules in various states regards doping, trainers are advised to take advice before racing. However, this method of treatment has meant that withdrawal periods for horses under treatment are considerably reduced in comparison to former treatments. Another possible problem is associated with the effect of the drug on the mouth, where fungal infections have been associated in humans with constant use.

Pia Brandt - a Swedish trainer taking on the giants of Chantilly

Declaration time – anomalies around the world

JUST when I thought that things in the administrative world could not get any worse, they did, though it took a trip to South Africa to discover the elements of an entry and declaration system that, at face value, makes any problems faced by European racehorse owners and trainers look like a little local difficulty.

Having researched the major European racing nations, and thrown in a smattering of the topmost events in North America, Asia and Australia, I thought I had a handle on where the best and worst value was to be had, from an entry and declaration perspective.

Then I met Mike Wankling, who recently relocated from Singapore to his native South Africa to take up the newly created post as manager of handicapping and race planning for the country’s National Horseracing Authority.

“You think there are some early closers around the world, but what about having most of the biggest races wrapped up ten days ahead of the race,” he says. That’s everything done: final declarations, jockeys and draw, the lot. And that’s for the whole programme, usually of eight races, on the particular big-raceday.

“We have about ten big days around the country, and every one has an early declaration for the entire card,” Wankling explains. “The only reason for a horse to be withdrawn after that stage is on veterinary grounds, and perhaps surprisingly we have very few of those. Maybe it’s because the horse can’t then run for a period of 14 days, except with the stewards’ permission.

“I’ve heard the complaints from British trainers, about changes to the going, over the proposed introduction of 48-hour declarations, but we don’t have a culture of people taking out their horses over ground conditions in South Africa.”

With race conditions for major handicaps that allow Wankling to add discretionary weight penalties for winners – but not for other horses that might show improved form – he is happy with his part of the bargain. But while he accepts the need to market and promote the big events, he is not happy with such a length of time between declaration and race day.

“In Hong Kong, for instance, they declare on the Thursday for their international races on the Sunday,” he says. “In Singapore they do the same for the Singapore Airlines Cup, and having declared in the morning, they print the race cards, with owners’ colours, by four o’clock in the afternoon. I’d certainly like to see us cut down the declaration time in South Africa.”

Strange as it may seem, the reason for South Africa’s uncommonly early system for major events can be traced to the country’s printing industry, though the original decision was taken back in the 1970s, with the introduction of exotic bets such as the four-race jackpot.

Derek Wiid, now business development executive for South Africa’s racing and betting company Phumelela, recalls the time when jockeys were not declared until the day of racing, and punters would laboriously enter the names against horses that had been declared two days previously.

Wiid explains: “When the exotic bets were brought in, punters objected to the late changes. They said they wanted extra time to think about their bets, because they were more difficult than straight win bets. So that began the process for earlier declarations.”

However, the big driver came from the demands of the printing and distribution business, which still also explains why South Africa’s everyday races are declared on Tuesdays (for racing on the following Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday) and Thursdays (for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday hence), to produce an array of time lapses that vary between three and seven days.

The relevant information about runners, draw and jockeys is generated by the National Racing Bureau, which takes entries in the way that Weatherbys does in Britain and France-Galop in France, for publication in the official race card and the main form guide, Computaform.

Without a very early declaration stage, it would be impossible to get the information to punters, on and off course, in time to generate appropriate levels of betting turnover, Wiid says.

He explains: “Both Computaform and the race card have small print runs, which are handled individually in each city for racing in Johannesburg and Durban, and sent between the two, which is a five-hour journey by car, while Cape Town does its own printing, and sends them eight hours to the other main cities.

“But on top of that, we have to send the race books from Johannesburg to the rest of Gauteng province, which can be 350km away on difficult farm roads. Distribution is a nightmare.”

The form guide might be Computaform, but transmission and distribution of the printed word has yet to reach the computer age in South Africa – and several other places around the world, come to that.

North America might have had men on the moon, and the declaration system is the shortest on the planet – usually 48 or 72 hours from entry to race, as individual racing secretaries ring trainers to fill races and write substitute events if the original comes up short - but US race fans generally have to go to the track to pick up copies of Daily Racing Form, so vast is the distribution area.

At the other end of the entry and declaration spectrum is Scandinavia, which has much less racing than South Africa, but Norway and Sweden still get their full lists of runners, riders and draw in the bag six days before racing, so that race cards can be printed and distributed to faraway places in good time for punters to pore over their exotic bets.

Denmark manages to get by on a five-day declaration system, but throughout Scandinavia there are generally only a minimal number of absentees from the published cards.

Elsewhere, among the main racing nations of Europe, the time-lag between entry, declaration and running is usually shorter, except – and there always seem to be an exception in this topic – for Group and Listed races.

Yet there are as many systems as there are countries, and the reasons for the differences are often more to do with working practice within the relevant racing authority than practicality within the racing community.

Outside the Pattern system – but sometimes within it – Britain revolves round a five-day entry system, which, like most changes now taken for granted, caused consternation and furore among the training fraternity when it was introduced.

But – yes, there has to be a but – entries for races on Fridays and Sundays are made six days ahead, because Weatherbys only takes overnight declarations on a Sunday, so entries for Friday racing are made the previous Saturday, and Sunday racing involves a 48-hour declaration stage, so entries are made on a Monday.

Weatherbys takes no entries on Tuesdays or Sundays. On the other hand, the Irish Turf Club office is closed on a Saturday, takes no entries on a Sunday, and runs an entry system covering four, five and six days.

As for declarations, British owners, trainers and punters have had to keep on their toes. The general overnight declaration stage, which enables the runners, riders and draw to be printed in newspapers on the day of racing, has been gradually extended to 48 hours for Group 1 races, Sunday race meetings, all-weather track racing during the winter period, and some of the major handicaps, such as the Grand National.

Group 1 races, Sundays and ‘heritage’ handicaps were brought forward to provide extra time for marketing and promotion, either through the media or by way of ante-post betting.

But all this could soon be academic, if Britain introduces a universal 48-hour declaration from July 1, as has been accepted in principle. Universal, that is, for Flat racing. Jump racing will be the exception. There had to be an exception.

France does things differently. France takes no entries on a Saturday or a Sunday, which means the entry cycle varies between seven, eight and nine days. However, there is a 72-hour declaration stage, followed by a 48-hour cancellation, which enables Paris-Turf to print the French race cards at all manner of times through the week, to the confusion of those infrequent overseas visitors used to seeing the day’s events laid out before them.

Germany does things even more differently than Britain, Ireland and France, since it runs a five-day declaration system, with a four-day cancellation stage that produces the final fields.

However, the Direktorium operates a very strict entry system – all regular races close on a Tuesday, so that its official racing calendar can be printed the same day, even though it is dated two days later. Very easy to remember, but it does produce a variable period from entry to race day of between eight and 14 days.

Of course, that’s not counting Group and Listed anomalies piled on normal anomalies, such as Cologne’s Winterfavoriten for two-year-olds, which will be run late this autumn for horses entered in November 2005, and a Krafeld juvenile race that closed in March for a September renewal. The racecourses and the Direktorium make the rules.

And so to Italy, which has taken the single-day entry stage to even greater lengths than Germany. Italy’s chosen day of the week is Thursday, when there is generally no racing.

This means that the time-lag between putting a horse into a race and getting it to the races, after the universal 48-hour declaration, can be as short as nine days and as long as 15. Why? Please ask UNIRE, though history suggests that the answer may not be immediately forthcoming.

As if this catalogue of differences is not confusing enough, no mention has yet been made of supplementary entries and the Pattern-race system, which throws up a myriad of dates, as some countries seek to boost prize-money from early cash contributions from breeders and owners, and others strive to bring entry as close as possible to the day of racing, so as to ensure that the best possible field gathers.

Mindblowing is a word that comes to mind, especially when you factor in the need to verify entries, which means that Irish horses running in Britain have to be notified a day ahead of the home contingent, and vice versa, and that France-Galop asks for details of intended runners from overseas to be dispatched to the Paris HQ eight days before entry, so that the information can be loaded on to the main database and race weights checked.

