European Trainer - Winter 2012 - Issue 40

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RELATIVE VALUESFrancis and Lisa-Jane Graffard

NEWMARKET EQUINE HOSPITALInside Europe’s largest facility

ROARERSThe latest on diagnosis and treatment

THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FOR THE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE THOROUGHBRED

www.europe.trainermagazine.comEuropean ISSUE 40 – WINTER 2012 £5.95

JOSEPH VÁNA

A living legend of theVelka Pardubicka

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ISSUE 40 OUTSIDE COVERS2b_Layout 1 30/11/2012 15:20 Page 1

GILESANDERSON

HIS year we’ve yet again been blessed to witness the wonder horse that is Frankel and share in thepleasure that he has given the racing world at large andwill have undoubtedly given his brave trainer SirHenry Cecil. It’s only right and fitting that for this issueof the magazine, we make Sir Henry our “TRM Trainer

of the Quarter.”Our cover profile is on Joseph Váña, who will forever be

known as the legendary trainer and jockey associated with theVelka Pardubicka, one of the world’s most testing races. Váña hasexperienced success in the race on no less than nine times as atrainer. If that’s not enough, he has won the race eight times as ajockey in a riding career that has lasted for more than 25 years.His latest Velka Pardubicka ride came this October, a weekbefore his 60th birthday, when he finished third. Someperformance!

In this issue we also look at a young trainer, Francis Graffard,who perhaps may be a legend of the future but in any instancehas made a big start to his training career this year, saddling overtwenty winners and banking more than €500,000 in the processfor his owners.

Emma Berry has spent time this summer observing the work carried out by the vets at the Newmarket Equine Hospitalwhere many equine legends will have been under the care and supervision of the vets and nursing team. The work carried out by the veterinary team is fascinating and so varied,and I suppose that it’s only when you can see firsthand the rangeof procedures that are performed that you can truly get a handleon what is achieved. Emma’s article makes for interestingreading.

In this issue we’re also taking a look at respiratory issues andwriting up the latest research and work that has been carried outon roarers as well as on how mucus and airborne particles canaffect horses’ performance.

We also look at high altitude training in South Africa andshare tips for getting horses back racing via a technique called“Structural Integration.” We finish off with an article on branmashes – are they simply part of the feeding tradition or anutritional pariah?

Wherever your racing takes you this winter, good luck! Ournext issue will be published for the end of February, 2013. n

ISSUE 40 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com 01

TLegends of the Turf

GILES INTRO ISSUE 40_Jerkins feature.qxd 30/11/2012 15:28 Page 2

02 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com ISSUE 40

Chairman’s message

CRIQUETTEHEAD

Once again the year has flownby and we have seen some

wonderful racing both on theFlat and over jumps

of their champion. That race would, or could,have been a truly historic event.

On a more worrying note, it now looksinevitable that the VAT rate for racehorseowners in France will rise from 7% to 19.6%in the new year. This represents a real blow forFrench racing, as it is for the other racingjurisdictions affected as European lawdemands conformity across the continent.More than 80% of owners in France are notVAT registered and do not wish to become sowhich is perfectly within their rights.However they will now see a significant rise incosts and this will inevitably mean that someowners will disappear. Indeed, in France oneof the leading jumps owners has recently leftthe sport in part for this reason. It is nowmore important than ever to promote racingto attract new supporters across the board.

The concept of a “closed season” no longerreally exists in racing but I hope that my flat-racing contemporaries will be able to takesome well-earned rest over the winter, and Iwish the best of luck to all jumps trainers inthe important rendezvous of the next fewmonths.

I hope that 2013 will be a good year forracing. n

“It is worth noting that if the synthetic track had still been in place,the connections ofFrankel may well havechosen the Breeders’ CupClassic for the final outing of their champion”

the return of a dirt surface at Santa Anita is amove in the opposite direction. When theracecourse last hosted the Breeders’ Cup in2008 and 2009, the competition truly livedup to its billing as the World ThoroughbredChampionships. It is never easy to please allparties, but it is worth noting that if thesynthetic track had still been in place, theconnections of Frankel may well have chosenthe Breeders’ Cup Classic for the final outing

012 will be remembered as theyear of Frankel, possibly thebest horse of all time. It isimpossible to compare horsesfrom different eras and overdifferent distances, but he is the

horse who has impressed me the most inmy lifetime.

I was delighted to attend the Breeders’ Cupat Santa Anita in November, for the fist time inseveral years. It is always a pleasure to traveland experience international race meetings,and extremely positive to see the Americanstaking a first important step towards drug-freeracing with Lasix banned in all juvenilecontests at this year’s Breeders’ Cup. Thereremains a long way to go in the fight againstmedication but it is encouraging to see that atleast some influential members of the USAindustry are willing to make a stand on thisissue which is vital for the future of racing andbreeding.

It is perhaps no coincidence that the soletwo European winners of the meeting came inJuvenile contests!

While medication-free contests level theplaying field between Europe and the USA,

2


Issue 40

CONTENTS...10 TRM Trainer of the quarter

Sir Henry Cecil, trainer of the world’s greatest racehorse, Frankel, by Emma Webb.

12 Joseph VánaPetr Guth profiles the Czech Republic’s leading trainer, who has won the Velka Pardubicka a record 17 times as jockey and/or trainer.

20 Newmarket Equine HospitalEmma Berry on the inner workings of Europe’s largest equine hospital.

30 Structural integrationStructural Integration as a method of getting quicker recovery time from racehorses, by Monica McKenzie.

34 High altitude traingDavid Thiselton looks into the influence of altitude training in South Africa and how it could be useful in other countries.

40 Stable dustCelia Marr examines the performance-damaging link between airborne particles and mucus in stabled horses.

46 The GraffardsThe relative values of Francis and Lisa-Jane Graffard, by Isabel Mathew.

52 RoaringThe latest news in diagnosing and treating roaring, by Stacey Oke.

56 Bran mashesAre traditional bran mashes good for our racehorses?, wonders Catherine Dunnett.

58 Product Focus62 Stakes Schedules

Forthcoming stakes races from Europe and around the world.

Contents issue 40_Jerkins feature.qxd 30/11/2012 15:34 Page 1

Contents issue 40_Jerkins feature.qxd 30/11/2012 15:34 Page 2

Emma Berry is the BloodstockEditor of Thoroughbred Owner &Breeder and Europeancorrespondent for Inside Racingin Austalia. She is married totrainer John Berry and lives in Newmarket with too many

horses, dogs and cats.

Dr Catherine Dunnett BSc,PhD, R.Nutr. is an independentnutritionist registered with theBritish Nutrition Society. She hasa background in equineresearch, in the field of nutritionand exercise physiology, with

many years spent at The Animal Health Trust inNewmarket. Prior to setting up her ownconsultancy business, she worked in the equinefeed industry on product development andtechnical marketing.

Petr Guth has a degree inEconomics from the University ofPrague. He has been a staffwriter for the Czech nationaldailies telegraf and sport and awriter for Turf magazine and theequestrian magazine Jezdectvi.

He is the editor of Paddock Revue, a magazine heco founded in 2004. It is now the most popularracing website in central Europe.

Professor Celia Marr is anequine clinician at Rossdales,Newmarket. She is a RCVS andEuropean Specialist in EquineMedicine and HonoraryProfessor at the GlasgowUniversity Veterinary School. She

has previously worked at veterinary schools inGlasgow, Pennsylvania, Cambridge and Londonand in racehorse practice in Lambourn. She isChairman of the Horserace Betting Levy Board’sThoroughbred Research & Consultation Group andEditor-in-Chief of Equine Veterinary Journal.

Isabel Mathew is a freelancejournalist based in Paris. Sheworks for several differentpublications covering subjectsrelated to the FrenchHorseracing Industry andelsewhere. After graduating

from the Darley Flying Start and working in racingacross many different countries, she has been inFrance for nearly two and a half years.

Monica McKenzie has been anIntensive Care Nurse since 1985.For the past 22 years her mainfocus has been holistic health carefor horses. She is an EquineStructural Integration Practitionerworking with thoroughbred

racehorses. She is currently practicing in Lexington,Kentucky.

Dr. Stacey Oke is a licensedveterinarian and freelancemedical writer and editor. Inaddition to writing for varioushorse publications, she alsocontributes to scientific journals,is an editor of an internationally-

recognized, peer-reviewed journal, createscontinuing education materials for both human andveterinary medicine, and conducts biomedicalresearch studies.

David Thiselton is the chiefracing writer for Gold CirclePublishing, who are contracted toproduce all of the racing pages forthe Independent NewspaperGroup in South Africa includingeight broadsheets.

Publisher & Editorial Director

Giles Anderson

Assistant Editor

Frances Karon

Executive Assistant

Alice Jefford

Design/Production

Neil Randon

Advertising Sales

Giles Anderson

Photo Credits

APRH, Emma Berry, Golden Circle, Bob

Langrish, Celia Marr, Isabel Mathew,

Monica McKenzie, Robin Peterson, Leo

Sentaro, Frank Sorge

Cover PhotographPetr Guth

Trainer Magazine is published by Anderson & Co Publishing Ltd.

This magazine is distributed for free to allETF members. Editorial views expressed arenot necessarily those of the ETF. Additionalcopies can be purchased for £5.95 (ex P+P).No part of this publication may be repro-duced in any format without the prior writtenpermission of the publisher.

Printed in the European Union

For all editorial and advertising enquiriesplease contact Anderson & Co Publishing LtdTel: +44 (0)1380 816777 Fax: +44 (0)1380 816778email: [email protected] www.trainermagazine.com

Issue 40

CONTRIBUTORS


Vice Chairmanship:Max Hennau

FEDERATION BELGE DESENTRAINEURS

Rue des Carrieres 355032 - Les Isnes

BELGIUMTel: Fax: +32 (0)81 56 68 46Email: [email protected]

GERMANYErika Mäder Jentgesallee 1947799 Krefeld

Tel: +49 (0)2151 594911Fax: +49 (0)2151 590542

Mobile: +49 (0)173 8952675Email: [email protected]

CZECH REPUBLICJosef Vana

CZECH JOCKEYS AND TRAINERSASSOCIATION

Starochuchelska 192/16159 00 Praha 5 - Velka Chuchle

Contact: Roman VitekMobile: +42 (0)606727027Email: [email protected]

EUROPEAN TRAINERS’ FEDERATION

Chairmanship:Criquette Head-Maarek

Association des Entraineurs de Galop18 bis Avenue du Général Leclerc

60501 ChantillyFRANCE

Tel: + 33 (0)3 44 57 25 39Fax: + 33(0)3 44 57 58 85

Email: [email protected]

AIMS and OBJECTIVES of the ETF:a) To represent the interests of all member trainers’ associations in Europe.

b) To liaise with political and administrative bodies on behalf of European trainers.c) To exchange information between members for the benefit of European trainers.

d) To provide a network of contacts to assist each member to develop its policy and services to member trainers.

ETF REPRESENTATIVES

Vice Chairmanship:Christian von der Recke

Hovener Hof53919 Weilerswist

GermanyTel: +49 (0 22 54) 84 53 14Email: [email protected]

Treasureship:Jim Kavanagh

IRISH RACEHORSE TRAINERSASSOCIATION

Curragh House-Dublin RoadKildare-Co.Kildare

IRELANDTel: +353 (0) 45 522981Fax: + 353 (0) 45 522982

Mobile: + 353(0)87 2588770Email: [email protected]

www.irta.ie

SPAINMauricio Delcher Sanchez

AZAFRAN, 5- 3ºMMAJADAHONDA28022 Madrid

Spain Tel: +34 (0)666 53 51 52

Email: [email protected]

UNITED KINGDOMRupert Arnold

NATIONAL TRAINERS’ FEDERATION9 High Street - Lambourn - Hungerford

BerkshireRG17 8XN

Tel: +44 (0)1488 71719Fax: +44 (0)1488 73005www.racehorsetrainers.org

ITALYOvidio PessiU.N.A.G.

Via Montale, 920151 [email protected]

[email protected]. +39 02 48205006

mobile: +39 348 31 33 828

NORWAYSven-Erik Lilja Eventyrveien 8,1482 Nittedal

NorwayTel: +47 (0) 67 07 14 12

Mobile: +47 (0) 91 12 88 96Email: [email protected]

SWEDENFredrik Reuterskiöld

Swedish Trainers Association SouthNotarp 3228S-243 92 Hoor

Tel: +46 (0)413 55 00 65Fax: +46 (0)413 55 04 95

Mobile: +46 (0)70 731 26 39

Swedish Trainers Association NorthKarlaplan 10

115 20 Stockholm SwedenMail: [email protected]

Tel: +46 (0)8 662 46 79Mobile: +46 (0)708 756 756

www.europeantrainers.com


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Sir Henry Cecil expresses his affection for Frankel after the colt’s 11-length victory in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot

The TRM Trainer of the Quarter award has been won by Sir Henry Cecil. Sir Henry and his team will receive a

selection of products from the internationally-acclaimedrange of TRM supplements worth €2,000, as well as a

bottle of select Irish whiskey.WORDS: EMMA BERRY PHOTO: FRANK SORGE


TRM Trainer of the Quarter

SIR HENRY CECIL

IR Henry Cecil has trained thewinners of 25 British Classics butonly one of those horses has asection devoted to him on thetrainer’s website. There are no prizes

for guessing the identity of the subject.Frankel possesses such natural ability that

any one of a number of talented trainers couldhave helped to elevate him to the status ofworld champion racehorse but arguably onlyone could ensure that his name is alreadyenmeshed in racing legend. Without Cecil,Frankel’s story would be lacking one vitalelement.

It’s too simple to suggest that it’s merelypathos. True, Cecil’s illness in recent yearsadds a dramatic undercurrent to events whichhave unfolded on the track over the last threeseasons, but Cecil does not connect withracegoers because they feel sorry for him – heis simply adored. In the age of Twitter andumpteen online forums, insults and criticismare so easily bandied about and given morecredence than they deserve. Cecil is among an

elite group of people within racing who arealmost beyond criticism – Sir Peter O’Sullevanand The Queen spring readily to mind, butmembers of that set are few and far between.

Long before initiatives such as Racing ForChange were deemed necessary, Cecil hadunwittingly been doing his bit to transformracegoers into race fans. He has a uniquecharm – his upper-class credentials softenedby obvious shyness and a tendency towardsself-deprecation that wins over folk from allmanner of social background.

On his list of Classic winners the filliesoutweigh the colts, but while some mastertrainers have a reputation for being betterwith one or the other, Cecil has excelled withboth. Names like Slip Anchor, Kris, ReferencePoint, Oh So Sharp, Bosra Sham, IndianSkimmer and Lady Carla cannot casually betossed aside but in after days it will always beFrankel who is first and foremost in the mindsof students of racing history when the nameSir Henry Cecil is mentioned.

The trainer’s dramatic slump from his


pomp of the 1980s and 90s to a string ofaround 40 relatively moderate animals in theearly part of this century has been welldocumented. Plenty of people would havethrown in the towel, but for a man whosecalling it is to prime the physical aspect of athoroughbred by understanding the workingsof his mind as much as overseeing dailyexercise, that was clearly unthinkable.

