There was always a “PS” to the Barbaro story last year. At the same time that Barbaro was winning the Kentucky Derby, his stablemate from the 2003 crop of foals bred by Roy and Gretchen Jackson’s Lael Stables was excelling in Europe. “George Washington” went on to dominate the three-year-old ranks in England and Ireland. His success must have been some small consolation to Mr. And Mrs. Jackson as they struggled with Barbaro’s surgery, convalescence and eventual tragic death when laminitis overwhelmed his recovery odds.
We never heard much about GW over here, but at the end of the racing year, he was retired to Coolmore to stand at stud. Everything looked rosy until it became obvious that the mares bred to him remained open. GW had a low fertility rate.
This spring, the Jacksons’ Kentucky Derby winner was euthanized, never having sired a foal. And in Ireland, their other star product was a dud as a stud.
Undaunted, the Irish connections sent GW back to the track, where he had a modicum of success in a 2007 comeback career. At least he didn’t embarrass them too badly. His trainer, the ever-successful Aidan O’Brien of Ballydoyle, shipped GW to Monmouth last week to enter the Breeders Cup Classic, a race he had failed to win in 2006.
Just as the horses were preparing to enter the gate, the ESPN commentator gave a quick insight into GW’s connection to the Jacksons and Barbaro. Was it a human interest quip or a curse?
Three minutes later, George Washington was dead, euthanized on the track in front of the grandstand, as burly Curlin charged across the finish line.
The screens went up, the horse ambulance arrived. People ran up the track. Who are those people?
George Washington shattered his cannon bone and then dislocated his fetlock, according to a 20-second interview by ESPN with AAEP On Call veterinarian Larry Bramlage DVM of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. The dislocation destroyed the blood supply in his lower leg and the trainer quickly made the decision to put the horse down then and there.
I realized I had been holding my breath through seven races, breathing a half-sigh of relief when all the horses cantered across the finish line, no matter how far up the track. They all finished, at least in the races I saw. And then, in the last race, the one horse with an eerie connection to the world’s most famous breakdown met his end.
It was not a Hollywood ending; it was more of Greek tragedy. We know how it ends. But we keep watching.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Breeders Cup Tragedy: Interview with Wayne McIlwraith, AAEP "On Call" Veterinarian for ESPN
The following is part of a transcript of an interview with Dr. C. Wayne McIlwraith of Colorado State University by Eric Wing of the Breeders Cup press office, in response to the breakdown and subsequent euthanasia of the 2006 European champion Thoroughbred stakes horse George Washington in the Breeders Cup Classic at New Jersey's Monmouth Park two hours ago:
ERIC WING: We are live in the interview tent right now. We have with us Dr. C. Wayne McIlwraith, the (designated) On-Call veterinarian of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. We saw George Washington was eased late in the race. Can you give us an update on what is going on with George Washington?
DR. McILWRAITH: George Washington sustained an open fracture of the cannon bone in the right front fetlock joint and disarticulated the joint at the same time and had both sesamoid fractures broken. So it was a hopeless injury as far as repair, and he has been euthanized.
ERIC WING: Is this anything that can be attributed to a sloppy racetrack or not?
DR. McILWRAITH: No. You know, there's been no comparative work done scientifically as far as the nature of the track. You know, at times, a sloppy racetrack at the end of the day, you could have some concerns, because they are running in the base; and then obviously the base is not made for them to be running on directly; like it was a very sloppy track. You know..the rest of the races have gone off well, but it's always a concern.
Q. It looked, watching the race, as a spectator, that George Washington was maybe having a little trouble negotiating the course early on. He seemed to be struggling, at least relative to the other horses. Is there any knowledge whatsoever about when during the course of the race this injury might have occurred?
DR. McILWRAITH: Well, typically these injuries occur in the last part of the race. They are more fatigued so they have got less support to the joint. And that's when the injuries normally occur. As you know, he's -- I think this is the first time he's raced on a dirt surface. And he could have had trouble with being less coordinated on that, as he's used to racing on grass; those are possibilities.
(continues)We generally consider these fractures to start as associated with earlier damage, so they can sustain a small degree of damage and then it can escalate into a fracture. So it is quite possible, especially when you have a horse that's relatively inexperienced at that surface and racing on a different surface.
We talk a lot now about investigating the cause of these fractures, minor incoordination or just not landing on the leg as exactly the same way as a horse that's completely used to that surface does.
ERIC WING: Were any of the three owners or trainer involved in the decision prior to euthanization, or is it an open-and-shut case, pardon the term.
DR. McILWRAITH: The decision was made very quickly. Aidan O'Brien was on the racetrack with the horse right after it happened and he requested euthanasia.
Q. I wish to point out, George Washington raced in the Classic at Churchill last year, but races on grass and switches to a track with a lot of water and slop, does it have any meaning, meaning is this a bad example?
DR. McILWRAITH: You mean a bad example to switch it to a sloppy track?