Mindblowing, that is, until you speak to James Fry, who heads the trainers’ service at the International Racing Bureau in Newmarket.

The IRB and Weatherbys are authorised to take and make entries from Britain, but the commercial enterprise that Fry oversees has the added value of leading their clients by the hand through the minefield of entry and declaration, with a service of going reports and form guides generally pointing clients farther in the right direction.

How does Fry cope with the plethora of variations on a theme?

“I keep it up here,” he says, knowingly, tapping the back of his head. “I always try to instil self discipline. I start a job and will see it through. Perhaps I don’t delegate enough, but it comes from years and years of practice, though I still wake up in the middle of the night and think, ‘Did I do that?’ or ‘I must remember to do that tomorrow.’

“We get a lot of help from the trainers and particularly their secretaries. Some of them leave things a little late, but that’s why the clock in the office is always five minutes fast!”

So that’s the secret, which explains why former trainer Toby Balding sums up: “Weatherbys and the IRB do a great job, if you leave it to them.

“The people who get into trouble are usually the ones who try to do overseas entries and declarations themselves, and don’t read the small print.”

Back problems - how they can affect performance, and how to treat them

It is well documented that horses can suffer with back problems and they tell us by their actions. Sometimes the signs are blatant – for instance the horse stops jumping, or displays an obvious aversion to being saddled. Most of the time the signs are much more subtle. The animal may slightly change its way of moving in order to avoid pain and if untreated this becomes a chronic and long term problem, the slight change of gait becoming a progressive shortening of stride and a reduced level of performance.

The power source in the equine comes from the hind limbs propelling the body forward. If there is pain within that area the animal will use less power – and therefore go slower, or be unable to clear fences – than if it felt no pain. Traditionally we look at a horse being ‘trotted up’ in a straight line as a way of assessing soundness. This is an adequate measure in many cases where there is obvious lameness in one limb however a lame horse can ‘trot up’ sound and this shouldn’t be the only measure of soundness. Other tests such as trotting on a circle in both directions, on both hard and soft surfaces should be used. Assessing the animal at a walk on a level surface and observing from both the rear and from the side is also a very useful tool in diagnosing a slight lameness or restriction of gait. What manifests itself at a walk will still be there at a gallop. And knowing how the animal moves when sound and supple is key to knowing when something is starting to go wrong – perhaps catching a small problem before it becomes a serious lameness issue. Just saving itself from a fall or slip up when in the field can be enough to cause a problem.

A momentary error of judgment by horse or rider can force a horse to use its athletic ability to get out of trouble. A twist or over-big jumping effort can be enough. The horse can go on to complete the course or win the race that day but later, when the body has cooled down and the tired muscles are trying to recover pain can develop because of that over exertion. A subluxation may have occurred An almost imperceptible lameness or a restriction of free movement of the limbs can make all the difference between winning and losing. A slight ache or low grade back pain can make all the difference between staying the distance and tailing off last. Do horses have an ‘off day’? Or is there an underlying problem which is preventing full extension, making the animal hold itself back in order to avoid pain? The Spinal Cord is the keystone of the body. Maintaining its health and integrity is imperative in maintaining the health and wellbeing of the body as a whole, and doubly so in the case of a performance athlete.

The protection of the spinal cord is paramount in the actions of the horse or any vertebrate. The nervous system controls the whole body, with nerve control of practically every cell of the body. Subluxations or trapped nerves can interfere with the ability of the nervous system to function to the best of its ability both in control and in counteracting disease. Manipulation is therefore a means of reducing these subluxations to improve the functioning of the whole body. The skeleton is responsible for supporting the body and providing it with a strong framework consisting of rigid components which can move relative to each other at articulating joints. The spinal column provides protection to the spinal cord.

If a joint in the spinal column were to be dislocated that would result in damage to the spinal cord and paralysis or death. Between each pair of vertebrae a pair of spinal nerves leave the spinal cord through a small ‘gap’ in the muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues. A subluxation is where the joint between two bones is misaligned – muscles go into spasm and can pull one of the bones of the joint slightly out of alignment. If a joint is subluxated then the two surfaces are not quite in the correct position and nerves become impinged or ‘trapped’.

A nerve which has become trapped cannot send signals to muscles therefore function is affected. The equine athlete, and particularly the race horse, is highly susceptible to damage of the back, neck and poll. The body is put under a great deal of stress and pressure during breaking and fitness work whilst still immature. Added to this the horse must learn to carry the weight of a rider on its back and to balance itself with this shifting weight. Exertion such as galloping and jumping stresses the musculoskeletal structure and it is whilst under stress and when fatigued that injuries can occur more easily. The neck, chest withers and shoulders are of paramount importance to the action of the forelimbs.

The main nerves which feed the forelimbs leave the spinal cord between vertebrae in the lower neck and chest area (C6 –T2). If a horse struggles to flex and bend its neck to each side, up and down, shows stiffness or pain reactions it will cause restricted limb action, reduced ability to gallop, reduced speed, reduced stamina and reduced performance. As a highly strung and active animal the young horse is likely to be ‘sharp’ and difficult to handle during breaking. Whilst lunging they are prone to over-excitement resulting in leaping, bucking, rearing, spinning around etc - once backed they are still likely to display these behaviours. Rearing followed by unbalancing and going over backwards, or rearing whilst tied up with the entire weight of the body being taken over the poll region by the headcollar can lead to damage of the neck, withers and back. Rearing and hitting their head on a stable beam or flinging up the head and hitting it on the door frame or in a vehicle are all possible scenarios for damage to the poll and neck resulting in tension, pain and the development of other symptoms.

Sensitive withers can be just ticklishness but could also be soreness from the front limbs and neck. Concussion can travel right up the forelimbs resulting in sore withers. Of course a horse of any age can become sensitive in the neck and poll and often we do not know what they have done or when they have done it, unless it can be attributed to a particular incident such as a crashing fall or getting cast in the stable. Often the problem exists without explanation and could have been there for months or years – like living with a permanent head ache. Treatment with manipulation is straightforward and can give lasting relief. The main nerves which feed to the hind limbs leave the spine in the lumbar and sacral region (L4 - S2) and inflammation, soreness and pain in this area can and does cause the horse to take a shorter hind stride or unequal hind strides. The result of this will be a reduction in power leading to slower galloping speed and/or reduced stamina and failing to stay the distance.

The inexplicable poor performance of any horse could be attributed to any of the above. Fitness to do the job required is a vital part of injury prevention. Weeks of slowly building up the workload are necessary to attain the level of fitness needed for the job in mind. Additionally training involves keeping the body free from aches and pains which might lower the level of performance that the individual can attain. During training nerve damage can and does occur which will cause restrictive movement and a loss of straightness. This can be due to conformational defects, concussion, over-exertion, muscle strain, or injury.

There are no absolutes when it comes to conformation of the limb and the flight of the limb through the phases of a stride. Generally we look at conformation relating to the breed or type of the animal when standing. Some abnormalities or defects may only be evident during a phase of stride and may affect a pair of limbs or a single limb. Abnormal development within a joint can also cause a limb to exhibit a lateral gait defect. Normally the joints such as fetlock, carpus and tarsus work in a hinge-like fashion, backward and forward in a straight line parallel to the horse’s midline. An abnormality can produce a swivel-like motion and cause the limb to arc in flight. Even if a horse shows all the conformational traits that theoretically add up to straightness, if it experiences pain in any part of its body it may break all of the conformation rules in order to use its limbs in a manner which creates the least stress and pain.

An injury or soreness in a limb can cause a horse to protect one portion of the limb when landing, subsequently altering the arc of the foot’s flight. When a horse has pain in a part of the body other than the hooves or limbs, its balance during movement may be negatively altered as it compensates for the soreness. Back soreness can mimic lower limb lameness and alter foot flight. A variety of factors can cause a horse to carry its body in a stiff or crooked fashion. Sometimes the stiffness or pain is subtle but just enough to prevent the horse from tracking straight. As most people will know from personal experience – back pain reduces their ability to move freely, slows them down and if left untreated is debilitating and can lead to a long term loss of full musculoskeletal function together with general irritability.