Reward for effort, perhaps for sheer bloody-mindedness in equal measure to hisundoubted talent, came his way. First throughPassage Of Time, then Light Shift, Midday,Twice Over and, ultimately, Frankel. That’s notto say, of course, that Cecil won’t go on totrain other top-class horses, but as he said onQIPCO British Champions’ Day, and as we’veall known instinctively for some time now,there’s never been anything better thanFrankel and it’s hard to imagine that there evercould be.

We’re delighted to award Sir Henry Cecilthe title of ‘Trainer of the Quarter’ – for many,he’s the trainer of a lifetime. n

S


PROFILE

JOSEPH VÁNALiving legend of theVelka Pardubicka

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JOSEPH VANÁ

Vána in action on Tiumens (left), three-time

Velka Pardubicka winner, in this year’s race

in which he eventually finished third


PROFILE

When you mentionhorseracing to anyone on thestreet in the Czech Republic,most will recognise a singlename: Josef Vána. There is nodoubt who the face ofhorseracing is in this centralEuropean country. Josef Vánahas become a living legendthrough his long run ofsuccesses in the VelkaPardubicka Steeplechase, theCzech answer to theMelbourne Cup. WORDS AND PHOTOS: PETR GUTH

OT FOR nothing is it the onlyannual sports event screened onthe first national televisionchannel, which is reserved forserious stuff. Neither theOlympics nor the Champions

League final qualifies for such a privilege fromCzech TV, not to mention Formula 1 racing oranything else. Only the Velka holds this privileged

position. And the one and only Josef Vána isthe most famous personality in the history ofthe race. The Velka has had 122 winners, andVána’s name appears on the list no less than 17times. He has taken the race eight times as ajockey, and nine times as a trainer. Both arerecords. As a jockey, he had already experiencedthe Taxis 26 times – this famous fence isjumped only once a year, in the Velka. The lasttime, so far, was on October 13th, 2012. Vánawas just a week shy of his sixtieth birthday.Third place in the biggest race of the season,

at the age of 59, is not something most peoplewould be upset about. He had to congratulatehis rivals this year, though, and that issomething Josef Vána does not like to have todo. But there is no room in his nature for beingupset by defeat, as defeat is the moment whenhe starts thinking how to succeed again in thefuture. This year, he had trained five horses totake part in the big race, but none of them won.This is a situation that Vána is not used to,having trained the winner of the previous sixrenewals. Vána has already started looking forways to get back on top next year. However, Pardubice is far from being the

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JOSEPH VANÁ


“We are still able to succeed in Europeanraces. I’m convinced ofit. If you train horses inthe Czech Republic, youhave to think of the possibility of successelsewhere”

only place that Vána has in his mind. He triesto keep in touch with racing all around, andthere is nowhere that he would not considergoing with his horses, within a radius of 1,000kilometres or so, if the races are interestingenough. To be successful in his exploits, healways works hard to make improvements,always looking for new paths leading to furthersuccess. So far, every defeat has motivated himto make a new effort, and this time it willprobably be the same. Half an hour after heunsaddled Tiumen, three-time hero of theVelka, he congratulated this year’s winners andbegan pondering why his most recent efforthad failed. At that moment he knew one thing:he wants to be in the Velka Pardubicka againnext year. His tenth victory as a trainer: it is abig challenge. And as a 60-year-old winningrider? Who knows? He is keeping his optionswide open...Josef Vána does not come from a racing

background. He worked for a while at a studfor trotters in the hills of Moravia before findingwork in a garage, and was also a volunteer witha mountain rescue service and had a jobrunning ski lifts, when he spent a lot of time onskis and didn’t think about horses for months.But he eventually came back to horses andstarted going to the local stables. In 1985, atthe age of 33, he rode his first race. As anamateur rider he became increasingly involvedin the work of the stables in Svetlá Hora, asmall town in the hills where a race meeting isheld once a year. This is where he met Železník, a horse that

could be called the Czech Red Rum. He won

the Velka Pardubicka Steeplechase with Vá�a inthe saddle – not just once, twice or three times,like Red Rum at Aintree. Železník and riderJosef Vána teamed up and won the Velka fourtimes between 1987 and 1991. That issomething that has not been achieved before orsince. Even Vána failed to emulate his ownsuccess, when his fourth successive victoryslipped through his fingers in the 2012running of the Velka. “Horses just charmed me again. I liked my

mountains and had no problem working onthe ski lifts, but horses have captured my heart.I met with my wife Pavla through horses, andas I came closer to these animals, I decided tochange my life for them.” Vána admits that hewas very lucky to meet up with Železník’strainer Cestmír Olehla, a few years his juniorand one of the best theorists in CentralEuropean racing. But after long-term successful

cooperation, Vána decided to leave Sve�tláHora. With horses in mind, he left not only hishome but also the Czech (at that timeCzechoslovak) Republic to gain experiencearound the world. In Germany and in Francehe recognised a different style, and he carefullynoted everything that would be important forhis work. He spent four years as a rider in and around

Baden Baden, but also learned a lot for hisfuture career as a trainer. “It was somethingentirely new. For me, every experience isvaluable. In Sve�tlá Hora horses were trained inhilly terrain. This is different from working atthe major training centres in Western Europe.The trainer has to face problems unknown toour colleagues abroad. But we are still able tosucceed in European races. I’m convinced of it.If you train horses in the Czech Republic, youhave to think of the possibility of successelsewhere. Horseracing is not such a big deal inmy country, and we can’t afford to play only inour own backyard.”Cestmír Olehla, with whom he worked in the

early years, is now his great rival. Olehlaworked with Železník and also trainedRegistana, winner of two Velka Pardubickas.He took two Polish-bred horses, Kolorado andMasini, to win the Gran Premio in Italy. Olehlahas had a runner in the Grand Steeple Chase deParis at Auteuil and sent Registana for an ill-fated race at Cheltenham. Olehla’s wins in theGran Premio, however, are his only successesthat Josef Vána has not yet emulated orsurpassed. In several other ways, Vána hasovershadowed his great rival. Vána and his

Roches Cross wins the 2011 Czech Derby for Vána with Jan Raja in saddle


PROFILE


horses have followed a similar route, but healso keeps looking for new challenges of hisown. Vána is the only Czech trainer to havesent horses to run in Belgium, and he has alsoexperimented with hurdles at Cheltenham. Heis always open to new ideas.The idea of training horses to race abroad

came from his very first owners. “In thenineties, I knew several people interested insetting up training stables for German horses inthe Czech Republic. They had some confidencein me, and they also wanted to save somemoney, as training fees are much higher inGermany. “We agreed, and I started looking around for

a suitable place in the Czech Republic. We werelooking for a place not far from German borderwhich would let me work in accordance withmy ideas about training horses. We found afarmhouse in Bohuslav-Mlynce. The place tookmy fancy, and looked ideal for our purposes. Itsatisfied every requirement I could possiblythink of.“It has enough space for galloping. There is

an opportunity to work on the hillside, andalso on the flat. It’s not far from the Germanborder and not far from Prague, which is themain flat racecourse in the Czech Republic. It isalso only twenty minutes from the racecoursein Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad) the facilities ofwhich can be used for speed traning.” Vána started out as a trainer with just a few

horses aimed at racing in Germany. Successfulcooperation with his original owner did not lastlong, however, as he withdrew with substantialdebts and Josef Vána had to look for a newpatron. His first attempts as a trainer raised

considerable interest, and new owners camealong within a matter of days. Since then, therehas been no lack of owners interested in histraining yard. Within a few years, Bohuslavbecame one of the the largest training centres inCentral Europe, and Josef Vána usually hasmore than 50 horses in training. Nowadays heis no longer a specialist only in jumps racing.He prides himself on the special personalattention that is given to all of his horses, andeach has its own training programme. Heworks his horses on the slopes of Vladar Hill,but within a few minutes he can be back at thestables looking for suitable pathogenic zonesfor each individual horse.His training centre has become a symbol in

Czech racing for hard work and success.According to official statistics, he currently has63 horses in the training centre, owned byindividuals from the Czech Republic, Germany,Italy, and the United Kingdom. There are nolonger only jumpers in the stables. In additionto the nine winners of the Velka Pardubicka,Vána’s training centre can claim three wins inthe Czech Derby. Irish-bred Roches Cross was

the most recent of these, in 2011.“When we built our centre, we knew exactly

what conditions we wanted for the horses, andwe have gone ahead since then,” says Vána.“The important thing for me is that Vladar Hillis available. I cannot imagine training in a placewithout a hill like that.” Another special feature of his training centre

is the various obstacles built in the vicinity.“We’ve built almost all of the types that we canpossibly encounter anywhere when we goracing. I wouldn’t like to arrive somewhere andsend our horse to jump without being aware ofwhat to expect. The times when some Czechtrainers used to take horses abroad withoutmuch information on what to expect areprobably gone. Whenever we travel abroad, wehave to be prepared.”Going abroad is what he really wants. The

frequent trips that he used to make to Germanyare a thing of the past due to the decline ofsteeplechasing there. Nowadays, he prefers torun his horses in the Czech Republic but healso takes a considerable number of runners toItaly and occasionally appears in France,Belgium, and Britain. In the last three years, hishorses have twice taken second place the GranPremio, Italy’s premier race over fences, atMerano, and Vána’s ambitions include bigsteeplechases elsewhere.“The Gran Premio has been snatched away

from us twice. This year it was a narrow defeat,which was upsetting. In recent years in Italy, wehave been facing tough opponents fromFrance. Although French horses are on top inEurope, we can beat them one day with whatwe have, if everything goes our way. We’ll seewhen that happens, but I’ll be very pleased if ithappens with a horse from our stables. Anotherstep for us is to go racing in France. This iswhat we are considering for the near future.French racing is at the top in continentalsteeplechasing, and we are now looking forsuitable horses to compete on their soil, too.”Vána, of course, knows very well how

popular the biggest races in the UK are. Due todifferences in the racing season, though, hedoes not consider it realistic for the Czechcross-country specialists to run at theCheltenham Festival in March. “For this youwould need not only the right horse, but alsothe right owner. Most of the owners in theCzech Republic want their horses to be seenrunning in the Velka Pardubicka, and thatraceday is usually followed by a cold winter.March is not a suitable date for us,” he says.This should not be taken to mean that

Cheltenham and Aintree are off his list for thefuture. “He is a trainer who can always findsolutions. Even in an almost impossiblesituation he will come up with something thatmakes sense,” says Ivo Köhler, owner of tripleVelka Pardubicka winner Tiumen. And there isno doubt that his words are correct in Vána’scase.Josef Vána is famous for his steeplechasing

efforts, but he also plays a major role among

“Although French horses are on top inEurope, we can beatthem one day with whatwe have, if everythinggoes our way”

Vána shares a moment with Josef

Nesladek, owner of the Czech

Derby winner Roches Cross



the top Czech trainers on the flat. “Training myhorses on flat ground is always a challenge,”says Vána. “Winning the Velka Pardubicka issomething completely different from winningthe Czech Derby. However, both are fineexamples of a good job done,” he believes. Theglory of winning the Czech Derby is notunfamiliar to him. He has already won the racethree times. He then raced his most recentDerby winner Roches Cross as a four-year-oldon the Flat in Germany and in France, butwithout success. “We lost, but we don’t feeldefeated, “says Vána. “I believe that one day wewill also find a flat horse that can win someglory for us abroad.” Although he already has 15 champion

trainer’s trophies over fences under his belt, theCzech public still thinks of him as a jockey.This is despite the fact that he was on the brinkof fatal injuries in 1994 after a heavy fall in arace at Baden Baden. He left the racecourse incritical condition and his future was in seriousdoubt. However, Josef Vána is a man with a

tremendous will. He recovered and was evenstronger. Just three months after these seriousinjuries, he again went to the start to ride in theVelka Pardubicka. “I am now a trainer by profession. I am back

in the saddle almost on a daily basis trainingmy horses. This is how it suits me, and that’show I feel I can get the best from them.” In histraining headquarters in Western Bohemia, heworks with a competent team of people hetrusts, including leading Czech jumps jockeyJosef Bartos. In past years they have covered many miles

in the saddle. “Riding work is one thing, andracing is something completely different,” Vánaadmits. “For the race riding, I only choose horsesI know well and ride them only with the consentof their owners. I’m frequently asked about thedate on which I’ll have my last race, but I still feelI can compete with the others on a special dayand on a special occasion. To be out there forVelka gives me such a strong feeling that I justcan’t call it a day,” Vána explains.

At his age, he is a great example of willpowerand fitness. Every year he rides thousands ofkilometres on his bike, and his trainingprogramme also includes swimming, skiing,and in-line skating. “Every comeback as a rideris somehow stressful. This year it was a matterof time,” says Vána, who broke his thigh thisyear. “I knew I had to get in shape fairly quickly– so I had to multiply my efforts. And Isucceeded.”He placed third in the Velka this year, and

the usual questions were asked. Was this yourlast Velka? “I know this question from recentyears, and it’s still the same. So is the answer.Nothing is sure. Health permitting, I’ll try tofind the right horse and agree with its owner. Ifthere is such a horse, it is possible you will seeme riding the Velka Pardubicka again.” Vána’s health is a much discussed topic. In

some Czech hospitals they will tell you abouthis escapes from his hospital bed. Recently,however, he has become a more disciplinedpatient. “When I broke my thigh this springafter a fall from a horse in training, I knew I hadto listen to the doctors if I wanted to return tothe saddle in time for the race. In the hospitalin Pilsen, I found common ground with thespecialists. They are great professionals, and Ido trust them.”Trust is something Vána has respect for, not

only in matters of health. “To be successful inraces, you need to have credible people behindyou at work, a capable and competent vet, andalso an owner who backs you up, and you trusteach other. “When you put all this together, you can

hope for success. And right now I have it all,”says Vána, with special thanks to the family. Hiswife is involved in preparing the horses andson Josef junior is currently riding in Italy, butin the next few months he will return to theirheadquarters.Josef Vána is a trusted figure not only among

the horseracing public. He has also beenelected deputy mayor of Chyše, the small citywhere his stables are based. “I belong heretoday,” says Vána. “With the horses, with myfamily, and with plans for the future.” InOctober he celebrated his 60th birthday, andno one in Czech horseracing can tell how farahead his plans for the future may lead. “Onething is for sure, I will not become a politician,”he says. n

“I’m frequently askedabout the date on whichI’ll have my last race,but I still feel I can compete with the otherson a special day and ona special occasion”

PROFILE


This spring Vána broke his thigh – five days later he was attending the races





VETERINARY

A filly is lowered

into the recovery

box after surgery


All horsesgreat andsmall

NEWMARKET EQUINE HOSPITAL

HE first thing to ensure whenfollowing vets around for the dayis that you walk fast. The vets fromNewmarket Equine Hospital don'thang about, which is hardlysurprising when last year alone

saw 3,062 admissions to Europe’s largestequine hospital – and that’s not taking intoaccount the number of thoroughbreds, sporthorses and ponies which the team ofambulatory vets visited at yards and studsaround East Anglia and beyond.The state-of-the-art hospital adjacent to the

National Stud and within cat-swingingdistance of both of the town’s racecourses and70-odd training yards has been open foralmost four years but the practice’s roots runmuch deeper. Started just after the First WorldWar and known by a variety of names ofpartners down the years, it was until recentlyGreenwood, Ellis & Partners. The switch toland on the Duke of Sutherland’s StetchworthEstate on the fringe of Newmarket in 2008brought with it a final name change which hasswiftly caught on. If you’re a horse-owner inNewmarket and its environs, you’re eitherwith ‘NEH’ or with Rossdales, the equally


well-regarded rival practice with a hospital inthe neighbouring town of Exning.Racehorses alone in Newmarket can

number 3,000 in the height of the Flat season.Add to that the population of broodmares andyoung stock on the surrounding studs, not tomention some of the world’s leading stallions,and you have an equine population whoseowners demand veterinary excellence. Andexcellence is what they will find here.“It doesn't matter whether you’re a human

surgeon or an equine surgeon, you need to gowhere the biggest caseload is in order tobecome good and stay good at doing it,” saysIan Wright, the fastest walker of the NEH vetswho is also an orthopaedic surgeon and headof the hospital’s referral service.

