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Racing performance of juvenile Thoroughbreds with femoropatellar osteochondrosis at auction: A retrospective
Pearce B Sloan1, Brad White1, Elizabeth M Santschi1
1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA.
Insights
Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) in young Thoroughbreds negatively impacts racing performance, with affected horses showing decreased metrics like starts and placings. This study highlights the condition’s effect on future racing careers.
Area of Science:
- Equine Sports Medicine
- Veterinary Orthopedics
- Thoroughbred Racing Industry
Background:
- Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) is a prevalent condition affecting the femoropatellar joint in young Thoroughbred horses.
- There is ongoing debate regarding the impact of femoropatellar OCD on the racing performance of Thoroughbreds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize femoropatellar OCD in juvenile Thoroughbreds.
- To compare the racing performance of Thoroughbreds with femoropatellar OCD to their siblings and unaffected controls from the same auction cohort.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case-control study involving juvenile Thoroughbreds born between 2010 and 2016.
- Radiographic reports from Thoroughbred auctions were reviewed to identify cases of femoropatellar OCD.
- Racing performance data was collected and analyzed, comparing affected horses to sibling and age/sex-matched controls.
Main Results:
- Femoropatellar OCD was identified in 429 horses with race records, predominantly on the lateral trochlear ridge.
- Horses with OCD exhibited statistically significant, albeit minor, reductions in racing metrics, including years raced, total starts, and placings.
- Weak correlations were found between specific lesion characteristics and performance outcomes, limiting definitive conclusions.
Conclusions:
- Femoropatellar OCD in juvenile Thoroughbreds intended for auction is associated with diminished racing performance.
- The study underscores the importance of considering OCD's impact on the long-term racing potential of young Thoroughbreds.
- Further research is needed to fully understand lesion-performance correlations, given the limitations of retrospective case management data.
Background:
Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) is common in the femoropatellar joint in Thoroughbred yearlings for sale at auction and there is no consensus on the effect on racing outcomes.
Objectives:
Describe femoropatellar OCD in juvenile Thoroughbreds and compare the racing performance of affected Thoroughbred horses to siblings and unaffected horses from the same sale.
Study Design:
Retrospective case-control study of juvenile horses born 2010-2016.
Methods:
Radiographic reports from 27 Thoroughbred auctions of weanling (5-11 months of age) and yearling (12-22 months of age) horses were reviewed to identify femoropatellar OCD. Age and sex of cases and controls were obtained from the sales catalogue. Racing performance was obtained from an online database. Correlation between lesion characteristics and racing performance were assessed using Pearson and Spearman correlations for continuous and ordinal/categorical variables respectively. Racing performance was compared between cases and sibling controls and age- and sex-matched sale number controls from the same sale with Poisson distribution and log link. Significance level of alpha = 0.05 was used.
Results:
Femoropatellar OCD was identified in 429 horses with North American race records. OCD was present on 519 lateral trochlear ridges and 54 medial trochlear ridges. There were more males in the case group (70%) than in the sibling control group (47%). Case racing performance was compared to 1042 sibling and 757 hip controls. There were significant but small decreases in racing metrics of cases and increases in males for years raced, total starts, starts for 2-5 years of age, total placings, and placings at 2-4 years of age. Analysis of specific lesion metrics revealed weak correlations for performance outcomes (positive and negative) resulting in an inability to draw firm conclusions.
Main Limitations:
Retrospective study where case management was unknown.
Conclusions:
Femoropatellar OCD in juvenile Thoroughbreds for sale at auction decreases some racing outcomes.
