BleederDatafromtheHongKongJockeyClub–Brian.PDFVIP

A Summary of ‘Bleeder’ Data from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Brian Stewart Hong Kong Jockey Club 1 Why Hong Kong Statistics? • Closed, highly regulated racing population. • Very high level of veterinary regulatory scrutiny and compulsory reporting. • Enthusiastic, well informed, passionate and demanding customers. • Comprehensive and thorough veterinary incident data collection. • The ideal ‘Racetrack Laboratory’ 2 Post-Race Regulatory Veterinary Examinations. • Horses that perform below expectations or that show signs that something may be amiss in running are sent for regulatory veterinary examinations performed immediately after the race and repeated on the morning of the day after racing. • Inspection / Auscultation / Endoscopic exam (post-race only) and trot up. 3 Post-Race Regulatory Veterinary Inspections. • Performed on about ~10% of runners at request of the Stipendiary Stewards. • Positive findings in ~20% of inspected horses (~2.3% of all runners). 4 EIPHS, ‘Bleeders’ and ‘Blood on Scoping’ 1. Substantial Quantity of Blood in the Trachea (~official blood on scoping)  The presence of Grade 3 or Grade 4 blood in upper respiratory tract of a horse examined after racing at the request of the Stipendiary Steward because of sub- standard racing performance. 2. Official Bleeder (“Bleeder”)  Any quantity of blood of pulmonary origin at the nostrils after exercise. 5 Causes of Disappointing Racing Performances • EIPHS (‘3+/4+ blood on Scope within 5 minutes of racing) ~ 30% • Bleeder