T This summer Emma Berry spent four weeks visitingNewmarket Equine Hospital as her racehorse-turned-hackrecovered from colic surgery. Impressed by what she saw, shereturned to Europe’s largest hospital to find out more…WORDS AND PHOTOS: EMMA BERRY

VETERINARY

An anaesthetised filly being prepared for surgery

“Most clinical disciplines are a numbersgame – the more surgeries you do, by andlarge the better you’re going to be at it. SoNewmarket has always attracted the best forthat reason.”Within the course of a routine morning for

Wright, he inserts a screw into the fracturedpastern of a two-year-old filly in training,while two other young thoroughbred filliesfollow her on to the table for arthroscopicsurgery – in these cases removing bone chipsfrom knees and fetlocks. Looking slightly outof place among the bluebloods but no lesswell attended on the list of patients fororthopaedic surgery that morning is a 16-year-old pony. In typically hardy ponyfashion, he is more resistant to the general

NEWMARKET EQUINE HOSPITAL

After surgery the filly is hoisted into the recovery box Orthopaedic surgeon Ian Wright inserts a screw into the filly's pastern

The anaesthetist keeps a check on her patient

anaesthetic than the malleable thoroughbredsbut eventually succumbs in one of the heavilypadded rooms which neighbour the surgicalsuite for work to be undertaken on his hock.“Our patients are roughly 70%

thoroughbred,” says Wright. “The practice hasgrown out of the local racing and breedingcommunity and orthopaedic cases account forthe highest number within our caseload. Ifyou look at the limiting factor on the racingthoroughbred, mostly it’s orthopaedic.”Winching close to half-a-ton of horse onto

an operating table is no mean feat and thesight of an unconscious racehorse suspendedby all four feet takes a little getting used to forthose unaccustomed to the procedure, but itis all very much part of the routine for thesurgical team of six, which includes thesurgeon, an anaesthetist, three nurses, andone of the practice’s five ‘interns’.Wright explains: “We have an internship

scheme like many human hospitals, with fiveinterns, which are new or relatively recentgraduates on two-year appointments. Theyrotate around the disciplines in that time –intensive care, x-ray, anaesthesia, etc., and theywill become trained to a reasonable degree in

each of those disciplines. Some will go on tospecialist training and others will go on toprivate practice with those core skills.” Theinterns live on site and, like junior doctors,quickly learn to exist on very little sleep,particularly when the intensive care unitcontains critically ill patients who are checkedat hourly intervals throughout the night.Another member of the team for whom

sleep is often quite a luxury is Dr Mark

Hillyer, who specialises in soft-tissue surgeryand internal medicine. With colic being oneof his areas of expertise, and colic attacksseemingly more prevalent in the evening,Hillyer often operates through the night. Agrowing area of his ‘day job,’ which lures himaway from the hospital to the heath, isoverground endoscopy. This process, usedmore and more frequently by trainers,involves a scope fitted with a tiny digitalcamera being inserted into a horse’s nasalpassage to observe and record the action ofthe larynx while the horse is at exercise. Wind operations are now commonly talked

about and undertaken in racing but, with arange of different types of surgery availabledepending on the breathing problem, it’simportant to ensure that the right path istaken.“The key to the overground endoscopy has

been giving us the correct information as towhat’s wrong with a horse and allowing us toselect the most appropriate surgery for thatindividual,” Hillyer explains.“In the past there is no doubt we were

almost guessing on occasion rather than beingable to say specifically to an owner or trainer

“Orthopaedic casesaccount for the highestnumber within our caseload. If you look atthe limiting factor on theracing thoroughbred,mostly it’s orthopaedic”

Ian Wright


VETERINARY

A horse in training is trotted up for vet Simon Waterhouse

Orthopaedic surgeon Ian Wright performs arthroscopic surgery on a two-year-old filly to

remove a bone chip from her knee

what was wrong with their horse and what weneeded to do to fix it, or indeed to say ‘yourhorse hasn't got anything wrong with it’.“It does allow us reasonably definitively to

pick out the ones who really do havesomething wrong with them and also pick outthe ones with nothing wrong with them, whoare perhaps just slow.”Hillyer, whose overground endoscopic

work is performed in tandem with hiscolleague Mark Tunstill, does not restrict hiscall-outs to Newmarket horses.He says: “Last week we went to Chantilly –

we’ve been to the south coast and toSouthwell – we’ll not quite go anywhere butwe’ll travel with it if appropriate.“And now doing an overground is routine.

We don’t disrupt a yard’s morning routine atall – the horse goes out with the others andcomes back with the others. That makes iteasy to do and I’ve been surprised at how welltolerated it’s been by the horses. “It gives us the confidence that we’re doing

the right thing to the right horse. That’s whatI want to be doing. I’m not in the game ofperforming throat surgery just becausesomeone has asked me to. I have to be happythat it’s the right thing to do, which for me iswhy the overground endoscopy is important.”Hillyer is one of ten hospital-based vets,

while on the ‘ambulatory’ side – vets on theroad visiting studs and training yards – thereare another 20.“Many years ago a trainer would only use a

vet for routine vaccinations and catastrophes,whereas now the vets are an important part ofthe running of a modern training yard,” saysDavid Dugdale, a partner at NEH for some 25years and former president of the BritishEquine Veterinary Association (BEVA).“It has gone from fairly intermittent visits to

certain yards to almost a daily visit to thebigger yards. The vets are looking atmonitoring horses’ respiratory health, bloods,any ongoing aches and pains. On top of that


Total hospital admissions: 3,062

Surgical cases: 835

General anaesthesia: 766

Mortality associated with general

anaesthesia and surgery: 3

Radiographic examinations: 2,389

Ultrasound examinations: 804

Scintigraphy: 291

MRI scans: 150

Referred radiographs: 1,071

NEH IN NUMBERS (FOR 2011)

Arthroscopy: 245

Tenoscopy/bursoscopy: 95

Internal fixation: 90

Other orthopaedic: 133

Colics: 66

Airways: 68

Obstetrics and gynaecology: 7

Other soft tissue: 62

Standing surgery: 69

Peripatetic surgeries by NEH vets: 151

BREAKDOWN IN SURGERY CASES


VETERINARY

The filly (left) is wheeled out of the operating theatre after having a screw fitted in a fractured

pastern. The anaesthetist (above) monitors her patient as she regains consciousness

Sir Mark Prescott has been training inNewmarket since 1970. He says: “TheNewmarket Equine Hospital is a marvellousfacility and a worthy legacy for David Ellis,who did all the planning. “In Newmarket if we get a horse with a

colic, he can be in the hospital in 20 minutes.The horses receive a better standard of carethan we do. Even on Christmas Day they willbe seen within half an hour. It’s impossible toconceive of a National Health Serviceanywhere in the world where people arelooked after better than our horses are here.It’s second to none.”

Roger Varian, whoassisted Michael Jarvisfor ten years and tookover his stable inNewmarket in early2011, says: “They are onhand 24/7 and getthrough an enormous amount of work. Wehave always found the team at NEH to be theultimate professionals in every way.”

Mark Johnston, a vet himself who trains inMiddleham, North Yorkshire, regularly sendshis horses to Newmarket for treatment. Hesays: “I saw practice there briefly so I’vealways had a vague association with themand started using them for second opinionwork when I first started training. I’ve builtup a relationship with the team there andthey are first-class – it’s the biggest, best-equipped, best-staffed hospital in Europe, ifnot the world, and they offer great value. “We send a lot of horses there, including

all our third opinion work and surgical cases.Our policy on colics is if they don’t respondto first treatment then they are on the box toNEH within the hour. They’re then in thebest place if further intervention is required.”

there’s the odd severe injury which we canbring here to the hospital for furtherinvestigation or treatment.“The number of horses in training in the

town has been pretty stable and it has retainedits status as a centre of excellence for training.The breeding side is also important: studshave sprung up around the periphery ofNewmarket and it’s now very much the centreof the breeding industry within the UK.”At this time of the year, the ambulatory vets

also have their hands full with sales work,carrying out pre- and post-sale examinations,not just at nearby Tattersalls but at all themajor European sales. With such aninternational influence at the yearling andbreeding stock sales, NEH has a departmentdevoted solely to work on horses waiting to beexported. Quarantine is required for many ofthese and also for temporary travellers, suchas those heading out to Australia for theMelbourne Cup. With most European raidersrequired to undergo quarantine atNewmarket’s Side Hill Stud, NEH has beencalled in to oversee the facility.

“Australia requires a three-week quarantineperiod before the horses can travel but whenthey continue to be exercised, which presentsa major logistical problem,” says Dugdale.“Fortunately, with the facilities in Newmarketand the heath, a section of that can be devotedto those horses so they can continue fairlynormal training prior to export and hopefullyarrive in Australia fresh, well, and fit and ableto do their best.“We supervise the veterinary aspects of

that, including daily checks of the horses andsupervision while they are out on the heath.”Other extraneous duties for NEH this year

include being appointed as the referralhospital for the Olympics for any orthopaedicinjuries to the equine participants. Thankfullythere were none, but Gaynor Minshall, whoheads NEH’s orthopaedic diagnostic imagingdepartment, was on duty at Greenwichthroughout the games.On a day-to-day basis, however, the core

work is focused very much on the lifeblood ofthe town: the racehorses. Developing goodworking relationships with trainers is key tothe success of NEH.“The Newmarket trainers are an eclectic

bunch. Many very able trainers areconservative in their approach and instinctivelyknow when their horses are right or wrong,and others like to have as much information asthey possibly can to help them make decisionsabout when to run horses,” says Dugdale.That different trainers have different

approaches is well known to Dugdale’s fellowpartner Simon Waterhouse, whose clientsinclude Roger Varian, Peter Chapple-Hyam,James Fanshawe and Toby Coles.With all four of these trainers on his list for

rounds during evening stables, Waterhouse isanother who strides about at great speed,liaising with assistant trainers and head ladsover blood-tests and the trotting up ofsuspected lame horses. There’s plenty to getthrough in just a few hours, and the following

“I’m not in the game ofperforming throat surgery just becausesomeone has asked meto. I have to be happythat it’s the right thing todo, which for me is whythe overgroundendoscopy is important”

Dr Mark Hillyer

WHAT THE TRAINERS SAY



VETERINARY


morning he is due to fly to Ireland for theOrby Sale to vet horses for those same clients.It’s clear from the way Waterhouse is greetedin the respective yards that he is not just ‘thevet’ but a trusted and well-liked member ofeach team.The most difficult aspect of racing is losing

a horse – whether on the racecourse or at

is seriously injured,” says Waterhouse, who,along with his colleagues, is regularly calledupon to be on duty for Newmarket’s racemeetings.“We spend a lot of time cutting down the

risks to horses but they can never beeliminated completely. When you know thehorses and have worked with them asindividuals, like everyone who looks afterthem you feel terrible when something goeswrong.”From being present at Epsom when

Chapple-Hyam’s team won the Derby withAuthorized to attending the stricken GrayPearl at the start of this year’s 1,000 Guineas,there have been the inevitable highs and lowsfor Waterhouse, as there are for most peopleinvolved in the sport.He says: “Racing is the end product – from

the breeding, the sales, the training – so it’snice to see the end result of what we’reinvolved in, especially when there are goodNewmarket horses running.“Last year James Fanshawe’s Royal Ascot

double was a great highlight. I’m desperate forthe teams I work for to do well – there’s realelation for all involved when something likethat happens.“As a vet you spend so much time giving

trainers bad news but a winner is always goodnews.” n

Mark Hillyer (right) and Mark Tunstill oversee a horse fitted with an overground endoscope on Newmarket Heath

THE INTERN’S VIEW

Olivia Bell, 25, is in the first half of hertwo-year internship at NEH afterqualifying as a vet at Bristol University“I had an interest in high-end referral workand, though not from a racing background, I find the racing world interesting as theowners are willing to do so much with thehorses. “It’s very sophisticated the work that is done on thoroughbreds and I wasdrawn to this place because of the number of surgical cases that come through.“It’s really hard work but I wanted a

challenge and I thought if I was going to do an internship I wanted to do the best,and this is one of the best, in my opinion.The standard of work they do here isincredible.”

home on the gallops. As the arbiters of mercyin such sad situations, it is not something thatvets can ever take lightly.“There can be some beautiful mornings

here in Newmarket, with mist drifting acrossthe Limekilns, but in the back of my mindthere’s always the thought that usually I’monly going out to the gallops because a horse



RACING

Working the fascia of the

deep pectoral area, the

horse enters a state of bliss

and cooperation, lifting and

holding her leg up for

release

FAST RECOVERYThree tips to get yourhorse back to racing withStructural Integration


STRUCTURAL INTERGRATION

Three ways to improve recovery timeSpecialised equine bodywork called StructuralIntegration addresses these issues by reducingthe cumulative physical and mental stress ofintense training. The method brings aboutimproved and efficient use of energy anddrastically reduces the incidence of costlytraining and racing injuries.

Even experienced trainers may not be awareof the important role gravity has in balancingthe horse’s body and how training stress andphysical injuries can pull the horse’s body outof gravitational alignment. When a horse startsbecoming even a little unbalanced, slower, orweaker, it may be wise to look at that horse’sbody from a structural perspective.

Fascia, the body’s connective tissue, is themedium that surrounds each muscle, bone,and organ, holding everything in its correctposition in the body. When a horse strains amuscle, the fascia tightens around the injuredarea like a splint to aid in healing. Over timethe fascia may gradually shorten, tighteningand adjusting to protect and accommodate themisalignments.

A body out of alignment creates inefficiencyand imbalances resulting in stiffness,discomfort and loss of energy. These translateto slower race times. When the horse’s body isin less than optimal condition, fatigue andsmall injury imbalances compromise recoverytime. Slower race times may often be traced tothese physical inefficiencies that, over time,become locked in place.