This is no less the case in the horse and it does not necessarily mean that the horse is lame only that performance has been reduced. A horse suffering with back or neck pain will be unable to gallop as fast as it did prior to the injury, will be unable to ‘stay’ as far. The pain will restrict it and it will be unwilling to keep galloping thereby being seen to fade in the last furlongs or in severe cases never being able to lay up with the pace and being adrift from the offset. By being vigilant to the signs pain and of over-exertion and by allowing for recovery of the musculoskeletal system after work these problems can be minimised. The signs can be subtle but they are there – sometimes rest is needed, sometimes an injury has occurred which will require treatment.

Postcard from Senonnes, the training track near Nantes and Angers

Situated in France in the Mayenne region (not far from Nantes and Angers), Senonnes is a training centre in full development. There are 24 trainers and 450 horses. Some horses you may know have been trained here, for example: - Kauto Star (trained by Serge Foucher) he won 2 Group 3 races in Auteuil in 2004 (Prix Jacques d’Indy and Prix de Longchamp) and was placed in other group races (2nd in the Prix Cambaceres, 5th in the Pepinvast and 3rd in the Prix Amadou) before it was sold in England;

- Trésor de Mai (trained by Laurent Viel) he won 4 steeple-chases and was placed 3 times (5th in Auteuil in 1998 in Prix  Bayonnet) before leaving for England.

The training centre as it is now opened in 2001. It was the idea of a trainer (C Rouget), who is the vice-president of the trainers’ association) and of the ex-President of Senonnes racecourse (H Malard) and of a local politician (J Beline). It is nowadays directed by an associative structure of voluntary workers (the CERGO), this consisted of 4 persons (G Nicol being the president); 2 people maintain the tracks permanently.

The centre was constructed for both flat and jumps trainers. The 40 hectare site includes, a 2200 m deep sand track, 2 lighter sand tracks of 2000 meters and a 2100 meter grass gallop. There is also a round schooling ground on the sand (1000 meters), which includes 8 hurdles on the inside and 8 steeple-chase fences on the outside. Fences include an oxer, a brook, a wall, an English fence, a bullfinch hurdle as well as cross-country jumps on the grass. 
Trainers can also use several canters, a trotting track, an arena (4 hurdles) and starting gates.

The geographic situation of Senonnes is very good because there are over 50 racecourses within a 100km radius and the area has excellent motorway links. Paris is just 3 hours away. If we travel a horse to a France Galop course, they will even reimburse some of our transport costs!

The local economic environment is also interesting with banks and bookkeepers nearby, a very good veterinary clinic (at Meslay-du-Maine), as well as several apprentice-jockey schools. We are well catered for our supplies as we have many local farmer-producers who sell us straw, hay, oat at very reasonable rates. All the trainers at the centre get on well together and help each other.

Whilst our centre might not be the same as some of the bigger centres outside Paris it offers trainers the opportunity to train horses without the higher costs of training at a large centre.

Kiaran McLaughlin - a veteran who has enjoyed international success

By participating in the last two runnings of the Kentucky Derby, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has raised his profile among casual observers of the North American racing scene. But for those who follow the sport regularly, McLaughlin is known as a veteran horseman who has enjoyed international success.

During a career that began in the early 1980’s, McLaughlin served as an assistant to North America’s most prolific trainer, D. Wayne Lukas; he handled the business affairs for the talented, but troubled jockey Chris Antley and oversaw the training of 200 horses for the Maktoum family of the United Arab Emirates.

The trainer of a public stable since 2003, McLaughlin has built his operation to 75 horses based at two locations in New York. While the Maktoum family accounts for approximately half of his stable, McLaughlin has several North American-based clients as well.

In 2005, McLaughlin came within one-half length of pulling one of the biggest upsets in Kentucky Derby history when Closing Argument, a 71-1 longshot, was outfinished by 50-1 shot Giacomo. McLaughlin returned to the Kentucky Derby in 2006, saddling fourth-place finisher Jazil for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Shadwell Farm as well as 14th-place finisher Flashy Bull for the North American syndicate West Point Thoroughbreds, LLC.

McLaughlin could have had a third runner in the Derby, but he and owner John Dillon decided to pass the race with the multiple stakes winning gelding Like Now, who ran in the Preakness instead.

McLaughlin, 45, has navigated the last eight years of his life while suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, a neurological disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. He was diagnosed with the disease in October 1998, not long before he won Aqueduct’s Grade 2 Knickerbocker Handicap with Sahm, owned by Shadwell.

“When I was first diagnosed in October of 1998 I went into a depression,” McLaughlin said. “I didn’t realize it at the time but I was depressed for 30 days. I didn’t want to get off the couch. Sahm won the Knickerbocker and I wasn’t there at the races.”

At that time, McLaughlin was splitting his time between Dubai and North America. By early December of 1998 he was back in Dubai and in February of 1999, he suffered a major setback when he developed blurred vision and needed a cane to walk.

For the last seven years, he has taken a daily injection of Copaxine, a class of drug called beta interferon, which inhibits certain white blood cells and in some studies has reduced the severity and number of multiple sclerosis attacks.

“I went on medication in June 1999 and since then I had no setbacks at all,” McLaughlin said “I feel very fortunate. I have MS, but I have it in my hip pocket.”

McLaughlin is a native of Lexington, Ky., and attended the University of Kentucky before working for trainers James Burchell and John Hennig, who would later become his father-in-law, David Kassen and Tim Muckler.

In 1985, McLaughlin started working for Lukas, where he worked closely with the multiple champion filly Open Mind, and stakes winners Slew City Slew and Dynaformer. In 1992, McLaughlin and his wife Letty, the sister of New York trainer Mark Hennig, wanted to settle down with their infant daughter. So, McLaughlin quit Lukas and began booking mounts for jockey Chris Antley, one of the more talented riders on the New York circuit.

But after 18 months, Antley fell out of favor with the top New York trainers and soon left for California. McLaughlin, through acquaintances such as Helen Alexander, Anthony Stroud and Rick Nichols, was offered a position in Dubai to work for Mohammed al Maktoum’s Godolphin Racing.

“I had 100 horses to train then later I ended up breaking 100 yearlings,” McLaughlin said. “I had a lot of good help, but I was overseeing 200 horses so I was just like a European trainer with a big yard.”

 McLaughlin quickly learned there many differences between training in Dubai and America. First and foremost was the fact that medication was prohibited in Dubai.

“That was an education,” McLaughlin said. “I remember I had a filly, one of the first runners I had that was absolutely a crazy filly. She threw herself down on the racetrack more than once. I said to the vet what can we do? We’ve got to do something to settle her nerves. He said you can’t do anything to medicate here. On the track in Dubai she was perfect. So you live and learn that medication is really overrated”.

McLaughlin said the anti-bleeding medication Lasix is not overrated. It is a medication he uses on most of his horses that race in North America. “Lasix is not overrated,” McLaughlin said. “But as medication goes a lot of people think you need Bute and anti-inflammatories, and this and that, and it was proved to me that you didn’t. But Lasix is an important performance-enhancing drug because I just feel like a lot of horses bleed. I wouldn’t take a horse to Dubai that is a bleeder.”

McLaughlin was the leading trainer at Nad al Sheba in Dubai three times: 1994-95; 1995-96, and 2002-03. Among the top horses McLaughlin trained during his time in Dubai were Dumaani, who won the $1.5 million, Group 2 Keio Hai Springs Cup in Japan and Key of Luck, who won the inaugural running of the Dubai Duty Free.

``Key of Luck was probably the best horse I trained,’’ McLaughlin said. ``He won the [Dubai] Duty free by 20 lengths the night Cigar won the World Cup.’’

While McLaughlin learned about medication, he helped bring about a few changes in Dubai racing. McLaughlin helped introduce outriders to Dubai.

“They were asking my opinion on improvements for there,’’ McLaughlin said. ``When I first went over there they didn’t have any outriders. My point was if a rider went down in a race you’d need to stop the race if it was once around. And they got outriders.’’

