News from Washington Thoroughbred Breeders & Owners Association

The incidence of fatality in two-year-olds for the one-year period was significantly lower than that of older horses, three years of age and up;
The incidence of fatality in fillies, mares and geldings for the one-year period was significantly lower than that of intact males ;
The incidence of fatality for the one-year period was not significantly different for horses racing at different distances or carrying different weights; and
The incidence of fatality for the one-year period was not significantly different for dirt, synthetic and turf racing surfaces, or condition of the dirt and turf racing surfaces.

  "This preliminary analysis just scratches the surface," said Parkin, who serves as a consultant on the Equine Injury Database. "As the number of starts recorded in the database continues to grow, more complex statistical analyses can focus upon multiple variables studied in concert to better understand the myriad of factors which may contribute to fatal and non-fatal injuries. In addition, differences that may not have achieved statistical significance after one year of data collection may do so with additional observations recorded in the database."
   "The work presented today represents a starting point, not a destination," said Dr. Mary Scollay, equine medical director for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and a consultant on the Equine Injury Database. "This begins to answer the question of what is happening. The 'how' and 'why' remain to be determined."
A list of racetracks participating in the Equine Injury Database can be found at jockeyclub.com/initiatives.asp.
The summit concluded with the development of objectives in four areas and a discussion of implementation strategies to improve conditions in various facets of the Thoroughbred industry.
   The four areas were racing equipment and safety; racetrack environment and training practices; education, licensing and continuing education; and transitioning Thoroughbreds to second careers. Among the primary objectives identified were:

Establishment of a rider injury database to collect data and develop practices that will reduce injuries;
Creation of a track liaison position at each racetrack to coordinate aftercare of retired racehorses;
Formalization of reciprocity of veterinarians', stewards' and starters' lists on a national basis;
Implementation of advanced safety equipment, including starting gates and safety rails, on a phased basis, depending on data;
Development of a comprehensive database of track maintenance, training and veterinary records that could be integrated with existing databases pertaining to human and equine safety;
Creation of veterinary guidelines, in conjunction with the American Association of Equine Practitioners, to determine potential and appropriate second careers for racehorses based on physical condition; and
Establishment of a mechanism to encourage continuing education for people working with Thoroughbreds, including trainers, grooms, farriers and jockeys, to improve horsemanship and as a means to accreditation.

Breeders' Cup Offers Early Foal Nominators $100 Discount

In response to the overwhelming popularity among horsemen from last year, the Breeders' Cup will again offer a $100 discount off the standard $500 nomination fee for all foals nominated electronically by the close of business August, 2010, to the Breeders' Cup program.
Early 2010 foal nomination is available on the Breeders' Cup website at breederscup.com. Early foal nomination may also be transacted by calling (800) RACE CUP.
In 2009, Thoroughbred breeders worldwide saved over $1 million and nominated a record 10,241 foals to the Breeders' Cup program before August 1 as part of the inaugural incentive program. The 20 percent discount incentive resulted in an almost 200 percent increase in foals nominated to the program by the early deadline. The previous high was 3,500 in 2008.
"As part of this program we want to encourage electronic nominations, which are far more efficient and economical for both the nominators and the organization," said Greg Avioli, president and CEO of Breeders' Cup Ltd.
All foals sired by a fully-nominated Breeders' Cup stallion, European Breeders' Fund stallion or BCL/EBF Common Fund stallion are eligible for nomination to the Breeders' Cup program in their year of birth. The standard $500 foal nomination, for those choosing not to nominate on-line, will remain in effect, with a deadline of Midnight (ET), October 15. Late foal nominations may be made until Midnight (ET), December 15 of the year of birth by payment of a one-time $1,500 nomination fee.
A Breeders' Cup-nominated foal is eligible to participate and earn full purses in the Breeders' Cup World Championships races and in any Breeders' Cup funded race program for its entire racing career without any further nomination payments due.
The Breeders' Cup foal nomination program began in 1983 with a standard $500 per foal fee. The standard fee has never been increased since its inception. The late nomination fee of $1,500 per foal by December 15 was introduced in 2004.

NTRA Foal Fund

For the second year, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and The Jockey Club have teamed together so that owners and breeders who register their horses through The Jockey Club's interactive registration will have the opportunity to make a voluntary contribution to the NTRA's Foal Fund for federal lobbying on behalf of the Thoroughbred industry. For more information go to thefoalfund.com.

In Memoriam

David Nelson
David Louis Nelson was born July 14, 1942 in Oakesdale, Washington, and passed away May 22,, 2010 at his home in Calera, Oklahoma.
Dave grew up in Coulee City and then served four years in the Marines. He loved working with animals. He managed several cattle and Thoroughbred ranches and was a long time employee of Playfair Race Course.
After retiring, Dave moved to Rose Lake, Idaho, and was very active in the agility dog training circuit.
He is survived by his wife Sharon, and his children Ronda Moore, Jeff Nelson, Amanda Nelson and Chris Nelson and a family of grandchildren, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins.
A memorial picnic will be held at the City Park in Rockford, Washington, on Saturday, July 17, 2010, at 1 pm.