Structural integrationStructural Integration is scientifically validatedbodywork that reorganises the horse’s integralstructure. Unlike massage which focuses onmuscles, or chiropractic which works withnerves and bones, Structural Integration works

on the protective layers of fascia to align andbalance the body by lengthening andrepositioning the fascia, which allows musclesto move more efficiently.

A Structural Integration practitioner appliespressure and strokes to the body in a definedand specific manner, working the entire fascialsystem systematically from superficial tissuelayers to deeper, intrinsic tissue.

Fascia’s roleA curious part of anatomy, fascia is the fabricthat holds the body together, gives shape andstructure, and supports the body workingwithin the bounds of gravity (as opposed to

the popular belief that bones provide the body with structure). Fascia is so importantthat without it we would all collapse on theground into a big pile of bones and tissue.Fascia weaves together the various parts andpieces of the anatomy and connects them intoa continuous whole that surrounds andprotects the muscles and literally every cell inthe body.

When connective tissue is healthy, it:l is pliable and elasticl allows muscles, tendons, and ligaments to

shorten and lengthen with flexibilityl lets muscles, tendons, and ligaments glide

unimpeded by adhesions.When imbalances exist within the body, the

health of the connective tissue is affected.Unhealthy connective tissue is thicker, harder,and much less resilient. It becomes dehydratedand shortens, significantly affecting how themuscles and joints function. When restrictedfascia is released and lengthened, the horse’sbody returns to optimal performance.

Equine athletes benefitNow that you have a basic understanding offascia’s role, function, and behaviour, here’show Structural Integration delivers results inthree primary areas.

Racehorses are elite athletes who experience the sameaches, pains, mental and physical fatigue, and stress-relatedinjuries as human athletes. Though strong, racehorses arealso delicate. It’s challenging to keep them on uninterruptedtraining and racing schedules, free from injury, stress, andstrain.WORDS AND PHOTOS: MONICA MCKENZIE

“When a horse startsbecoming even a littleunbalanced, slower, orweaker, it may be wise tolook at that horse’s bodyfrom a structural perspective”


RACING

Above: Monica McKenzie, Structural

Integration practitioner, working with Scarlet,

a four-year-old thoroughbred mare in

California. Horses have a natural wisdom

about what is good for them. They tend to be

cooperative when what is involved is in their

best interests. This horse is leaning her body

weight into me, to assist with lengthening the

fascia around the withers and scapula

restoring freedom to the shoulder

Left: Horses often participate in

re-patterning their nervous systems and

reconnecting distant parts of their bodies.

This mare shows how work with her shoulder

helps open her neck, head and jaw

When they are brought back to balance andoptimal functioning, horses experience a senseof ease in their physical body that translates toa renewed confidence in the ability to deal withadverse situations. Such horses become morefocused in their work, less distractible, and lesslikely to overreact to external stimuli; In otherwords, energy is not wasted.

Bob, a Belgian/thoroughbred gelding, wasworried and defensive about being touched.His owner reported him as unsure of himself inhis work. After the second session I noticed hisbehaviour shifting. Instead of stepping away, hepractically danced into my hands, especiallywhen I worked his hind end. He nuzzled and

Reducing stressTo fully understand how Structural Integrationchanges stress responses, we need to delve alittle into the horse psyche. In the wild,physically compromised horses are at risk oflosing their lives to predators. Their bodies willcompensate any way they can to avoidappearing vulnerable. This instinct is hard-wired into their brains to keep mountain

lions from singling them out as weak and eatingthem.

When fascial restrictions and sore musclesproduce pain and limitations in movement,everything in the horse’s environment becomesthreatening. As any experienced trainer knows,horses work hard to hide physical issues,making it hard to know how to help them getbetter.

STRUCTURAL INTERGRATION


groomed me, then stood relatively still for the work except when heexuberantly showed me where he wanted me to work next.

“He was a different horse! Bob felt more relaxed and sure of himselfthan he’s ever been. No more evasive, get-out-of-work tactics and he nolonger reacts to every distraction,” said owner Amy Ruge.

Efficient use of energyReducing stress automatically affects energy in a positive way. Whenrestrictions in the fascia are resolved, muscles glide more easily and areable to work in sync for optimal locomotion. Less energy is used up inthe exhausting effort to compensate for inefficiencies of movement. Theburden of restriction is lifted and the body is supported by gravity ratherthan fighting against it. With freedom of movement and efficient use ofenergy, horses are less stressed from training and racing and recoverfaster from their physical exertion.

Mucho Grande, a thoroughbred, struggled to get his hind endunderneath him and had a roached back. His hind legs tracked outsidehis front feet (a great feature in a racehorse) but didn’t reach very farforward. After two sessions, the roached back was gone and he hadgained four inches in his stride. After rebalancing his rib cage and barrel,he gained a couple more inches in his stride and movement becameeffortless. Before, minimal effort made him sweat. Now, harder workdoesn’t.

Another way Structural Integration contributes to increased energyand faster recovery is by resolving restrictions in the rib cage. With thisissue addressed, vital capacity is increased, more oxygen is madeavailable to the tissues,and less lactic acidbuilds up in themuscles. Heart andrespiratory rates returnto normal quicker andthe soreness andstiffness that comes fromextreme exertion issignificantly decreased.

Preventing injuries“Injuries, unlikeaccidents, do nothappen by chance. Thescience of injury prevention has demonstrated that injuries and theevents leading up to injuries are not random. Injuries lead to death,disability, and financial loss.” (Equine Injury Database Statistics andResources, 2010)

Although the contributing factors to injuries are vast and complicated,many can be prevented. Recovery time is limited to the normal courseof athletic endeavour and not to the extended time required to heal fromavoidable injury. A healthy fascial system is durable and elastic. Its primefunction, supporting the body’s internal structures, cannot becompromised if future injury is to be avoided. A horse working inbalance with his innate potential is at much less risk.

Structural Integration can help resolve old injuries that couldotherwise contribute to further compensations, injuries, and prolongedhealing time. Individual potential aside, improved performance andgreater success in the racing industry is the result of influencingstructure in an enduring way. Structural Integration can have a profoundand long-lasting effect that precludes time lost to training and racingrelated injuries.

What is every racehorse trainer’s goal? To win races. More power,more speed and an effortless gallop are all things that StructuralIntegration works to achieve. With balance, flexibility, focus, and healthyfascia, horses can reach their innate potential, use available energyconstructively, suffer less from stiffness, aches and pains, preventavoidable injury, and recover quickly from the exertions of training andracing. All this adds up to healthy horses and a financially rewardingcareer. n

“Structural Integrationcan help resolve oldinjuries that could otherwise contribute tofurther compensations,injuries, and prolongedhealing time”


RACING

Seal is led in after

winning the Mango

Gold Vase at

Greyville


HIGH ALTITUDE TRAINING

FLYING HIGHTraining horses at altitude

HE consistency of Straight Set,one of Spies’ top two-year-olds,did his theory no harm. Sheraided the province ofKwazulu-Natal four times overa period of under three months.

Two runs at Scottsville in Pietermaritzburg, atan altitude of about 650 metres above sealevel, brought a Grade 2 win and a Grade 1second, both over 1200m, and two runs atGreyville in the coastal city of Durban broughtseconds in Grade 1s over 1400m and 1600m.

His other good two-year-old, War Horse,raided Greyville twice, three weeks apart,winning a Grade 1 over 1400m and sixth in a1600m Grade 1.

Spies is based at The Vaal training centre,about an hour from Johannesburg, which liesat 1740m above sea level. He said, “Travelingthe other way (from the coast to high altitude)is a problem. But going from altitude to sealevel is advantageous due to the increasedoxygen content of the air. If the horses stay atthe coast after their runs they tend to go flat.It would take about six weeks or two monthsfor them to acclimatise and they would thenbegin to thrive. But taking them in and out isnot a problem, so I ship them up and down tokeep the positive effect of high altitudetraining.”

A scientific study has never been done, sothe impact of altitude on thoroughbredperformance remains a grey area. Methodsused to take advantage of or adapt to altitudeare largely theoretical and have been

discovered by trial and error over decades ofpractice. While a lot of common ground isfound, there is also a degree of argument onvirtually all aspects.

Athletic performance in horses is, as inhumans, interlinked with oxygen supply.Haemoglobin, an iron-containing proteinwithin the red blood cell, carries oxygen tothe body. The more haemoglobin present, themore oxygen can be carried. However, when the number of red blood cells is toolarge there is a traffic jam effect and bloodflow is restricted. This is termed haemo-concentrating, and it’s chiefly associated withintact males. Gelding can help solve haemo-concentration, and long, slow work isapparently another relieving influence.

Additives can provide raw material to createhaemoglobin but theonly thing thatcauses it to rise isexercise. Training

RACING

During a three-month period

Straight Set won a Grade 2

and was placed second in a

Grade 1 at 2,200 feet above

sea level at Scottsville before

finishing second twice in

Grade 1s at the coastal track

in Durban

Corné Spies, a much-traveled racehorse trainer in SouthAfrica, had a fine run with his best two-year-olds this pastseason. His methods in raiding sea level venues from his highaltitude base brought theories behind altitude training andacclimatisation to the fore, in the only major racing countrywhere altitude is an issue. WORDS: DaviD ThiSELTOn PhOTOS: GOLDEn CiRCLE, LEOn SETaRO

Tstresses the system, so bone marrow makesmore haemoglobin.

Scientific studies conducted on the impactof altitude in human athletes are unlikely tobe of much use in horses due to their differentmakeups. For one, the spleen of athoroughbred holds approximately one-thirdof its total red blood cells, held in reserve untilmobilised through exercise, stress, andexcitement, so horses are physically morecapable of adapting to high altitude thanhumans.

There is a debate in literature as to whichcomponent of splenic blood is moreimportant in the development of VO2 max(the volume of oxygen that can be consumedat maximum capacity of an athlete’s bodyduring incremental exercise), reflectingphysical fitness. Some evidence suggests thatthe overall increase in circulating bloodvolume is important in determining theelevation of aerobic performance, while otherevidence suggests that the increase incirculating red cells and haematocrit (thevolume percentage of red blood cells inblood), independent of volume, is moreimportant.

Horses have two types of red blood cells:rigid, and balloon-like. Horses with more


balloon-like cells move blood into themuscles and the lungs more easily. Onaverage, horses have 40% rigid and 60% fluidcells, so one with only 5% rigid cells wouldhave a tremendous advantage.

Geoff Woodruff, a five-time championSouth African trainer, is well qualified tospeak about the impact of altitude, havingtrained out of the coastal city of Cape Town aswell as Johannesburg, having also campaignedextensively in Kwazulu-Natal.

Looking at the production of haemoglobinfrom a practical point of view, Woodruff said,“You tend to have to work them harder ataltitude, in order to get a horse fitter it has toreach a stage where it is in oxygen debt.Incrementally, you will work the horse toreach this stage until it is fit enough to race,and at altitude horses need to be fitter to racebecause the oxygen content of the air is less.”

It stands to reason that a horse trained at



Bambina Stripes won the SA Filles Classic for trainer Dennis Drier


high altitude that will start going into oxygendebt at the two-furlong mark in Johannesburgmight still be debt free by the furlong mark atsea level.

Woodruff recalled that a champion hetrained, Argentinian import El Picha, had anaturally low “blood count” (haemoglobinmeasurement). He had won seven races inCape Town, including a Grade 3, by the timeWoodruff moved to Johannesburg. Woodruffreckoned that in El Picha’s first three monthsin Johannesburg, his blood count improved“out of sight.”

El Picha subsequently campaigned inDurban and finished a close third in the Grade2 Greyville 1900 before winning SouthAfrica’s most prestigious race, the Durban July,over 2200m.

Unlike Spies’ method, Woodruff kept himin Durban, with a five-week gap betweenraces. El Picha won Johannesburg’s mostprestigious race, the Summer Cup, and ransecond in the J&B Met at Cape Town beforebecoming the second horse in history to retainhis Durban July crown.

South African trainers have no doubt thathorses raiding the coast from the Highveld

work and less sharp, fast work. However,Dennis Drier, a many-times Kwazulu-Natalchampion trainer, campaigned inJohannesburg with great success in the2006/2007 season and hardly changed histraining methods.

“I never sprinted them further than 500metres,” he said. “The only thing I did changewas I cantered them further.”

Drier had twelve winners during this two-month campaign.

Another point of agreement is that coastalhorses campaigning on the Highveld hit a flatspot roundabout three weeks after arriving.

Drier said, “For the first three weeks of mycampaign all of them ran to the form Iexpected. But they hit a slight dip at the three-week mark. Some of them weren’t finishingtheir work and were a bit off their feed. Buttwo weeks later they were back to normalagain.”

Gavin Van Zyl, a ex-jockey who has hadtremendous success in his first few years as atrainer, is based at Summerveld in Kwazulu-Natal – 35km from Durban – and runs asatellite yard out of Turffontein inJohannesburg.

He said, “I was told by a top trainer that theflat spot starts at the 19-day mark. PersonallyI have found that the horses will be flatbetween the nineteenth and twenty-first day.”

Woodruff is adamant that it takes three tosix months for a horse to acclimatise inJohannesburg, unless the horse is a sprinter orsprint-miler. He cited a horse called ParadePrince, who had run eight times in Cape Townas a three-year-old in the 2008/2009 seasonwithout a win before arriving at hisJohannesburg yard.

He promptly won a 1450m maiden by fourlengths, then took six months to find his feetbefore winning five races, all over a mile, inthe next seven months.

Sean Tarry, second on the South AfricanNational trainer’s log last season behind Mikede Kock, is based in Johannesburg with asatellite yard in Durban. He said, “When goingup to the Highveld I’ve had somedisappointments after 14 days up to three

(the portion of South Africa’s inland plateauthat is above 1500m but below 2000m) are atan advantage.

Rhys van Wyk, a former top jockey, recalleda period when he was riding for Johannesburgtrainer Dianne Stenger. “We raided Durban 21times and won 19 times,” he said.

It is generally accepted that horsescampaigning at altitude need more long, slow

RACING

Ex-jockey Gavin Van Zyl trains out of Summerveld

“Some horses handlealtitude and others don’t. I had a horsecalled Saintly Lady thatwon a Grade 1 inJohannesburg, but couldn’t win a B divisionrace in Durban”

Alistair Gordon

“I was told by a toptrainer that the flat spotstarts at the 19-daymark. Personally I have found that the horses will be flatbetween the 19th and21st day”

Gavin Van Zyl

weeks, so I try and run them in the first week.”Tarry doesn’t alter his training methods

between centres. He said, “I train themaccording to what they need and try and workto the horse’s weight.”

Tarry said regarding horses going fromaltitude to sea level, “I’ve found the horse willhave an advantage up until at least five days ofthe travel, provided it traveled well.”

Van Zyl also has his theories of going fromthe Highveld to the coast.