McLaughlin also introduced the concept of keeping assistant starters in the stall with the horses. ``The starting gate was a real interesting situation when I first got there,’’ McLaughlin said. ``The first horse I had that was meant to run went in and a horse next to him flipped. The rider stepped off my horse because he was acting up and they opened the doors and had a false start. My horse went loose and had to be scratched. I said to them back them out, but they didn’t have the personnel. They’d load them and duck under the front door so they were not in with them. So there were a lot of things to talk about; the starting gate was a big issue.’’

While McLaughlin said he enjoyed the lifestyle of Dubai, something he said was akin to Disney World, he and Letty wanted to raise their two children, daughter Erin, 15, and son Ryan, 12, in America.

``It was hard to leave, it was a great lifestyle for my wife and I having a maid and a cook; we were living like kings and queens,’’ McLaughlin said. ``We opted to come back to America and raise our kids in New York. That’s where our home is and we just felt like it was the right thing to do.’’

McLaughlin enjoyed success right away in 2003. Among his stable stars were the Irish-bred Volga, who won the Grade 1 E.P Taylor at Woodbine, and the South African-bred Trademark, who won the Bernard Baruch and Fourstardave, both Grade 2 events at Saratoga.

In 2004, McLaughlin won 84 races from 462 starters and his horses earned more than $5.5 million in purse money. He won multiple stakes with the likes of Seattle Fitz, Randaroo, and Bending Strings.

In 2005, McLaughlin won 60 races from 424 starters. In addition to saddling Closing Argument to a second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, McLaughlin also sent out Henny Hughes to a second-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile just three weeks after taking over the training of the horse.

In addition to training, McLaughlin has got involved with many of the off-the-track issues confronting racing. He is on the board of directors of the New York Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association, which is trying to get their voice heard on many issues confronting New York racing.

In New York, slot machines are on the horizon which should bring a significant increase to that state’s purse structure. There is also the issue of who will win the franchise to operate the three New York tracks: Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga. The New York Racing Association currently holds the franchise, but that is about to expire on Dec. 31, 2007.
 
``Sometimes in New York we get down that we don’t have slots and the purses aren’t where they could be. but the purses are damn good when you look around the country,’’ McLaughlin said. ``The slots would be just a huge raise for us and help us out and hopefully we get there sooner or later.’’

McLaughlin said he would prefer to remain training horses in North America for a long time. He did not, however, rule out returning to Dubai some day.
 

“Not if I’m doing as well as I’m doing now, I wouldn’t,’’ McLaughlin said. ``But I wouldn’t totally rule it out because it’s a great lifestyle. It’s just that if I’m doing well I would probably just stay here and make my lifestyle great here also.’’

TRM Trainer of the Quarter - Dermot Weld

The TRM Trainer of the Quarter goes to Dermot Weld for Grey Swallow's win in the Jim Murray Memorial Handicap.

James Crispe (European Trainer - Issue 14 / Summer 2006)

Are the six newly upgraded Group One races for fillies and mares in Europe worthy of their status?

Well that is too soon to say, but there is a significant difference between the newly upgraded “f&m” events and how other races that have earned Group One status over the years. The key word is “earned” of course, as a race cannot, under normal circumstances, be upgraded unless it has earned it through attracting high quality fields.

Still, the upgrading of six races to Group One in 2004, was triggered mainly by the wish to improve opportunities for fillies and mares. Such a factor would almost certainly not be allowed much emphasis in discussions concerning upgrading races for males. Ruth Quinn, racing director at the British Horseracing Board, said at the time: “I am delighted to be able to announce these considerable improvements to the race program for fillies and mares. We want to offer every encouragement to fillies to extend their racing careers in Britain”.

What Quinn was actually saying, between the lines, was that the BHB were anxious to stop the export of potentially high class broodmares to the US, where better purses and black type opportunities in Graded handicaps make it more viable to continue a filly’s racing career before retiring her to the paddocks. So, two years ago, Europe offered a greatly improved program for fillies and mares aged three and up, including these new Group One races: Falmouth Stakes 1 mile (England) Sun Chariot Stakes 1 mile (England) Matron Stakes 1 mile (England) Pretty Polly Stakes1 1/4 miles (Ireland) Prix d’Astarte 1600 metres (France) Premio Lydia Tesio 2000 metres (Italy) Interestingly, these six were also the only races upgraded to Group One status that year.

How far off having earned the status were some of these new championship “f&m” races? The two in England are perhaps the two strongest and, as it has been won by stars like Sonic Lady and Al Bahatri, many would argue that the Falmouth Stakes was long overdue its upgrading. But the year before being staged as a Group One for the first time it was won by Macadamia – who had won the Royal Hunt Cup off handicap mark 93 three weeks earlier. She was improving of course, and two starts later she ran second in another Group Two, the Sun Chariot Stakes. That day, she was chasing Echoes in Eternity – who had not even been given the mark 100 by the BHB handicapper for her Listed win at Yarmouth just over two weeks earlier.

At the time, many would argue that these were weak Group Two events. Twelve months later they both held Group One status, as the European Pattern program underwent some major changes: - 23 new Group races were introduced, 21 as Group 3 events and four as Group 2 events. - 17 of the 23 races were restricted to fillies and mares aged three and up (three were for juvenile fillies). - 17 Group races were upgraded. Six races went up to Group One status, ten races went up to G2 status and one race went up to G3 status. - 11 of the 17 races were restricted to fillies and mares aged three and up (two were for juvenile fillies). Excluding the juvenile races, no fewer than 28 of a total of 40 new / upgraded races were contests restricted to fillies or fillies and mares. It is also interesting to note that, despite having given 40 races an elevated status, the European Pattern Committee downgraded only six events.

The Pattern Book had either been, or become, imbalanced. After such a shake-up in 2004, it was no surprise when only minor changes were made prior to the 2005 season. Four races were upgraded and two races were downgraded that year, including the Prix Lupin (a previous Group One race which was withdrawn from the pattern to allow the French Derby to be run at 2100 metres). Over the two-year period, no other race was downgraded from Group One status.

Is the European Pattern Committee gambling when upgrading as many as six fillies & mare races to Group One with one throw of the dice? Not if enough owners decide to keep top class fillies in training. They are the ones taking the financial gamble and, as one is striving to see fillies that have already won in Group One company stay in training, purses play a crucial role. The lure of prize money must not only outweigh the lure of a sale of the filly, or a sale of her first yearling, it must also be big enough to over-shadow the risk factors involved in keeping a valuable filly in training. Funds were added, as the Falmouth and the Sun Chariot both jumped up from £58,000 to £116,000 in value when being upgraded. That was the financial reward as Attraction took the first Sun Chariot Stakes carrying Group One status. Two weeks later the mare Chorist picked up £81,576 for finishing second to Haafhd in the Champion Stakes (Gp1) – where she was the only female runner. She had earned just shy of £110,000 when beating her own sex in the Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) at the Curragh earlier in the season. Chorist’s second in the Champion probably enhanced her broodmare value more than what was the case for Attraction when she won the Sun Chariot. This simply because Attraction had already won three Group One races. When a filly with such an impressive CV stays in training, one has to say that the enhanced program has already given positive results.

Though what will the enhanced program achieve in the long run? Will it make more and more Group One winners stay in training, or will it simply create more (party sub-standard) Group One winners? The big breeding operations, with Juddmonte at the forefront, will never stop sending numerous fillies to continue their racing careers North America, and a filly like Attraction – owned by the Duke Of Roxburghe – would never be exported in any case. In the 2004 Sun Chariot, Attraction beat Chic and Nebraska Tornado, giving the race the look of a solid Group One. Last year’s edition was won by Peeress, who beat Sumitville and Musicanna. That was hardly a genuine Group One finish but it is too soon to assess the success or failure of the upgrading this event.

Overall, the new Group One races seem to have got off to an adequate start. The continuation is perhaps more important. Will they all be deserving continued Group One status in about five years’ time? And if not, how difficult will it be for the Pattern Committee to downgrade one or two of them? Such a move will probably very difficult. Racecourses, trainers, owners and breeders combine for rather a formidable pressure group, and they will all be interested in keeping these races at Group One status. Even if they should become numerically strong enough to be self-destructing quality-wise, producing below par championship races, and in turn produce below par Group One winning broodmares.