This year he raided Durban with his formerSA Derby winner, Seal, and won the Grade 2Gold Vase over 3000m at Greyville. Seal wentback to the Highveld immediately after therace, returning three weeks later and runningthird in the country’s most prestigious stayingrace, the 3200m Ladbrokes Gold Cup.

Summerveld-based Alistair Gordon, one ofthe longest standing trainers in South Africa,said, “Sprinters are better off and up to a mileyou’ve got a chance. But there are no rules.Some horses handle altitude and others don’t.I had a horse called Saintly Lady that won aGrade 1 in Johannesburg, but couldn’t win aB division race in Durban. I’ve also won racesup to two miles on the Highveld. I rememberthe November Handicap (a Grade 1 over amile) once being postponed for a week due torain. The Durban horses had to stay up thereand should have had no chance according tothe theories, but still filled five of the first sixplaces.”

Woodruff pointed out that Summerveld,the biggest training centre in South Africa, isat an altitude of over 700m.

“It is already more than a third of thealtitude of Johannesburg and from there ahorse can get away with a run over anydistance,” he said. “I remember David Paynefinishing first, second, and third in the IGNGold Bowl over 3200m at Turffontein in the1980s.

“He took his most fancied couple, WhiteTie Affair and Sweet Secret, up for apreparation run over 1800m and left them upthere. He raided with the outsider of the party,Golden Peak, from Summerveld. Golden Peakwon (at odds of 25-1) beating White Tie Affair(evens) and Sweet Secret (20-1) into secondand third.” That result might also have provedWoodruff’s theories on acclimatisation inJohannesburg, which, as mentioned earlier, hefigured took three to six months.

Woodruff reckoned horses could need fiveto six weeks to recover merely from raidingthe Scottsville course in Pietermaritzburgfrom Durban, even though the altitude inPietermaritzburg is only 650m. “Horses takequite a chemical shunt at altitude whenraiding from the coast and need time tonormalise.”

This, coupled with the arduous journey ofclose to 1500km and the time horses need toacclimatise, is one of the reasons that CapeTown horses seldom campaign inJohannesburg.

Hypoxic training, developed by DonCarmody and Dina Alborano, uses simulatedhigh altitude conditions. An athletic trainerfor 20 years with a background in mechanicalengineering, Carmody built a gym for humanathletes, with a chamber that replicated theoxygen level of Mount Everest’s base camp.Alborano – his wife and a 5km Masters runner– subsequently improved from 23rd to secondin the world, cutting a minute off her time insix months.

The couple reckoned it should bringsimilar results for racehorses, considering theeasy 1971 Kentucky Derby win of CanoneroII, an outsider who had prepared for the raceat relatively high altitude in Venezuela.

They built climate-controlled horse stalls,with floor-to-ceiling kickboard, rubberisedwalls, a pure-air monitor, a power-failureventilation system, and generator limiters thatsimulate high-altitude training. AustralianNoel Daley, one of the top trainers in NorthAmerican harness racing, bought the first oneand began using hypoxic training for BroadBahn’s preparation six weeks before the $1.7million trotting classic, the Hambletonian, in2011.

The horse duly won the race. n

“Going from altitude tosea level is advantageousdue to the increased oxygen content of the air.If the horses stay at thecoast after their runsthey tend to go flat”

Corné Spies



MUCUS ANDAIRBORNE PARTICLES

New solutions for a performance-limiting problem40 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com ISSUE 40

VETERINARY

MUCUS ISSUE 40_Jerkins feature.qxd 30/11/2012 15:25 Page 1


MUCUS AND AIRBORNE PARTICLES

This horse may be benefitting from

fresh air but as doorways can be

areas of high traffic, particulate

material can accumulate in nearby

stalls



R MELISSA Millerck-Mayand colleagues havepublished two reports in theEquine Veterinary Journal, themost recent of which willappear in the January issue.

These researchers have at long last been ableto show a direct link between airborneparticulate matter and visible tracheal mucusin thoroughbred racehorses.

Mucus in the trachea (a.k.a. windpipe) andairway inflammation can be triggered bybacteria, viruses, and airborne irritants suchas pollen, dust, and moulds. Many horseswith mucus do not have active infection andthis prompted the Michigan researchers toinvestigate whether airborne particulatematter in the stable environment were linkedto mucus production and inflammatory cell

numbers. As most trainers know, the first signthat a horse has mucus can be a cough but inmany, the problem is not evident until it isexamined by endoscopy. Tracheal washes, orsamples of the material within the trachea,can be submitted for laboratory investigationsthat usually include counting the number ofinflammatory cells and culturing for bacteria.Occasionally samples are analysed forevidence of viral or other infections.

In humans it is known that inhalation ofparticles of less than ten micrometres (onemicrometre is one thousand of a millimetre),referred to as PM10 by the researchers, willcause inflammation of the airways and thishas been related to their metal content.PM2.5, even smaller particles that are lessthan 2.5 micrometres, make up a largerpercentage of the airborne particulate matter,and because of their large numbers and smallsize, collectively they have a large surface areaper unit mass, and as a result, these particlesare inherently more damaging to the airwaysthan the coarser particles.

Bacteria and their harmful by-products canstick to these small particles and add to theirinjurious effects on the respiratory tract. Inhumans, increases in PM2.5 are consistentlyassociated with increased severity ofrespiratory disease while increases in PM10tend to be linked to short-term, transientworsening of disease. Specific information onhow different particle sizes influencerespiratory tract of horses is not yet availablebut the Michigan group found that visiblemucus was associated with particles between0.7 and 2.0 micrometres in size.

Stable air quality is influenced by particlesoriginating from both outside and inside thestable. Sources inside include the forage,bedding, and stable dust while outside, roads,car parks, and woods can all be sources ofparticles.

Millerck-May and her colleagues usednovel methods to assess the stableenvironment. Traditional methods ofassessing air quality used stationary samplingpump/filter devices and Millerck-May’s groupwas the first to use particle concentration

Accumulation of mucus in the trachea is an incrediblycommon ailment in racehorses and it can significantlycompromise their performance. Since the early 18thcentury respiratory health has been linked to the stableenvironment, but researchers based at the College ofVeterinary Medicine at Michigan State University haverecently taken a fresh look at the problem, with fundingfrom the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. WORDS AND PHOTOS: CELIA MARR

TVETERINARY

Above left: Samples of

mucus are often

submitted for further

laboratory testing to

assess the numbers of

inflammatory cells and

look for bacteria or viral

products

Above right: under the

microscope, strands of

mucus are interlaced with

inflammatory cells

Left: Mucus is generally

diagnosed during

endoscopic examination,

or “scoping.” This horse

has a large stream of

mucus in the windpipe



MUCUS AND AIRBORNE PARTICLES


VETERINARY


With airway inflammation, the numbers of neutrophils will rise. This inflammatory

cell can be identified because its nucleus has a characteristic multilobed appearance

(arrows)

Above: This diagram shows how particle

concentration mapping creates a plan of

areas within stables that have the highest

concentrations of particles. Red represents

stalls with the high levels of particular

material; yellow intermediate and white,

low levels. Gray stalls were not examined.

Green = trainers office, blue arrows

indicated doorways. Reproduced with

permission from Equine Veterinary Journal,

2012, 45(1)

Below: Inside stables, forage, bedding and

stable dust are obvious sources of

particulate matter but outside, trees, woods,

roads and traffic important sources of

harmful particles that can be harder to limit

what horsemen have long known, thatventilation is critical for respiratory health.

However, open sides and high vaultedceilings also allowed the smallest particles,generated from roads and parking areas nearthe stables, to enter the building. Millerck-May reported that increased odds of visibletracheal mucus associated with stable andparticle concentration and numbers areprobably due to insufficient ventilation withinenclosed stables resulting in continualexposure to particles, whereas ventilation inopen-sided stables allows for more rapidsettling of particles.

Specific details of management practicesalso had important influences on air quality.These are the aspects that should be theeasiest for trainers to change. The stable thathad the highest particle concentrations hadstaff working for the longest periodthroughout the morning, thus creating greateropportunity for generation and dispersion ofparticles and at the same time reducing thelength between busy times during which theparticles could settle. This was also the onlystable that fed hay from nets.

Millerck-May noted “the hay was takenfrom the bale and shaken to loosen it before itwas packed into the hay nets and hung nearthe doorway of each stall. In order to eat fromthe net, horses pulled the hay-filled net intothe doorway, which both released particlesand probably obstructed air from entering thestall.”

One of the most fascinating aspects of thisstudy was that by allowing individual stalls tobe sampled, it was possible to show that someareas within a stable are more problematicthan others. In one of the stables, stallslocated at the centre of the barn had higherlevels, most likely because of lack of mixing of

mapping. This novel approach samples theenvironment at multiple sites and on multipleoccasions. In this way, a map of particleconcentration can be created to show exactlywhere within the facility the highestconcentrations of airborne particulate matterexist.

Millerck-May conducted particleconcentration mapping in three stables basedwithin a US thoroughbred racetrack, at threedifferent times of day and three different timesof year. Stable design, specific stalls, and timeof day and month all influenced the numbersand types of particles. Morning samples weretaken during the busiest times when horseswere being fed and groomed and stalls and walkways were being cleaned; at midday, when the stables were at their quietest; and inthe early evening, which coincided withfeeding and racing. Both the particle types, PM10 and PM2.5, were at their highest in the busy morning time.

In the latest Equine Veterinary Journal study,the researchers showed that stable, stall,month, and particle concentration were alllinked to the accumulation of tracheal mucus.By scoping 107 thoroughbred racehorses,they found that those 67% had visible mucus,and this was highest in September, thewarmest, driest month when 77% had mucus,and lowest in July, which was cool and dampand 54% had mucus. November, with amucus prevalence of 69%, was cold, snowy,and wet, and trainers had closed doors andwindows at that time.

Stable design is vitally important and thestable with the most modern design includingopenings along both long sides, high vaultedceilings, and large sliding doors had thelowest levels of larger particles and the lowestprevalence of visible mucus, emphasising


the air limiting dilution of the particles. Perhaps more surprisingly,stalls near the doors were also likely to have higher levels of particles.

The researchers proposed several reasons for this. Millerck-Maynoted that there was a lot of horse and human traffic through the doorsand vehicles stopped and started outside throughout the day, and amanure storage building was located near the door. At some times ofyear, large floor fans were used but because these were placed near thehigh-traffic manure handling area, the fans maybe contributed toparticle accumulation rather than reduced it.

In another barn, acentral group of stallshad high numbers oflarge particles presentin the afternoon,contrasting from otherareas where particlelevels were low in theafternoon. Theresearchers observedthat this area of thestable was used to cooldown horses bywalking them aroundthis central group ofstalls. Millerck-Maycommented that thisobservation was anexcellent example ofwhy one cannot gain agood understanding ofparticle concentrations in stables by simply using stationary samplersat one or two locations. There may be many factors that can cause highparticle concentration in a few stalls and very specific times of day.

The important message from this study is that the generation,accumulation, and dispersal of particulate material within and nearbystables involves complex processes influenced by stable design, localgeography, weather patterns, and stable management practices. Particleconcentration mapping can identify problem areas that if addressedshould benefit respiratory health. Reasons for these problem areas canbe explored, and remedial action taken. n


“The stable with themost modern designincluding openingsalong both long sides,high vaulted ceilings,and large sliding doorshad the lowest levels of larger particles and thelowest prevalence of visible mucus”

Horses in a barn at the British Racing School benefit from having

open windows at the back of each stall so they can take

advantage of the outdoor environment



PROFILE

RELATIVE VALUES THE GRAFFARDSHard graft paying off

Four years ago, Francis Graffard took the decision to moveback to his native France with his wife Lisa-Jane. In this,his first season as a trainer, he has already sent out 22winners including Group 3 winner Pearl Flute, collectingnearly €500,000 in prize money. WORDS: ISABEL MATHEW PHOTOS: APRH, ISABEL MATHEW

T HAS been an exciting start fordynamic couple, who met on SheikhMohammed’s inaugural Darley FlyingStart programme. “If you told me whenI was younger that things would turnout like this, it would have been a

dream come true,” Lisa-Jane says, who alsoworks as Darley’s racing representative inFrance.

Despite both having full time jobs, albeit inthe same industry, it often sees them indifferent parts of the country. However, it is atrue team effort that has seen such results.

This includes seven full time staff, “assistanttrainer” Nelson – the couple’s terrier – as wellas new chocolate Labrador recruit Hardy, whoin keeping with the yard’s youngsters is on alearning curve.

Both Francis and Lisa-Jane were beenbrought up around horses from an early age.Francis comes from Burgundy, the mecca forthe AQPS (French Chaser), a breed hisgrandfather bred. “He had a few mares when Iwas growing up, but I am the first member ofmy family to actually work in the industry.”

Lisa-Jane was also surrounded bythoroughbreds in Co. Tipperary where hermother Virginia still breeds. The latter isperhaps best known for raising five timeGroup 1 winner Vinnie Roe, who took theIrish St. Leger an outstanding four times forDermot Weld.

During his holidays, Francis gainedexperience with the likes of Jehan Betran deBalanda whilst working towards a degree inCommercial Law, following in his father’sfootsteps. “I think this has really helped mewith my choice of career, and it has openeddoors for me.”

Just one of these was the Flying Start,where his potential was spotted, along withLisa-Jane’s, to take part in the two-year

Icame up with Alain de Royer-Dupre, he didn’thesitate to follow in the paths of MikelDelzangles, Eric Libaud, and Stephane Wattel.“I initially decided to spend two seasons therebefore setting up on my own, but I wasn’tready, so I stayed another year.

“It put me back in a more hands onposition, and enabled me to gain a thoroughknowledge of Chantilly, the gallops, and makecontacts with farriers, vets and so on meaningthat I could choose from the best when Istarted.”

During his time with the Chantilly maestro,Graffard was associated with horses such asPrix du Jockey-Club winner Reliable Man, aswell as Group 1 winners Reggane, AlpineRose, and Americain.

“I learnt a lot from Alain, and his method oftraining. He is very patient, and knowsexactly how to read horses and treat them asindividuals. He gives them a steady routine,and is not scared to give them a bit of time ifthey need it.”

Finally the time was right for Graffard tostart up on his own. “I went to the OctoberSales at Deauville looking for clients because Iwas worried about not having many horses.Everyone said it was difficult to start inChantilly and I should begin in the provinces,but it’s here where I have the bestknowledge.”

scholarship. “It was a fantastic programmethat enabled me to travel and see the best ofeverything and make lots of contacts. It alsohelped me to meet my wife!”

Together they travelled and worked in theUnited States, Australia, Dubai, England, andIreland during this period. Francis also spenttime in Chantilly with 23-time ChampionFrench Trainer Andre Fabre.

At the end of the course, he then becameDarley’s racing representative in Britain. “Ispent four seasons in the role, and again it wasa fantastic way to see how different trainerswork, gain a thorough knowledge of racing inthe country, as well as meet a lot of people.”

Graffard knew he always wanted to returnto France however, and when an opportunity

“I learnt a lot fromAlain, and his method oftraining. He is verypatient, and knowsexactly how to readhorses and treat them asindividuals”

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RELATIVE VALUES


Graffard is currently based at a yard herents from the Artu family at Lamorlaye, just

next door to Chantilly.“I’m very lucky that I

have a very goodlandlady, and

they like having


me here. It is the perfect situation for me,close to the gallops with good facilities andturnout paddocks at the back.”

The Frenchman didn’t have to wait long forhis first winner, which came on his thirdattempt when Star of Bombay won on a coldwinter’s day in early January at Deauville. “Iwas lucky that I had a few older horses to startwith, so that gave me a boost.

“Alain and Mikel Delzangles really helpedme at the start of the season, letting me workmy horses with theirs, as otherwise it would

have been impossible. I really appreciatethat, and both have been verysupportive.”Star of Bombay is owned by Susie

McKeever, who is one of a multitude ofowners at the yard. Others include theNiarchos family, Magalen Bryant, RichardPegum, Jaber Abdullah, and SheikhMohammed Al Thani, his most prolific owner,who currently counts five horses with the 35-year-old.

During those few days in October, Graffardalso came across a yearling that was to becomehis future stable star Pearl Flute. “When DavidRedvers bought him on behalf of PearlBloodstock (for €42,000), I asked himwhether he had a trainer in mind.

“He said then that he thought they wouldprobably breeze him rather than put him intraining. I then saw David again at the CravenSales, and he said that he was going very well,

PROFILE

This active marketing has clearly paid off,as he reached an average of 30 horses thisseason. “Getting owners is one of the hardestparts of setting up, and it requires a big leapof faith to put your horses in trainingwith an unproven trainer.

“Without the clients it is hardto get started and I was humbledthat so many people hadconfidence in me. I owe my clientsa big debt of gratitude for the start theyhave given me.”

Stable juvenile star

Pearl Flute, winner

of the Prix des

Chenes

Francis Graffard with his wife Lisa-Jane and their two daughters, Victoria, aged two, and eight-month-old Scarlett




PROFILE

and if he didn’t make enough money at Saint-Cloud they would send him to me.”

Luck was on Graffard’s side as he made thesame as his yearling price, and Pearl Flutearrived at his yard in May. A month later thecolt made his debut in the Listed PrixYacowlef, which he swiftly won by two-and-a-half lengths.

It was a perfect start for the rookie trainer’scareer in what was his first runner in a stakesrace. “He has been a big advertisement for meover the season, because he has beenconsistent right from the start.”

This wasn’t Graffard’s only promisingprospect however, as two weeks later To MyValentine finished second in the Group 3 Prixdu Bois, whilst Zalim Bifov’s More Than Sotkawon a juvenile Listed contest at Vichy.

In September, Pearl Flute came up trumpsonce again when taking the Group 3 Prix desChenes at Longchamp. It was an emotionalmoment for the couple, who have two youngdaughters, Victoria, two, and eight-month-oldScarlett.

“I don’t have a lot to do with the day-to-daytraining,” Lisa-Jane says, “but obviouslymoments like that are unforgettable.”

She helps where possible, and tries to goout to see the horses in the mornings. “Lisa-Jane has two full-time jobs, one with Darley

and the other looking after the children, soshe doesn’t have much time in between!”Francis says.

He adds, “One thing that she is incrediblystrong on is the form of horses, as well as therace programme, so that really helps me.”Ever modest, Lisa-Jane thinks differently: “Idon’t help that much, and whilst we dodiscuss things, I hadn’t realised how much ofa trainer’s work goes on inside their head.”

In October, Pearl Flute was third, beaten alength, in the Group 1 Gran Criterium at SanSiro. “I was happy with his performance,however I think we should have won but hegot bumped on the far side and had to makeup ground.”

Just a week earlier he had been boughtback at Arqana’s Arc Sale for €380,000.“Obviously I am delighted to still have him inthe stable, and I hope he will progress oncemore over the winter. It is up to hisconnections, but he might go for somethinglike the German 2,000 Guineas.

“I think he has the physique that couldimprove again, and is perhaps not just a two-year-old as could have been easy to think. Noone would expect a Piccolo to stay a mile, buthe needs every bit of it.”

Graffard’s success hasn’t just been withjuveniles however, as half of his wins havecome with older horses. “It is natural that Ihave had a lot of two-year-olds, but I don’twant to be known only for that.

“I never expected to have so many winners,and one of my main philosophies is never tobe scared to run a horse if you think that he isready. I thought that it would be difficult tocompete at the top level, but I have been verylucky to have some very nice horses that havemade it easier.

“As I never had any real ambitions for myfirst season, I never felt any pressure frompeople judging me,” Graffard says, beforeadding, “Next year might be a different storyhowever, as I now have to continue and dobetter!” n

“I never expected to haveso many winners, andone of my main philosophies is never tobe scared to run a horseif you think that he isready”

Graffard with his first winner, Star of Bombay, at Deauville





MCLAUGHLIN admits hehasn’t had great luck withthroat surgeries in thepast. He lamented, “I justwish there was somethingelse we could do.”

Veterinary researchers and surgeons agreethat improvements are needed, which drivesthem to seek solutions to owners’ and trainers’pleas for better results.This article looks at the most up-to-date

information on how best to diagnose and treatroaring. Novel, promising treatment optionsthat can be used with the classic “tie-back”surgery are also discussed.

To roar or not to roarWhen you are standing on the rail in themorning, the sound of a roarer galloping pastyou is fairly distinctive. The sound is caused bythe left arytenoid cartilage (see sidebars)drooping into the opening of the larynx. Theunderlying cause of the problem is dysfunctionof the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. When thatnerve fails to function properly, it stopssignaling the left arytenoid cartilage to pullback during exercise. If a horse can’t moveenough air to the lungs during exercise – in thiscase because the arytenoid cartilage is blocking

“When vets scope, what we see is not alwayswhat is happening on the track. Even if theywere making noise on the track, if we scopethem right away the horse could be completelyabducted. If you scope them again 30-40minutes later then you may see the asymmetry,”said Hunt.By “asymmetry” Hunt means that the right

and left arytenoid cartilages are not opening inan either equal or symmetric manner. “Scoping the horse on a treadmill or using a

dynamic scope can give us a lot of information,”Hunt noted. Dynamic scoping involves breezing a horse

with a scope in the horse’s airway. It is avaluable tool that allows veterinarians to recordexactly how the throat is functioning under raceconditions. Scoping on a treadmill also remainsa viable option to help diagnose upper airwaydisorders that could be overlooked withstanding (resting) endoscopy. In the right hands, ultrasound is another

important diagnostic option. Cornell Universityresearchers used ultrasound in 154 horses witha history of poor performance due to upperairway disease. In their report, scheduled to bepublished in an upcoming edition of thejournal Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound,the authors concluded, “…ultrasound offers

It’s the roar of the crowds – not the roaring of his horses, that KiaranMcLaughlin, trainer of Invasor, 2007’s Horse of the Year, likes to hear. Asany experienced trainer will testify, however, throat problems like“roaring” are all too common. Roaring is one the most common causes ofrespiratory-related poor performance in thoroughbreds, and has thereforeattracted a great deal of interest from the equine community. Althoughsurgeries for roarers were first attempted over 150 years ago, the successrate remains less than ideal. WORDS: Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc PHOtOS: ROBIN PeteRSON

M

VETERINARY

airflow – they cannot perform their best. This iswhy roarers tend to fade or even stop duringthe latter part of a race.In contrast, the arytenoid cartilages in

normal horses abduct fully to allow a largevolume of air to move unobstructed throughthe throat.

In the eye of the beholderAs easy as an abnormal arytenoid cartilageshould be to recognize, it is not always astraightforward diagnosis. “It can be extremely challenging to diagnose

the cause of the noise,” explained James C.Hunt Jr., DVM, a private practitioner atBelmont Park in New York. Over the course ofDr. Hunt’s 30-year career, he has scopedthousands of horses, including Curlin, Invasor,and Rags to Riches. Hunt said, “For starters, the horse usually

needs to work or run at least five-eighths of amile before fatigue occurs and the roaringsound can be heard. Most people don’t breezefarther than that, so if you’re relying on yourears to detect a problem, you’re going to miss alot of roarers.”He went on to explain that a routine resting

“scope” (examination of the horse’s throat withan endoscope) can only tell you so much.

New thoughts on thoroughbredthroats


many advantages for diagnosing RLN in horses.Ultrasound is noninvasive, depicts a real-timeview of the tissues, and is widely available…Ultrasound should not be used as areplacement for endoscopy, but to help refinecase selection for dynamic endoscopicexamination either by treadmill or overgroundtesting.”Eric Parente, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, an associate

professor of surgery at the University ofPennsylvania’s New Bolton Center concurredwith Hunt regarding the importance ofproperly diagnosing the horse’s throat problem. “The first step to success is obtaining an

accurate diagnosis,” advised Parente.

Should the horse go for surgery?One of the most common questions thatowners and trainers ask veterinarians whenfaced with a roarer is, “Can they still race or dothey need to go for surgery?”Experts agree that just because a horse is

making noise does not mean they must headstraight to surgery: it depends on howasymmetric, or “lazy”, the left arytenoidcartilage is. McLaughlin mentioned, “We don’t tend to

do anything with horses with a lazy left cord [arytenoid cartilage] until it is

ROARERS

compromising their performance.”Parente advised, “When performance is

impacted, then it is time to consider surgeryeven if a resting endoscopic [“scope”] examshows they still have a lot of movement.” Timing of surgery is also important. Data

from a recent study showed that horses thatwere not completely paralyzed prior to surgeryreturned to a higher level of performance thanhorses that were completely paralysed. “There is no benefit of waiting until a horse

is completely paralyzed before pursuingsurgery if the horse’s performance begins to becompromised,” recommended Parente.

Don’t call it a comeback If you have ever trained or owned a roarer thenyou know that not all horses make it back to asuccessful racing career after surgery. “Thinking back over the years, I have had

minimal success. I haven’t had that many greattie-backs,” McLaughlin relayed. The tie-back is one of the most common

surgeries for roarers that literally involves “tyingback” the left arytenoid cartilage so it no longersags into the airway.Parente confirmed McLaughlin’s sentiment

noting, “Using a traditional tie-back technique,only 25-70% of surgeries are generallyconsidered ‘successful.’” Due to the fact that a traditional tie-back

costs approximately $3,000, the horse needsabout 4-6 weeks off for recovery, and onlyabout 50% of horses return to a successfulracing career, Parente devised a modifiedsurgical technique. His goal was to minimizesome of the common complications that occurpostsurgically. In addition to tying back the arytenoid

cartilage, Parente now also removes thecartilage in the cricoarytenoid joint (theconnection between the cricoid and arytenoidcartilages) to help keep the arytenoid cartilageabducted.

“There is no benefit ofwaiting until a horse iscompletely paralysedbefore pursuing surgeryif the horse’s performance begins to be compromised”

Eric Parente

As Parente described in a recent studypublished in the journal Veterinary Surgery,“We performed our modified tie-back surgeryon 70 thoroughbred racehorses. Whencompared to thoroughbreds that hadpreviously beat our treated horses (and weretherefore presumed to not be roarers), thetreated horses had the same number of racestarts and same dollars earned postsurgically.” In addition, all horses that underwent

Parente’s modified tie-back surgery raced atleast once, and all treated horses ultimatelycompeted for as long as the untreatedcontenders. “While still far from perfect, our technique

demonstrates a clear improvement,” notedParente. Norm G. Ducharme, DMV, MSc, Dipl. ACVS

and colleague Jon Cheetham, VetMB, PhD,Dipl. ACVS, both surgeons at CornellUniversity’s College of Veterinary Medicine inIthaca, NY also modified the traditional tie-back surgery. “We inject the cricoarytenoid joint of the

larynx with bone cement to help hold theairway in an open position, which helpsminimize loss of arytenoid abductionpostoperatively in horses undergoing a tie-back," Ducharme explained. In Ducharme’s hands, the success rate of a

tie-back is 70-75%.

Reasons for failure, concerningcomplicationsTie-backs fail for a number of reasons. One ofthe most common reasons is loss of the openingthat was created at the time of surgery. Forexample, the sutures that “tie-back” thearytenoid cartilage can fail (pull out), and thehorse’s airway again becomes obstructed. Asecond common problem with tie-backs isaspiration. If the arytenoid is tied back too farthen the airway is too large and food or water

VETERINARY


can go down the wrong pipe (i.e. down thetrachea to the lungs instead of down theesophagus to the stomach). Aspiration cancause the horse to cough and developrespiratory infections including pneumonia. Infact, approximately 50% of horses cough in thepostoperative period and 15% have persistentcoughing.“One problem is that we are taking what

should be a dynamic functional larynx andmaking it into a somewhat static structure. Inaddition, we are working with tissues that havesignificant variability to their shape andstiffness, making it difficult for surgeons toconstruct and maintain an open airway,”explained Parente.In an attempt to minimize the development

of aspiration pneumonia in treated horses,Parente (like other surgeons) only abducts thearytenoid cartilage 80-90% of the way in hismodified tie-back procedure. Problems in the lower airways (lung) can

also develop postsurgically. In a recent studypublished by veterinarians with the Hong KongJockey Club, the authors warn owners andtrainers to consider some of those secondarycomplications following a tie-back, not just“surgical success.” In that article (scheduled to be published in

the Equine Veterinary Journal), the authorsreported that 22 thoroughbred racehorseroarers who underwent a standard tie-backsurgery had shorter careers than the 44 controlhorses. They found:l 100% of the horses that underwent surgeryhad excessive tracheal mucus;

l 36% (8/22) also had at least one episode of bleeding (epistaxis, bleeding from those nose, exercise-induced pulmonaryhemorrhage, EIPH);

lOnly 32% (14/44) control horses had mucus;and

l Only 6.8% (3/44) bled.

Don’t write your horse off as a roarer withoutbeing fully evaluated by your vet. Intermittentdorsal displacement of the soft palate (IDDSP),also frequently causes upper respiratory noiseand is an important cause of poorperformance. The DDSP is treated by a tie-forward, which is different than the tie-back used to treat roarers.Other causes of upper respiratory noise and

problems in the throat area include:l Epiglottic entrapment;l Arytenoid chondritis (inflammation of thearytenoid cartilages);

l Pharyngeal or tracheal collapse or collapseof other structures of the throat/larynx;

l Epiglottic retroversion

OTHER BREATHING PROBLEMS

WORTH NOTING

As early as the 1850s, veterinarians have beentrying to surgically achieve and maintain alarge, stable, open airway during exercise. Avariety of techniques were used back then thatformed the basis of treatments that are stillused today.

“The Hobday” Devised over 100 years ago, involvesremoving the ventricles (ventriculectomy) inan attempt to stabilize the arytenoid cartilageand restore some function. The Hobday is stillperformed today, but often in concert withother procedures, such as removal of the vocalcords (ventriculocordectomy).