A total of 85 Group One races were staged in Europe last year. 19 of these were races restricted to fillies (for 3-year-olds or 3-year-olds plus). In other words, 22.35% of all Group One races are for the fairer sex only. These are races that give the girls protection from competition with males. It is easy to see how the decision to upgrade six such events was a major change. Nevertheless, fillies and mares who race exclusively in their own division are still not offered anything as big a slice of the cake as they are in USA. North American racing has long had a lucrative program for fillies and mares. The US racing circuit will be staging 104 Grade One races in 2006, of which 39 are restricted to fillies and mares (excluding those for juveniles). This means that 37.5% of all Grade One events are “f&m” races and, not surprisingly, a great number of female runners stay in training well past their 3-year-old season. What it also means, however, is that US trained fillies and mares are rarely seen competing with males at Grade One level.

This is a feature that has always played an excellent role on the vivid and colourful stage called European horseracing. The true championship races should always involve clashes of sexes, as well as clashes of generations. If the increase in upgrading of European Pattern races restricted to fillies of mares continues, clashes of sexes may well be a rarity. If not a thing of the past altogether. An ‘Arc’ or a ‘Jacques le Marois’ without a top filly involved would not be quite the same, would it? It would not be as competitive. Many will argue that this would be a small price to pay, in return for seeing more top older fillies in training over a period of two to three years.

Maybe so, but more Group One races will always mean more sub-standard Group One races. And increasing top level opportunities for fillies and mares will have a knock on effect also on some of the established Group One events open to both sexes. The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes are not likely to be vulnerable in the foreseeable future, though races like the Prix d’Ispahan, Sussex Stakes, Preis von Europa and Champion Stakes could easily lose some big players of the fairer sex. Many of them will be campaigned exclusively in “f&m” races. So, without throwing out an unnecessarily early opinion on these new developments, perhaps one can offer this (provisional) theory: Giving the filly & mare division significantly increased protection can have positive effects, but overdo it, and negative side-effects will be part of the bargain.

The European Horserace Scientific Liaison Committee

Anyone heard of it? No? EHSLC? Still no-one? Thought not. Neither its full nomenclature nor its clumsy acronym elicits anything approaching a visceral response amongst racing professionals. This does not sound a sexy topic for discussion or debate – those at the Racing Post would surely agree, given that mention of this body has popped out from between their covers just twice in the past four years. If, in a private moment of extreme narcissism, you have ever ‘Googled’ yourself, I can guarantee that, however insignificant you are, you will find more references in cyberspace to you and your namesakes than to EHSLC.

This is curious. Rightly, racing preoccupies itself with the notion of integrity: maintaining a veneer of absolute probity is understandably this or any sport’s ne plus ultra. While we’re counting, integrity issues have warranted no fewer than 926 RacingPost articles in the corresponding period, yet the collective whose purpose more than any other is to ensure horses perform on a level playing throughout the five major European racing nations field barely warrants more than a couple of lines. It strikes me that the organisation whose mission statement is to “harmonise technical doping control policies and procedures… [and] to engender cooperation between the member countries in research underlying the suppression of doping” likes to keep a low profile.

Fortunately, Trainer was able to track down Peter Webbon for assistance. Webbon is happily rather less of a shrinking violet (91 Post mentions, in case you are interested) and is also what is commonly referred to as a ‘key player’ at the EHSLC. Dubbed ‘The Enforcer’, Webbon is now one of the sport’s most powerful individuals. Currently the Jockey Club’s director of welfare and science, he will assume overall control of racing’s integrity remit in April when he becomes the first chief executive of the newly branded Horseracing Regulatory Authority. When the appointment was announced, Toby Balding declared: “He will be brilliant. He is a very informed and switched-on operator. He will be excellent at the job.” Webbon and outgoing Jockey Club head Christopher Foster have been among senior administrators from several racing jurisdictions across Europe to have collaborated with independent expert pharmacists, chief veterinary officers and analysts in driving forward the work of EHSLC.

“The organisation started in 1992 as a joint initiative between representatives of Great Britain, France and Ireland,” explains Webbon. “In 1997, or thereabouts, we brought Germany and Italy into the fold. In order to maximise our effectiveness, we tend to work not as one single body that meets from time to time, but rather in smaller groups and working parties that are able to put forward suggestions and scientific findings to the relevant governing administrators who are then able to execute policy decisions.”

Implicit is a welcome recognition that horses compete internationally on an increasingly regular basis and, thus, there is an obvious danger that misunderstanding and misapplication of medication when abroad can occur. By harmonising drug thresholds and releasing data on detection times, the theory goes that unfortunate disqualifications can be avoided. Within this, more nuanced disparities also need to be ironed out. Webbon cites Scandinavian racing’s absence from EHSLC: “Although fewer British trained horses run in Scandinavia, they do tend to compete in the bigger races on a more regular basis than was the case. In Sweden, for example, the regulations state that there is a specific period of time before a race when certain drugs may not be administered under any circumstances, irrespective of whether a test returns a positive result. Theoretically, the authorities can ask to see the medication records of any trainer and disqualify a horse that actually tested clean and which, under domestic regulation, would be a legal competitor. This is a situation that we are striving to eradicate in EHSLC countries.”

There are those who would argue a “when in Rome” policy – that it behoves the trainer to familiarise himself with foreign regulations. It is surely realistic nowadays, however, to expect a certain level of assistance from, and cooperation amongst, the governing bodies when time constraints impinge so heavily on the busiest yards. There is, after all, evidence enough to suggest that trainers already feel a sense of disenfranchisement when it comes to doping policy. Rupert Arnold, the experienced chief executive of the National Trainers’ Federation, has concerns over the manner in which policy changes precipitated by the work of EHSLC insinuate themselves into the rule book.

“The first key issue on testing,” says Arnold, “relates to the sensitivity of tests and whether procedures are changed. We feel we get very little feedback from the regulators unless we push hard for it. This comes to a head when a rash of positives presents itself, as was the case with clenbuterol last year when trainers were contacting us to say that they weren’t doing anything different.” Arnold advocates the introduction of something akin to the current American model in this respect. “In the United States,” he says, “Horsemen’s associations tend to agree to a testing protocol with their particular state regulators where everybody knows exactly where they stand. If modifications occur, the associations are consulted.

One EHSLC inspired initiative concerned changes to the Jockey Club’s C7 Code of Medication Practise. There were subtle, but significant, alterations into which we were allowed no input – the Jockey Club just went about their job.” According to Peter Webbon, EHSLC will release a lumpy pack of information to show the fruits of its labour over the last seven years that will coincide roughly with this publication - it is hoped that this goes some way to assuage Arnold’s worries. To do so, however, it must be clear, palatable and accessible; not a straightforward task given the complexity and volume of the material at hand. Such a release will gauge the productivity and the utility of EHSLC.

As Webbon concedes, however, measuring its success and efficacy is an almost impossible task as a security body is essentially only informed by its failures. Rather as British intelligence was lambasted for its failings in the aftermath of the London bombings, so a body such as this is only truly scrutinised when there is a spate of dope test failures or a single event that is in some way deemed newsworthy.

In order to be accorded any credit, it must release its own findings and seek to present a positive impression. Nobody hoists the bunting for MI5 when we all manage to travel home safely on any given day. It is here that we arrive at the interesting pragmatic reality of EHSLC. Certainly, its basis in science and the advancement of drug testing technology and harmonisation is sound, but where it is most potent is in its capacity to protect racing’s image and to manage our expectations. That is, to keep us feeling warm and fuzzy when dark thoughts of racing’s besmirched integrity invade the sport’s collective consciousness. Look no further here than the EPO ‘raids’ of January 2002.

Martin Pipe, Paul Nicholls, Venetia Williams, Len Lungo and Alan Jones were visited simultaneously early one morning – each and every horse was tested only for presence of the performance enhancer EPO, of which there had been extensive speculation at the time, and each test returned negative in double quick time. This was the first time such testing had been carried out without prior warning to the trainers involved and was presented as new policy enlightened by the collaborative power of EHSLC – Britain was merely aligning itself with pan-European policy whilst, according to Peter Webbon, “safeguarding the industry.” Incidentally, “no horse in Britain has ever tested positive for EPO.” I am not suggesting that such unannounced out-of-competition ambushes are bad per se – there are now about a dozen that take place quietly each year – nor positing that they do not act as some form of deterrent to would-be cheats.

This particular instance, however, was no more than an exercise on the Jockey Club’s part to allay fears of widespread drug abuse. To suggest that they attempted to keep this out of the public eye is folly – this was the whole point and was realpolitik at its most brazen, with its deliciously press friendly rhetoric of ‘dawn raids’ and so forth. EHSLC, of course, facilitates such exercises by providing a collegiate ‘research based’ backdrop to proceedings. This is simply how any government operates – the Jockey Club (or HRA) is New Labour and EHSLC is the European Commission, “moving to strengthen practical cooperation between member states,” with its working parties, delegations and information networks.

When asked whether he is confident that racing has actually been made tangibly cleaner, Webbon is far more the pragmatist than the utopian. “You would have to be very naïve,” he suggests, “to think that we will find every illicit drug out there, but there are new technologies that are sure to act as deterrents.”

The interesting development cited may indeed make some think twice, namely the storing of samples (rather in the manner of a DNA database) so as that new technologies may revisit these some years later with the potential for different results. While he recognises the difficulties that could ensue here – the disqualifications and reallocation of prize money, not to mention the overwhelming bloodstock implications – Webbon outlines the possibility that this could uncover systematic breaches of regulations if more than one re-tested sample from the same yard was to betray a concerted effort to flout the authorities.

This is ostensibly admirable, but to what extent is this appeasement? What would happen if a swathe of retested samples came up positive? Would the consequences for the sport be sufficiently cataclysmic for this to be brushed aside? These are suggestions that would, I have no doubt, be vigorously denied, but presentation of an untarnished sport is obviously crucial, particularly at a time of impending financial Armageddon for racing. And this is fundamentally why I question any overarching international racing body such as EHSLC.

Each member state, and particularly racing’s present Britain, is consumed by perfectly understandable self-interest – lofty visions of consensus and ideas-sharing are often undermined. In this case, it appears that suggestions are made, but individual administrators can use or ignore them at will. Why is it, for example that Italy, in common with America, regularly tests for ‘milkshakes’? (Excess drenched doses of bicarb to reduce fatigue in horses). While, in Great Britain, according to Peter Webbon, “a few of these tests for excess CO2 were carried out pre-race a few years ago, but we’ve got the kit in the lab if we want to use it.”

The current EHSLC press release regarding detection times is most welcome and is not before time. In addition, a desire to harmonise doping procedure is a commendable one. It is hard, however, to conceive of the EHSLC as a unified force for improving racing’s integrity. Rather, it is a useful management tool and adjunct to an increasingly well-oiled Public Relations mechanism.

Trainer’s Comment - Christian von der Recke

This summer the Football World Cup will take place in Germany. Teams from Africa may play teams from South America. It is unlikely they'll talk the same language and the games may well be refereed by Asians who speak neither French nor Spanish! But, they all know the rules they are playing by.

You see, wherever international football, rugby, cricket, basketball or golf (to name but a few sports) uniform rules of sport are in place. Not like racing! In 2005, I raced horses in no less than fifteen different nations. Hand on heart, I needed to memorise rules that differ from country to country. Horse Racing is now a global business, it really needs to adopt an international rule book, thought out properly by professionals so that wherever we race we are racing under the guidelines of the same rulebook.

The European All Weather Series is a great idea and offers owners and trainers the opportunity to race for a valuable pot of money from February to May. However, through no fault of the courses that are running the series, the whole concept of bringing together the European All Weather nations is nearly halted by the varying rules from country to country.

Lets try and run a "mythical" horse in each of the races. Here are just a few of the problems we might face:

France

We enter the horse to run on the date given for entry deadlines. But, wait for it, the horse entry is voided because we didn't enter the horse eight days earlier than stated. The horse we entered is not based in France! So, we enter at the forfeit stage and now have to pay a premium to run. On raceday it is only by chance, we find out that we have to declare the horse to run. We declare the horse to run and with earplugs.

Germany

We make it into the parade ring where we are told that we are not allowed to run with cotton wool earplugs. The stewards are also not going to let us run as the horse has no hind shoes on. We are scratching our heads - this wasn't even an issue in France! England Like France we remember to declare the horse on raceday. But, we didn't have to do this in Germany! The horse runs without hind shoes and no one has asked anyway.

Italy

We present the necessary customs health papers at the border and are allowed into the country. Nothing unusual about this, the papers are needed whenever you ship horses into a country outside your home country. Our papers get lost between the border and racecourse but we aren’t concerned, as they were only for border officials when we travelled in France or England. On arrival at the course we aren't allowed into the stable area as we can't find the customs health papers. Why does the racecourse need them? They were only valid at customs and have nothing to do with the racecourse!

Sweden

We win the race! However our celebrations are short lived as the jockey used his whip inside the final furlong! This is not allowed in Sweden.

Now as I've said this is purely a "mythical" situation but it does show how diverse the rulebook is across Europe. I'm sure that any trainer who races overseas will sympathise with the idiosyncrasies I've highlighted. But how do we go about getting an international rulebook set up?

Under the auspices of which authority would this be introduced? Should racing have a world governing body, just like in other major sports? Perhaps the answer is staring us in the face! Each October the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities meet in Paris. Their website states that one of the main objectives of the federation is to coordinate and harmonize the rules of the member-countries regarding breeding, racing & wagering.

As trainers, we should lobby our own country representatives to help bring about the harmonization. We must have voice heard and it’s obvious that the governing organisations need to ask our opinion on such an important matter.

The role of protein in the racehorse's diet

Dietary protein is probably one of the most talked about elements of a racehorses’ diet, which is unfortunately ill deserved. Whilst the level of protein in the diet is important for tissue growth and repair, it is probably the least important source of energy to the athletic horse when compared to starch, fibre and oil. Protein has received a lot of ‘bad press’ in racing in the past, with both inadequate and excess intake being used to explain poor performance.

Excessive protein in the diet has also been blamed for racehorse excitability and even for conditions such as itchy or bumpy skin (urticaria) and tying up. More recent evidence suggests that protein per se is unlikely to be the major culprit in these situations. However, far from being undesirable, protein is an essential part of a horse's diet, as it provides the building blocks needed for tissue growth and repair and also for the synthesis of many important body chemicals such as enzymes and hormones. These building blocks are known as amino acids and each protein source used in horse feed has a characteristic amino acid makeup or profile. Look for quality and not just quantity Protein is digested primarily in the horse’s small intestine by the action of digestive enzymes; however, a varying proportion of the protein in feed may escape digestion in the small intestine and reach the hindgut, where it is fermented by the resident microflora. Although this latter method of breakdown can be beneficial to the hindgut microflora, the resultant amino acids released are generally not absorbed and so are unavailable for use by the horse. So the horse relies on dietary protein being digested in the small intestine, as far as possible, to provide a useable source of amino acids. Proteins from different sources are digested here to a greater or lesser extent, with the protein from cereals (oats, maize) and oilseeds and pulses (soya, linseed), generally being more digestible in the small intestine than that from forages.

In exception to this, the protein digestibility of alfalfa is relatively high compared to other conserved forages such as hay or haylage. Horses can synthesize some amino acids in the body, whilst others must be supplied in the diet and are known as the essential amino acids. The quality of a protein source is measured by not only its ability to be digested in the small intestine, but also by how much of these essential amino acids, in particular lysine that it provides (see table below). Commonly used protein sources for horses Protein Source Total Protein (%) Lysine (%) Soybean meal 55 3.0 Oats 12 0.5 Alfalfa 15 0.6 Hay 7.0 0.1 Inclusion of a proportion of a very high quality protein source such as soya, either within the existing racehorse mix or cube or as part of a high protein feed used to top-dress the diet is an advantage. How much protein is enough? An average mature horse in full work needs about 1.5 times the amount of protein per day compared to the equivalent requirement for the same horse in light work. Yearlings and two year olds have a slightly higher protein requirement compared to there mature counterparts, in the early stages of training when in light work. However, once their workload has increased, this extra protein requirement is more than covered by the increased requirements for hard work in itself. The bottom line for young horses coming into work is that the feed chosen for this stage of training needs to be considered carefully and ideally, whilst being relatively low in energy should have a slightly higher protein content compared to an ordinary low energy feed.