Tie-back (Prosthetic Laryngoplasty) Developed in the 1970s, the tie-back remainsthe mainstay of treatment today. The tie-backuses suture material to pull back the paralyzedarytenoid cartilage out of the larynx.Cordectomies (removal of the vocal cords) andvetr iculocordectomies can be performed inconcert with tie-backs. In some cases (failedcases), repeat tie-backs can be performed.

ArytenoidectomyFirst reported in 1866, arytenoidectomy(removal of some of the arytenoidcartilages/flapper) is sometimes used as aninitial treatment approach, although is oftenreserved for a second-line surgery in cases offailed tie-backs.

Laryngeal Reinnervation and GraftingCurrently, techniques to essentially “rebuild”the connection between the left recurrentlaryngeal nerve and the muscles that abductthe larynx are technically difficult and havenot achieve better success rates than the tie-back.

SUMMARY OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES

OF THROAT SURGERIES

ROARERS


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Horses that underwent surgery had fewer starts following the surgerythan racehorses which did not have surgery; however, no overalldifference in the stakes money earned was found between the twogroups of horses in this long-term study.The authors concluded, “Epistaxis in particular can lead to premature

retirement and shorter racing careers, especially in countries that havestrict regulatory regulations for this condition.”

Breathing success into the futureIn lieu of lasers and scalpels, Huisheng Xie, DVM, PhD, an associateclinical professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University ofFlorida, is using electroacupuncture to treat roarers. Electroacupunctureinvolves passing an electric current through needles inserted in specificpairs of acupuncture points. The electrical current presumablystimulates a larger area than ‘dry needling.’ In his report, the only study published to date on the use of any form

of acupuncture for roarers, Xie described performingelectroacupuncture on 18 thoroughbreds once weekly for betweenthree and seven sessions, depending on severity of the disease.“The grade of laryngeal disease improved in all the horses after

electroacupuncture therapy, and no side effects were observed,” wrotethe authors. “The results of this study suggest that electroacupuncturemay serve as an effective non-surgical method for the control oflaryngeal hemiplegia.”Cornell University

researchers areapproaching theroaring problem fromyet another angle with atechnique called,“functional electricalstimulation.” Therationale is to externallystimulate the musclesthat open the throat.When tested on sixadult horses, FESsignificantly improvedabduction of thearytenoid duringexercise. “Essentially, this is like a laryngeal pacemaker. This type of technique

can answer trainers’ wishes for new treatment options. Although notclinically available yet, a number of studies support FES, indicating thatFES is promising strategy for roarers,” said Ducharme.

Concluding thoughts“Because of the advancements in diagnostics, we [veterinarians] areboth further ahead and at a bit of a disadvantage. We can now detecteven slight deviations from normal but remain limited in ourknowledge of how to treat them,” noted Hunt.Parente concurred, recognizing his modified surgery remains a less

than perfect solution for roarers.“I believe the modified technique gives horses a better chance at

getting back to racing than the traditional tie-back, but I don’t think I’llfind it ‘acceptable’ until the success rate is 100%,” said Parente. “Fornow, the modified technique is the best we can do while we continue tostrive to find ways to further modify the technique and find other waysto minimize complications.”He added, “Owners and trainers need to appreciate and remember

that athletic competition is never about one factor. We can’t just fix thethroat to make the horse great. Some horses can compete successfullywith less than perfect throats because everything else is so good. Puttinga realistic face on the current condition of treatment is prudent.Understanding that we [surgeons] can usually provide significantbenefit but can’t make the horse ‘normal’ is probably a good place tostart.” n

“I believe the modifiedtechnique gives horses abetter chance at gettingback to racing than thetraditional tie-back, butI don’t think I’ll find it‘acceptable’ until thesuccess rate is 100%”

Eric Parente


NUTRITION

BRAN MASHESUseful tradition ornutritional pariah?

Bran mashes are perhaps one of the most traditionalelements of a feeding regime for a horse in race training.The attraction of this equine equivalent of a warm bowl of‘Ready Breck’ or cup of hot chocolate has endured despitethe many other changes in feeding practices over the years. WORDS: CatheRine Dunnett BSC, PhD, R.nutR PhOtOS: BOB LanGRiSh

N ITS most common form a bran mashconsists of a warm sloppy mixture ofwheat bran, with other minoringredients such as rolled barley,linseed, vegetable oil, honey, molassesor date syrup often being added. The

exact recipe for a particular yard’s bran mashis often a closely guarded secret, beingregarded as part of a winning formula, and itcould have been handed down through thegenerations of trainers. Traditionally a warm‘mash’ has been offered to horses followinghard exercise, or sometimes just once a weekon the day of no or limited exercise, which iscommonly a Sunday. Some of the oldest horsemanship texts give

us insight into the rationale for a bran mash aspart of a racing diet. Bran mashes were seen ashaving a purgative or laxative effect and sowere used in the belief that they would help tocleanse the digestive tract and maintain thenormal movement of the gut, thus preventingimpactions following hard exercise andduring days of rest. Bran mashes have alsobeen used to encourage normal eating andwater intake during periods where appetitemay be suppressed such as in sick horses,following surgery, or simply after racing orhard days of work. They have also been usedas a method for introducing medications orother additives given on a periodic basis. Inclinical settings, wheat bran is also combinedwith paraffin oil in an attempt to soften faecesand help resolve early stage impactions withinthe digestive tract, although in thisapplication the wheat bran really only servesas the carrier for the paraffin oil, which can ofcourse be introduced by the veterinarian vianasogastric tube.When evaluating the usefulness of wheat

bran mashes, we need to consider the mainnutritional characteristics of this ingredient

Ifibrous outer layer of cereals including wheatbran can harbour undesirable mycotoxins.Nutritionally wheat bran is high in fibre,

which has a relatively low digestibility. It isalso comparatively high in protein, but thestarch content is relatively low, as most of thestarch would be located in the grain portionof the wheat itself. Wheat bran provides a lowlevel of digestible energy and also has a low

and evaluate whether it’s suitable for the job.Wheat bran, as the name suggests, is a by-product of the production of flour fromwheat, made from the high fibre outer layersof wheat, whereas wheat feed or wheatmiddlings, which are widely used in horsefeed pellets, contain much more of the innerlayers of wheat including some germ andendosperm. From a negative viewpoint the

f

Nutritional Characteristic Unit Wheat bran Wheat feed

Protein % 15.5 16.5

Oil % 3.5 4.5

Crude Fibre % 11.0 7.5

NDF Fibre % 45.4 32.0

ADF Fibre % 13.4 9.9

Ash % 6.0 4.5

Starch % 16.0 23.0

Energy (DE) MJ/kg) 9.5 11.0

Calcium (Ca) % 0.12 0.1

Phosphorus (P) % 1.15 0.95

Ca/P ratio 0.1:1 0.1:1

NUTRITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS 1

BRAN MASH ISSUE 40_Jerkins feature.qxd 30/11/2012 15:44 Page 1


BRAN MASHES

bulk density, and so it is able to absorb largeamounts of water or other liquid. As withmost cereals and their by-products, wheatbran is very low in calcium and comparativelyhigh in phosphorus giving a most unsuitablecalcium-to-phosphorus ratio.The perceived laxative effect of wheat bran

in horses probably reflects its use in humannutrition. Our digestive tract does not havethe well-developed fibre fermenting capacityof a horse’s. In people, the insoluble fibre fromwheat bran travels through our digestive tractlargely unchanged and so adds bulk to thefaeces giving rise to its reputation for ‘keepingyou regular.’ Horses have a superior fibre fermenting

capacity and studies to date have notconfirmed a similar laxative effect. In factsome research at Cornell University in the USfailed to show any change in faecal moisturewhen the concentrate feed was replaced by50% wheat bran fed alongside hay.Additionally, in terms of fibre intake, wheatbran is not that spectacular and certainlymany other ingredients – such as hay, alfalfa, and oats – would offer a higher fibrecontent.The strengths of the traditional bran mash

probably lies in its palatability and thereforeits use to encourage eating, where appetite issuppressed. Improvement of water intake,when voluntary drinking is reduced, isanother potential benefit. However, there are two big negatives to

bran mashes that have demonised their usewith nutritionists worldwide, the first beingthe appalling calcium-to-phosphorus delivery.Being pragmatic, bran mashes are rarely givenin isolation and are usually fed as part of awell-balanced ration. Equally, it is a relativelysimple task to add a little limestone to thehistorical bran mash recipe in order to rectifythis calcium-to-phosphorus situation,although the high level of phosphorus in theform of phytate may reduce the absorption ofother minerals in the diet.Nutritionists also get very excited about the

potential negative impact of the periodicallyfed bran mash on the microbial balance of thehindgut. A disruption to the normal balanceof microflora in the hindgut is vey undesirableand may increase the risk of digestivedisturbance. However, hindgut microbesgenerally respond badly to abrupt changes towhat is being fed and so in some ways regulardaily use of a bran mash may be moreappropriate. It is possible to produce a bran mash recipe

that has a balanced calcium-to-phosphorusratio and which introduces other desirableingredients such as Omega-3 rich full-fatlinseed. When fed daily as part of the normaldiet, a mash of this type is unlikely to upsetthe microbial balance and may offer somebenefits in terms of feed and water intake infussy feeders, although is unlikely to have any significant effect on faecal bulk orregularity. n

Nutritional IEN

Characteristic Unit bran mash

Protein % 15.5

Oil % 10.5

Crude Fibre % 8.2

Ash % 9.5

Starch % 14.0

Energy (DE) MJ/kg) 12.0

Calcium (Ca) % 1.9

Phosphorus (P) % 0.8

Ca/P ratio 2.2:1

NUTRITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS 2

Wheat bran 300g

Micronised full fat linseed 150g

Oats 50g

Honey 25g

Limestone 25g

Total per day 550g *

*Add warm water to provide a warm

sloppy feed

BRAN MASH RECIPE EXAMPLE

BRAN MASH ISSUE 40_Jerkins feature.qxd 30/11/2012 15:44 Page 2

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Correctly fitted, thenew Fast Break ExtraSound front shoe canimprove break-overon a long toedthoroughbred hoofcapsule, withouthaving to overdressthe hoof wall whichcan leave the hoofweaker and prone toover expansion.

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This innovative shoe also has an improved design bevel around thetoe and right back to the heel quarters which allows the hoof to breakover more quickly, reducing the strain on the flexor tendons andligaments down the back of the leg. This shoe will also reducepressure to the back of the hoof capsule which can result in corns.

As well as the improved features at the toe of the shoe, this platealso includes many of the designs you find in the popular ExtraSound plate. Strong Radius quarter clips which are easy to fit andallow the plate to be fitted under the toe. The wide webbed sectionhelps to distribute energy across a larger area of the hoof, while thenew concaved section provides better grip and sole relief to reducepressure while the hoof is weight bearing.

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ADVERTORIAL


European Trainer Suppliers’ Guide

ADVERTORIAL


It has been a summer that has put a premium on the quality ofbedding for all equestrian professionals. Waterlogged fields havebrought a sharp rise in the normal hoof problems and an evensharper rise in the incidence of serious diseases such asonychomycosis; mangled paddockshave meant more time for morehorses in the stable.

In these testing circumstances,BEDMAX has stepped up our researchinto the key areas of equine health andwelfare that can be significantly affectedby bedding, looking for scientific proofto support the evidence of experiencethat persuades so many trainers, equinevets and clinics, farriers, eventorganisers, competitors and owners touse our shavings.

Dust and sporesEliminating dust and spores in the stable remains the biggest factorfor trainers and vets in the UK, and for our growing customer basein Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong. Scientific proof of thedamage that dust from bedding can do to a stabled horse’srespiratory system go back to the 1980’s, but leaders in this areasuch as the Royal (Dick) Veterinary School and Equine Hospital inEdinburgh are still adding to our knowledge of just how importantit is to choose a dust free bedding – and the fact that they havebeen using BEDMAX for the past 10 years is still the best proof thatthe words ‘DUST FREE’ on our bags actually mean what they say.

Hoofcare and HocksEliminating dust is also the absolute priority for the trainers andthe world class veterinary and farriery services operating in thedemanding environment of Hong Kong. But for an increasingnumber of trainers there, hoofcare and joint protection are almostas important, and a growing driver in the use of BEDMAX shavings.

Larger shavings provide a more even bed, more support under thehoof and cushioning for vulnerable hocks, they drain moisturefrom the surface, and their controlled moisture levels help toprevent hooves drying out.

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Testing VALUEThis rain-drenched summer has also been a perfect season for us totest the value of our bedding against some of the most popularcompetitors. So we commissioned three independent professionalyards to use BEDMAX, by-product shavings and wood fibrebedding over an eight-week period. The combined results showedthat these stables needed up to 20% less BEDMAX to make andmaintain a top quality bed over the two months. Eliminating dust,safeguarding hooves and protecting hocks are essential, butachieving that at a lower cost is clearly a bonus for trainers – andtheir owners.

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Finding the science behind the best bedding

A trainer with a yard of 40 horses in full work could

expect to spend approximately £3,500-£4,500

(€4,400-€5,600) monthly on a racehorse mix

(excluding forage and supplements). So,

unsurprisingly many are now considering the option

of feeding straights, typically oats, rather than pre-

mixed (compound) feeds. Fed correctly oats can be a

nutritionally sound, economical alternative. However,

trainers should also be aware of the potential ‘pit-falls’

with this type of feeding regime.

Oats can seem a cheaper option, but they leave

the trainer responsible for ensuring the horse gets all

the correct nutrients. Although oats contain about 12-

13% protein, the quality of the protein is poor and

feeding oats alone will not meet the protein needs of

horses in training. In addition, oats are very low in

calcium but high in phosphorous, the opposite of

what is required for bone health. Another concern is

that oats have a low dietary cation anion balance

(DCAB) and this can negatively affect bone health.

In order to balance oats the horse must receive

additional sources of dietary protein, vitamins and

minerals. The simplest way to achieve this is by

feeding a specific oat balancer (e.g. Dodson & Horrell

Racing Balancer). Oat balancers may appear to be

expensive (£12-15 (€15-19)/20kg bag), however this

is offset by the lower cost of the oats and the low

amount of oat balancer fed daily. Alternatively, oats

can be balanced by feeding alfalfa (e.g. Dodson &

Horrell Alfalfa Oil Plus) and a high specification

vitamin and mineral supplement (e.g. Dodson &

Horrell Performance Vitamins & Minerals). Alfalfa is a

good source of protein and calcium, and has the

added advantage of having a high DCAB value.

Another factor to consider when feeding straights

is quality control. Natalie Fallon, Laboratory Manager

at Dodson & Horrell explains, ‘We test all our raw

materials and finished feed rigorously, not only for

their nutritional content, but also for the absence of

harmful substances such as mycotoxins and naturally

occurring prohibited substances (NOPS) such as

morphine’.

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced when

grains become mouldy and they are a particular

concern this year because of the wet weather during

harvest. Mycotoxins can only be detected by

laboratory tests and so trainers buying cereals

straight from the field may unknowingly be exposing

their horses to them. Experts warn that even low

level mycotoxicosis can impact on the racehorse’s

health and performance, leading to problems such as

respiratory disease, poor appetite and increased

incidences of infections. Trainers should also be

concerned about the risk of NOPS, particularly as

contaminated feed has been the cause of horses

failing drug-tests in the past.