Many of the ‘recovery’ type products are suitable for this purpose or alternatively addition of a small quantity of a high protein supplement feed can suffice. As far as horses in harder work are concerned, their increased requirement for protein would easily be met by the increase in quantity of feed used in the transition from light training to hard work, irrespective of age. So providing that you are using decent quality hay or haylage and a feed designed for hard work or racing, the issue of inadequate levels of protein in the diet should not arise. It is always worth having batches of hay or haylage analyzed to ensure that amongst other things the protein level is not outrageously low or equally excessively high. In reality, there are probably far more racehorses being overfed protein and underfeeding is only likely to occur when forage is being used that is particularly stemmy and mature and has a related very low protein level. In contrast, excessive protein intake in the diet is likely to be more prevalent and some of the potential consequences are discussed below.

Ammonia and dehydration are two issues with excess protein intake One of the main issues with overdoing protein intake is the effect that it can have on both hydration status and respiratory function. If a horse is fed above and beyond its requirements for protein, the excess amino acids produced from its digestion will be re-processed by the liver and the nitrogen containing part, which is toxic, must then be converted to harmless urea, which is then eliminated in the urine and faeces. However, unfortunately no matter how meticulously clean a racehorse’s bed is kept, bacteria present will soon start to breakdown the urea to produce ammonia, which has a characteristic pungent smell and has consequences for the health of both horses and their lads or lasses respectively. When ammonia combines with water in body tissues it can become extremely irritating and harmful to the eyes, sinuses and respiratory system.

In humans short-term exposure to high levels of ammonia can cause upper and lower respiratory tract irritation and oedema, and over the long-term can contribute to chronic bronchitis and may exacerbate other lung diseases including asthma. In horses, ammonia restricts the movement of cilia (brush-like hairs) in the airways that filter out harmful dust particles, and its corrosive action causes inflammation and a build up of mucous. Independent consultant and respiratory expert Dr David Marlin warns that excessive ammonia inhalation in horses could cause irritation of the respiratory tract and exaccerbate other pre-existing conditions such as is recurrent airway obstruction RAO (formerly known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, heaves) or inflammatory airway disease (IAD).

In addition to the ammonia issue, overfeeding protein can often result in horses drinking more and urinating excessively. This not only leads to wet beds, but can contribute to dehydration in horses. It is widely accepted that dehydration is a major factor in reduced exercise performance for horses involved in fast exercise. Too much or too little? A potential sign of a large surplus of protein in the diet is a horse that is drinking to excess and that has a wet smelly bed. Using blood results to assess protein status is not unfortunately as straight forward as simply looking at the level of plasma total protein. Plasma total protein for a horse in training is likely to fall between 53-67g/l. However, there are many factors, which influence this result in addition to the level of protein in the diet and therefore a high or low plasma total protein is not exclusively indicative of inadequate or excess protein in the diet. A more useful measurement may be the ratio of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) to creatinine, with values under and over the normal range being related to inadequate or excess dietary protein intake, respectively.

Another approach is obviously to have the ration checked by an experienced nutritionist, although, this would obviously require analysis of the forage and feeds, especially where straight feeds are used. Whilst excessive protein intake potentially can have a negative impact on horses in training, quite often the protein content of the diet is maligned without justifiable cause as discussed below. Is a high protein diet implicated in tying up? An excess protein intake was historically blamed for episodes of Azoturia or ‘tying up’ in racehorses. This is largely unfounded, as although the exact triggers for tying up are not fully understood, there are a number of other dietary related factors, which exclude protein, that have been implicated in its occurrence.

Tying up is more commonly associated with high-energy diets, where a large part of that energy is supplied in the form of hydrolysable carbohydrates (starch and sugars). In addition macro and micro mineral availability and balance (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and selenium), electrolyte supply (sodium, potassium and chloride) and antioxidant provision (vitamin E), as well as other factors such as stress and excitable behaviour are more likely to be relevant. Hives, protein bumps, urticaria – too much protein?

Once again, the general consensus in racing is that the skin disorders often describes as hives, protein bumps or urticaria are simply due to too much protein being fed. However, veterinary research would counter this, as leading dermatologists suggest that feed allergies, although they can occur, are much more rare than is commonly accepted. Certainly, where feed is implicated in the development of these skin disorders it is much more likely to be due to a sensitivity to a particular source of protein such as barley or wheat, rather than simply a general excess. Before feed is implicated, however, other more likely causative factors such as cereal or forage mites, washing powder, fungal skin or other general infections should also be discounted.

Where sensitivity to a particular protein source is seriously suspected, an exclusion diet can be used to identify the source of the problem. This involves feeding forage only for a period of time until the bumps have disappeared and then slowly re-introducing elements of the concentrate feed in an attempt to isolate the culprit. Much of the confusion surrounding protein in my opinion is due to the relationship between the energy content of a feed (DE MJ/kg) and the protein content (%). In general terms, as you move upwards through the portfolio of feed ingredients and compound feeds, as energy content per kilogram increases, so does the protein content of the feed in percentage terms. This is not because protein is a major energy source, but simply because the higher energy ingredients tend to have a higher protein content naturally. This causes much confusion and as more and more feed companies now declare the energy content of their feeds on their packaging or in their literature, there needs to be a move towards choosing feed by energy level and not percentage protein.

Paul Nolan - from complete beginner to leading National Hunt trainer in 10 years

It is at times assumed that a background in horses is almost essential for anyone to succeed at training but one individual that is certainly putting paid to such preconceived notions is Paul Nolan.

Nolan (37) is now firmly established as one of the leading National Hunt trainers in Ireland and his rise through the ranks has been nothing short of remarkable when one hears that a decade ago his experience with horses was minimal at best. From Enniscorthy in Wexford in the south eastern corner of Ireland, Nolan hails from an agricultural tradition. 

“I came from a completely agricultural background. The family had 150 acres and were sheep and tillage farmers. I was involved in farming myself but I might as well have been picking blackberries. Farming was a total waste of time, it was completely non-profitable. There was no way that my parents could make a living off it and that I would be able to rear a family off it as well,” he reflects.

For one that lacked a traditional grounding in racing, Nolan has certainly made up for that over the last eight years and has managed to make his name in the hugely competitive amphitheatre of Irish National Hunt racing. In winter when racing is down to three or (at most) four fixtures a week, the standard at even the most ordinary of race meetings can be very high and it is in this environment that Nolan has had to make his mark.

It was about ten years ago that his thoughts began to turn away from farming but things could have turned out very differently for him. “I was very nearly going to go to Australia but it was the love of hurling (one of Ireland’s national sports and one where Nolan represented his county with distinction at the highest level) and the fact that I don’t like straying far from home which kept me here”.

Having taken the decision to stay at home, he then decided to put an interest and liking for horses to practical use. A six month spell with vet Tom O’Shea and a year with top trainer Jim Bolger gave Nolan the experience to set out on his own. Despite starting from humble origins, his talents didn’t take long to elevate him to the forefront of the Irish jumping scene.

“When I came home we started out with two point-to-pointers. I was charging only a minimal amount and the owners were supplying the oats but both horses won for us. Then we moved up to ten and now we have between 60 and 70 in training,” he says. 

It is almost exactly eight years ago that Nolan sent out his first winner on the track. The horse in question was Nibalda, a Kambalda gelding that cost Ir2,300gns and obliged in a two-and-a-half mile Leopardstown maiden hurdle. 

“Nibalda wasn’t expensive but horses don’t know what they cost and I certainly wouldn’t turn away a horse on account of what they cost”.

In fact, Nolan’s preference for buying horses is to see that the relevant individual has a good front leg: “The front leg and the shape of it is very important. I don’t like jumpers being back of the knee, you’ve got trouble keeping them sound and they don’t last as long as other horses. You like a horse to walk well but the front legs are so important. They are the wheels and ninety percent of horses lose time on the track if they are not right”. 

After Nibalda’s success, Nolan continued to do well with inexpensively bought horses but his success over the last four seasons has enabled him to train a better standard of horse and thus compete at a higher level. It is by now a regular occurrence to see his representatives make more of an impact in the country’s top jumping races. 

To have one’s first winner at a track like Leopardstown is a significant boost for anyone’s career but the victory that has been the cornerstone for much of Nolan’s success was that of Say Again in the 2002 Galway Hurdle. 

The week long Galway festival is undoubtedly one the most important weeks in the year in the domestic racing calendar and indeed Galway Hurdle day regularly attracts the biggest crowd of the year to a racing fixture in Ireland. Nolan could not have picked a better stage for one of the biggest winners of his career and it was after this success the size of his string began to increase significantly towards what it is today.  

Say Again, Cloone River and Accordion Etoile are three of the best horses Nolan has trained and all three are traditional National Hunt types. Their trainer has also done well with useful ex-flat recruits but it is the jumping bred horses that have provided him with much of his success. “They stay more honest to the game for longer,” remarks the Wexford-based handler.

However, Nolan notes the mindset of many owners coming into racing is now making life that bit more difficult for National Hunt-bred horses as the emphasis has shifted on to producing results as quickly as possible.

“National Hunt horses are being broken earlier to be that bit more forward and patience is hard to come by as people want answers as soon as possible. You are better off telling owners that their horse isn’t going to run for a year because it is so backward rather than building up people’s hopes and then trying to explain where things went wrong”.

A feature of Nolan’s successes has been the involvement of his family and his brother James serves as assistant trainer: “He’s a key man. He’s great to work and loves his job. My father plays a very important role and I can’t say enough about Brendan my head man. He’s been with me since the start and is top class”.

Ask the trainer about what he thinks are the most important aspects of training racehorses and the response is instantaneous – health and fitness. The brittle nature of the thoroughbred and the ephemeral nature of racehorse training are already well documented and they are perhaps no more evident than during the winter months of the national hunt season.

“It’s so hard to keep a horse right and keep him fit. It terms of their health, the time I spent working with a vet was certainly help but you have to try and keep them sound as well. Flat trainers do very little different to jumping trainers but the National Hunt is much harder on their bodies and limbs. I also think it is very important to keep them in the right frame of mind,” he comments.

As personable, amiable and helpful an individual as one could ever meet, Paul Nolan has done exceptionally well to make his way to prominence in the National Hunt world. Interestingly when asked as to what was the most difficult aspect of embarking on a career as a racehorse trainer he comes up with a very refreshing response.

“The worry of failure and not doing well. People said that we were crazy and that we didn’t know what we were getting into. Thankfully luck was on our side and we are now making a living out of it and hopefully we will continue to be able to do so”.

Similarly, when asked about his ambitions for the future the trainer adopts the understated approach that has been the hallmark of his career and has brought him to where he is now: “If I could keep in the top ten trainers in the country I’d be happy”.

Conventional wisdom and traditional beliefs dictated that somebody like Paul Nolan would struggle to make an impact but his talents have shone through to make him one of Ireland’s brightest training recruits. Big races and high profile successes, such as that of Dabiroun at last year’s Cheltenham festival, have already come his way and his is a name that we will be hearing much more of in years to come.

International news round up - stories from the world of racing

Kempton Park will become England’s fourth “all weather” venue when racing returns to the right-handed Sunbury oval on Saturday March 25th. Over £18.8 million has been spent on converting the track to a floodlit facility, which will also continue to stage National Hunt racing.

Money has been spent on upgrading stabling and on a new sampling and veterinary unit, which will offer some of the best treatment facilities available.

The flat turf course has been replaced with a Polytrack, which will race similar to the surface installed at nearby Lingfield Park. Kempton will stage a new mile series which will culminate in a £100,000 final in early September. The two group three and five listed races which were staged on the old turf course will all be run on the new surface.

At Lingfield Park two group three races will be run on the Polytrack surface this year. The Winter Derby in March (upgraded from Listed) and the Silver Trophy in June. A new Listed Race (River Eden Stakes) will join the Fluer de Lys Stakes (Listed) to be run on the Polytrack surface on October 21st.

Redcar break new ground this spring and will stage the first big turf handicap, the William Hill Lincoln – transferred from Doncaster, which is closed for redevelopment. This summer, they will stage a new £50,000 mid-summer sprint. The Class 2 event, restricted to three-year-olds, will be staged on Sunday, July 23rd and follows the other major summer races for second season sprinters at York in June and Newmarket’s July festival.

The totepool Two-Year-Old Trophy in the autumn will be worth in excess of £200,000.

Winters in Norway are often harsh and the 2006 one has been no exception. However, trainers at Ovrevoll racecourse have been able to keep their horses in full training throughout the winter as the dirt track was renewed last autumn. The new track is sand based and is regularly salted and harrowed through the night. Temperatures have dipped as low as minus 20c but the track has been in full use by first light.

Figures released by Horse Racing Ireland at the end of 2005 showed an increase in on course betting and Tote turnover. As a result, prize money is expecting to rise to roughly €56 million during 2006.

The Turf Club have revealed that retired Supreme Court judge, Mr Justice Ronan Keane, and former Attorney General, Eoghan Fitzsimons SC, are to head a new appeals body for Irish racing. The appeals body began on February 1st and will rule on matters such as; doping offences, jockey suspensions and careless riding.

In France Pari Mutuel Urbain (the tote operator PMU) saw a 6% rise in revenue in 2005 to €8 billion from €7.4 billion in 2004. The 2005 figure beat a forecast gain of 5% and marked a 30% increase over the last four years. The PMU is the largest off track betting operator in Europe and has recently signed a deal with Ladbrokes to take promote French racing throughout the UK. Much of the increase in revenue can be attributed to legal internet gambling which produced €250 million sales in 2005.

In Italy, unlicensed offshore internet gambling was effectively outlawed at the end of February with the Italian government enforcing a law that will oblige internet providers to block access to unlicensed betting operators. The ban will be welcomed by many in the Italian racing industry as it will force overseas operators to be licensed and pay a percentage of revenue back to the state betting operator, which will undoubtedly increase prize money.

The Cyprus parliament is waiting for a new bill to be presented this spring, which deals with taxation on horseracing and electronic bets. Whilst the exact content of the bill has yet to be realised, it is expected to contain reference to a remodelling of betting laws along the lines of the British fixed odds betting. The concern for the industry is that if a move away from pool betting is accepted, it will have a detrimental effect on prize money.

American racecourses have announced a raft of enhancements to their stakes schedules this year, which will be of interest to European trainers. Notable revisions include the increase in purses at Colonial Downs where their two feature turf races, The Colonial Turf Cup and The Virginia Derby (Gr. II) have both had their purses increased to $1m. The races form the first two legs of the $5m Jacobs Investments Grand Slam of Grass, a four-race series for three-year-olds on the turf. Hollywood Park have added the CashCall Mile (Gr. III), formerly run as the Royal Heroine Stakes, for fillies and mares, 3-years and up, and will be run on Saturday, July 1. The American Oaks (Gr. I), at 1 1/4 miles, is scheduled for Sunday, July 2. Both races are invitational turf events and will each carry $750,000 purses. At Calder Racecourse in Florida, the inaugural running of the Bob Umphrey Turf Marathon will take place on July 22nd. The two mile event will carry a purse of $250,000 and will be the longest flat stakes race run in North America this year. The race is named in honour of the former racing secretary who died in early January. Calder will also stage two five furlong $250,000 ungraded stakes races on August 5th. Track executives are keen to encourage international participation for all their key races this year and will soon be announcing travel incentives for horses who fly direct to Miami International Airport where new quarantine facilities are now in place.