Trainers buying straights, especially those sourced

direct from farmers are well advised to test for the

presence of a full range of mycotoxins and NOPS.

However, these tests are expensive, around £500-

680 (€625-850)/sample and this can quickly swallow

up the savings made by feeding straight oats rather

than a fully tested compound feed.

In conclusion, switching from a racehorse mix to

an oat-based feeding regime can save around £5

(€6.25)/horse weekly. But remember that feeding

straights does mean that more time needs to be

spent preparing the feed and this additional labour

cost, and margin for error, should not be overlooked.

More importantly there is also an increased risk of

exposure to mycotoxins and NOPS. Taking all things

into account generally the safest, most economical

way to feed horses in training is to choose a

complete cubed feed from a NOPS approved feed

manufacturer.

Cost/ day/horse*Oats, Alfalfa & Vitamin & Mineral Supplement £2.82

Racehorse Cube £2.94

Oats & Oat Balancer £3.07

Racehorse Mix £3.58

*figures are a guide only and will vary according to

supplier, quantity ordered etc.

For more information visit - www.dodsonhorrell.com


PRODUCT FOCUS


Is feeding straights toracehorses a good option?

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USA Santa Anita La Brea St Gr 1 26-Dec-12 “$300,000” 3YO F D 1400 7 13-Dec-12USA Santa Anita Malibu St Gr 1 26-Dec-12 “$300,000” 3YO D 1400 7 13-Dec-12USA Santa Anita Santa Monica St Gr 1 26-Jan-13 “$300,000” 4+ FM D 1400 7 17-Jan-13USA Gulfstream Park Hutcheson St Gr 2 02-Feb-13 “$150,000” 3 D 1400 7 19-Jan-13USA Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Sprint Gr 2 09-Feb-13 “$150,000” 4+ D 1400 7 26-Jan-13USA Santa Anita San Vicente St Gr 2 17-Feb-13 “$150,000” 3 D 1400 7 07-Feb-13USA Santa Anita San Carlos St Gr 2 23-Feb-13 “$200,000” 4+ D 1400 7 14-Feb-13USA Gulfstream Park Inside Information Gr 2 17-Mar-13 “$150,000” 4+ F&M D 1400 7 02-Mar-13

FR Deauville Luthier L 14-Dec-12 “€ 52,000” 3+ AWT 1500 7.5ITY Pisa Criterium di Pisa L 09-Dec-12 “€ 41,800” 2 T 1500 7.5

USA Santa Anita Sir Beaufort St Gr 2 26-Dec-12 “$150,000” 3 T 1600 8 13-Dec-12UAE Meydan Al Maktoum Challenge Rd 1 Gr 2 10-Jan-13 “$250,000” NH 4yo+ SH 3yo+ AWT 1600 8 07-Jan-13UAE Jebel Ali Jebel Ali Mile Gr 3 25-Jan-13 “AED 700,000” SH 3 + NH 4+ D 1600 8 20-Jan-13UAE Meydan Cape Verdi Gr 2 24-Jan-13 “$200,000” NH F&M 4yo+ SH F&M 3yo+ T 1600 8 21-Jan-13USA Santa Anita Arcadia St Gr 2 02-Feb-13 “$150,000” 4+ T 1600 8 24-Jan-13UAE Meydan Zabeel Mile Gr 2 02-Mar-13 “$250,000” NH 3yo+ SH 3yo+ T 1600 8 25-Jan-13UAE Meydan UAE 1000 Guineas L 07-Feb-13 “$250,000” NH 3F SH 3F AWT 1600 8 04-Feb-13USA Santa Anita Buena Vista St Gr 2 18-Feb-13 “$150,000” 4+ FM T 1600 8 07-Feb-13UAE Meydan Firebreak St Gr 3 14-Feb-13 “$200,000” SH-bred 3+ & NH-bred 4+AWT 1600 8 11-Feb-13UAE Meydan UAE 2000 Guineas Gr 3 14-Feb-13 “$250,000” NH 3yo SH 3yo AWT 1600 8 11-Feb-13USA Santa Anita Las Virgenes St Gr 1 02-Mar-13 “$250,000” 3 F D 1600 8 16-Feb-13USA Santa Anita Frank E. Kilroe Mile Gr 1 02-Mar-13 “$300,000” 4+ T 1600 8 16-Feb-13UAE Meydan Al Fahidi Fort Gr 2 21-Feb-13 “$250,000” NH 4yo+ SH 3yo+ T 1600 8 18-Feb-13USA Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park H Gr 2 09-Mar-13 “$300,000” 4+ D 1600 8 23-Feb-13UAE Meydan Meydan Classic L 28-Feb-13 “$150,000” NH 3yo+ SH 3yo+ T 1600 8 25-Feb-13UAE Meydan Burj Nahaar Gr 3 09-Mar-13 “$200,000” NH 4yo+ SH 3yo+ AWT 1600 8 04-Mar-13UAE Meydan Godolphin Mile Gr 2 30-Mar-13 “$1,000,000” NH 4yo+ SH 3yo+ AWT 1600 8 25-Mar-13ITY Siracusa Criterium Mediterraneo (ex Ippodromi e Citta) L 08-Dec-12 “€ 41,800” 2 T 1600 8

USA Santa Anita San Pasqual St Gr 2 05-Jan-13 “$150,000” 4+ D 1700 8.5 28-Dec-12USA Santa Anita San Fernando St Gr 2 12-Jan-13 “$150,000” 4 D 1700 8.5 04-Jan-13USA Santa Anita Robert B. Lewis St Gr 2 02-Feb-13 “$200,000” 3 D 1700 8.5 24-Jan-13USA Gulfstream Park Donn H Gr 1 09-Feb-13 “$500,000” 4+ D 1700 8.5 26-Jan-13USA Santa Anita Santa Maria St Gr 2 16-Feb-13 “$200,000” 4+ FM D 1700 8.5 07-Feb-13USA Fair Grounds Risen Star S Gr 2 23-Feb-13 “$400,000” 3 D 1700 8.5 09-Feb-13USA Gulfstream Park Davona Dale St Gr 2 23-Feb-13 “$250,000” 3 F D 1700 8.5 09-Feb-13USA Tampa Bay Downs Tampa Bay Derby Gr 2 09-Mar-13 “$350,000” 3 D 1700 8.5 23-Feb-13USA Santa Anita San Felipe St Gr 2 09-Mar-13 “$300,000” 3 D 1700 8.5 28-Feb-13USA Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Oaks Gr 2 30-Mar-13 “$500,000” 3 F D 1700 8.5 16-Mar-13USA Santa Anita Santa Anita Oaks Gr 1 06-Apr-13 “$300,000” 3 F D 1700 8.5 28-Mar-13USA Hollywood Park Hollywood Starlet Gr 1 08-Dec-12 “$500,000” 2 F D 1700 8.5 CLOSEDUSA Hollywood Park CashCall Futurity Gr 1 15-Dec-12 “$750,000” 2 D 1700 8.5 CLOSEDUSA Oaklawn Park Rebel S Gr 2 16-Mar-13 “$600,000” 3 D 1700 8.5USA Oaklawn Park Fantasy S Gr 2 10-Apr-13 “$400,000” 3 F D 1700 8.5

USA Santa Anita San Gabriel St Gr 2 13-Jan-13 “$150,000” 4+ T 1800 9 04-Jan-13USA Santa Anita Robert J. Frankel St Gr 2 30-Dec-12 “$150,000” 3+ F&M T 1800 9 20-Dec-12USA Santa Anita Santa Anita Derby Gr 1 06-Apr-13 “$7,500,000” 3 D 1800 9 22-Dec-12USA Santa Anita La Canada St Gr 2 20-Jan-13 “$150,000” 4 F D 1800 9 10-Jan-13BAR Garrison Savannah XXXII Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup Gr 1 02-Mar-13 “$102,500” 3+ T 1800 9 11-Jan-13

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RACESRaces are divided by distance and the relevant surface is indicated as follows:AWT - All Weather Track D - Dirt T - TurfEuropean counties covered in this issue are: Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden andUnited Kingdom. The indexes also include Grade 1 races from North America as well major races fromAustralia and Japan.

CLOSING DATESClosing dates for all Irish races are set for international entry dates. For certain races, Irish trained horses, maybe able to enter after the published dates. Please check dates with the relevant issue of The Racing Calendar.All main French races have been given an eight day closing date with provincial races set to a ten day closing

date. The Italian authority (UNIRE) do not publish closing dates for Listed races but we have been advised toset each race closing date ten days in advance of the race.

COPYRIGHTUnder Copyright law, no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by anymeans. This includes but not limited to; photocopying for commercial redistribution and or facsimile recordingwithout the prior permission of the copyright holder, application for which should be addressed to the publisher.

DISCLAIMERWhilst every effort has been made to publish correct information, the publishers will not be held liable for anyomission, mistake or change to the races listed in all published indexes.

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Country Track Race Name & (Sponsor) Class Race Date Value Age Surface Metres Furlongs ClosingUSA Gulfstream Park Florida Derby Gr 1 30-Mar-13 “$1,000,000” 3 D 1800 9 12-Jan-13USA Santa Anita Strub St Gr 2 02-Feb-13 “$200,000” 4 D 1800 9 24-Jan-13USA Santa Anita San Antonio St Gr 2 03-Feb-13 “$200,000” 4+ D 1800 9 24-Jan-13USA Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Turf H Gr 1 09-Feb-13 “$300,000” 4+ T 1800 9 26-Jan-13UAE Meydan Al Rashidiya Gr 2 31-Jan-13 “$200,000” NH 4yo+ SH 3yo+ T 1800 9 28-Jan-13USA Gulfstream Park Fountain Of Youth St Gr 2 23-Feb-13 “$400,000” 3 D 1800 9 09-Feb-13UAE Meydan Balanchine Gr 2 21-Feb-13 “$200,000” NH F&M 4yo+ SH F&M 3yo+ T 1800 9 18-Feb-13UAE Meydan Jebel Hatta Gr 1 09-Mar-13 “$300,000” NH 4yo+ SH 3yo+ T 1800 9 04-Mar-13USA Santa Anita Santa Margarita St Gr 1 07-Mar-13 “$300,000” 4+ FM D 1800 9 07-Mar-13USA Santa Anita Santa Anita St Gr 2 24-Mar-13 “$150,000” 4+ F&M T 1800 9 14-Mar-13USA Fair Grounds Louisiana Derby Gr 2 30-Mar-13 “$1,000,000” 3 D 1800 9 16-Mar-13USA Fair Grounds Mervin H Muniz Jr Memorial Gr 2 30-Mar-13 “$400,000” 4+ T 1800 9 16-Mar-13USA Fair Grounds New Orleans H Gr 2 30-Mar-13 “$400,000” 4+ D 1800 9 16-Mar-13USA Gulfstream Park The Gulfstream Oaks Gr 2 30-Mar-13 “$300,000” 3 F D 1800 9 16-Mar-13UAE Meydan Dubai Duty Free Gr 1 30-Mar-13 “$5,000,000” NH 4yo+ SH 3yo+ T 1800 9 25-Mar-13USA Oaklawn Park Arkansas Derby Gr 1 13-Apr-13 “$1,000,000” 3 D 1800 9USA Oaklawn Park Oaklawn H Gr 2 13-Apr-13 “$500,000” 4+ D 1800 9

UAE Meydan Al Maktoum Challenge Rd 2 Gr 3 07-Feb-13 “$250,000” NH 4yo+ SH 3yo+ AWT 1900 9.5 04-Feb-13UAE Meydan UAE Oaks Gr 3 28-Feb-13 “$250,000” NH 3F SH 3F AWT 1900 9.5 25-Feb-13UAE Meydan Al Bastakiya L 09-Mar-13 “$250,000” NH 3yo SH 3yo AWT 1900 9.5 04-Mar-13UAE Meydan UAE Derby Gr 2 30-Mar-13 “$2,000,000” NH 3 SH 3 AWT 1900 9.5 25-Mar-13FR Deauville Petite Etoile L 05-Dec-12 “€ 55,000” 3 F AWT 1900 9.5

UAE Jebel Ali Jebel Ali Stakes L 11-Jan-13 “AED 500,000” SH 3 + NH 4+ D 1950 9.75 06-Jan-13

GB Lingfield Park Quebec St L 22-Dec-12 “£33,000” 3+ AWT 2000 10 17-Dec-12UAE Meydan Dubai World Cup Gr 1 30-Mar-13 “$10,000,000” NH 4yo+ SH 3yo+ AWT 2000 10 18-Jan-13USA Santa Anita San Marcos St Gr 2 09-Feb-13 “$150,000” 4+ T 2000 10 31-Jan-13UAE Meydan Al Maktoum Challenge Rd 3 Gr 1 09-Mar-13 “$400,000” NH 4yo+ SH 3yo+ AWT 2000 10 04-Feb-13USA Santa Anita Santa Anita H’cap Gr 1 03-Mar-13 “$750,000” 4+ D 2000 10 16-Feb-13USA Santa Anita Santa Barbara H’cap Gr 2 20-Apr-13 “$150,000” 4+ FM T 2000 10 11-Mar-13

USA Gulfstream Park Mac Diarmida Gr 2 16-Feb-13 “$150,000” 4+ T 2200 11 02-Feb-13ITY Pisa Andred (ex Regione Toscana) L 09-Dec-12 “€ 41,800” 3+ F&M T 2200 11

ITY Naples Unire L 23-Dec-12 “€ 41,800” 3+ T 2250 11.25

ITY Siracusa Francesco Faraci L 01-Dec-12 “€ 41,800” 3+ T 2300 11.5

USA Hollywood Park Hollywood Turf Cup Gr 1 15-Dec-12 “$250,000” 3+ T 2400 12 06-Dec-12USA Gulfstream Park Pan American Gr 2 23-Mar-13 “$150,000” 4+ T 2400 12 09-Mar-13USA Santa Anita San Luis Rey St Gr 2 16-Mar-13 “$150,000” 4+ T 2400 12 17-Mar-13UAE Meydan Dubai Sheema Classic Gr 1 30-Mar-13 “$5,000,000” NH 4yo+ SH 4yo+ T 2400 12 25-Mar-13UAE Meydan Dubai City of Gold Gr 2 09-Mar-13 “$250,000” NH 4yo+ SH 4yo+ T 2400 12 25-Mar-13FR Toulouse Max Sicard L 09-Dec-12 “€ 60,000” 3+ T 2400 12

UAE Meydan Nad Al Sheba Trophy L 02-Mar-13 “$200,000” SH-bred 3+ & NH-bred 4+ T 2800 14 25-Mar-13USA Santa Anita San Juan Capistrano H’cap Gr 2 21-Apr-13 “$150,000” 4+ T 2800 14 11-Apr-13

UAE Meydan DRC Gold Cup Gr 3 30-Mar-13 “$1,000,000” 4+ T 3200 16 25-Mar-13

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European Trainer - Winter 2012 - Issue 40