Q. Are you saying it's not a wise move that it should be or should not be done?
DR. McILWRAITH: No. I was being asked for sort of possibilities as to, if you can have contributing factors, and you can certainly have many contributing factors. But, no, I certainly did not imply that it's not a wise move.
ERIC WING: I don't mean to take you outside your field of expertise or your focus today, but as an onlooker and an observer, can you characterize in any way the emotions of Aiden O'Brien or the owners from where you stood?
DR. McILWRAITH: Well, we weren't there. (Dr. Bramlage) and I, we were across the racetrack. So we have no -- we weren't present for that. But I'm sure he's extremely upset about it.
ERIC WING: Doctor, as always, we appreciate your expertise and your speed in getting in here and updating us on the situation. Thank you very much.
ERIC WING: We are live in the interview tent right now. We have with us Dr. C. Wayne McIlwraith, the (designated) On-Call veterinarian of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. We saw George Washington was eased late in the race. Can you give us an update on what is going on with George Washington?
DR. McILWRAITH: George Washington sustained an open fracture of the cannon bone in the right front fetlock joint and disarticulated the joint at the same time and had both sesamoid fractures broken. So it was a hopeless injury as far as repair, and he has been euthanized.
ERIC WING: Is this anything that can be attributed to a sloppy racetrack or not?
DR. McILWRAITH: No. You know, there's been no comparative work done scientifically as far as the nature of the track. You know, at times, a sloppy racetrack at the end of the day, you could have some concerns, because they are running in the base; and then obviously the base is not made for them to be running on directly; like it was a very sloppy track. You know..the rest of the races have gone off well, but it's always a concern.
Q. It looked, watching the race, as a spectator, that George Washington was maybe having a little trouble negotiating the course early on. He seemed to be struggling, at least relative to the other horses. Is there any knowledge whatsoever about when during the course of the race this injury might have occurred?
DR. McILWRAITH: Well, typically these injuries occur in the last part of the race. They are more fatigued so they have got less support to the joint. And that's when the injuries normally occur. As you know, he's -- I think this is the first time he's raced on a dirt surface. And he could have had trouble with being less coordinated on that, as he's used to racing on grass; those are possibilities.
(continues)We generally consider these fractures to start as associated with earlier damage, so they can sustain a small degree of damage and then it can escalate into a fracture. So it is quite possible, especially when you have a horse that's relatively inexperienced at that surface and racing on a different surface.
We talk a lot now about investigating the cause of these fractures, minor incoordination or just not landing on the leg as exactly the same way as a horse that's completely used to that surface does.
ERIC WING: Were any of the three owners or trainer involved in the decision prior to euthanization, or is it an open-and-shut case, pardon the term.
DR. McILWRAITH: The decision was made very quickly. Aidan O'Brien was on the racetrack with the horse right after it happened and he requested euthanasia.
Q. I wish to point out, George Washington raced in the Classic at Churchill last year, but races on grass and switches to a track with a lot of water and slop, does it have any meaning, meaning is this a bad example?
DR. McILWRAITH: You mean a bad example to switch it to a sloppy track?
Q. Are you saying it's not a wise move that it should be or should not be done?
DR. McILWRAITH: No. I was being asked for sort of possibilities as to, if you can have contributing factors, and you can certainly have many contributing factors. But, no, I certainly did not imply that it's not a wise move.
ERIC WING: I don't mean to take you outside your field of expertise or your focus today, but as an onlooker and an observer, can you characterize in any way the emotions of Aiden O'Brien or the owners from where you stood?
DR. McILWRAITH: Well, we weren't there. (Dr. Bramlage) and I, we were across the racetrack. So we have no -- we weren't present for that. But I'm sure he's extremely upset about it.
ERIC WING: Doctor, as always, we appreciate your expertise and your speed in getting in here and updating us on the situation. Thank you very much.
Friday, October 26, 2007
New York Proposes Tough New Steroid Regulations for Harness and Flat Racing in State
New York may soon have one of the toughest laws in the United States on the levels of steroids allowable in racehorses. The rule was unveiled at a meeting of the state racing board yesterday.
The members of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board are interested in receiving industry comments and positions for their proposed rule change.
A rule in its conceptual form is posted on the Internet for your review.
Should you wish to comment, kindly email your responses to vdavis@racing.state.ny.us, or mail to Racing and Wagering Board, 1 Broadway Center, Suite 600, Schenectady, NY 12305-2553.
Note: It's not clear how or if this rule would affect horses presented in sales.
Click here to read the entire proposed rule.
The members of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board are interested in receiving industry comments and positions for their proposed rule change.
A rule in its conceptual form is posted on the Internet for your review.
Should you wish to comment, kindly email your responses to vdavis@racing.state.ny.us, or mail to Racing and Wagering Board, 1 Broadway Center, Suite 600, Schenectady, NY 12305-2553.
Note: It's not clear how or if this rule would affect horses presented in sales.
Click here to read the entire proposed rule.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
California Fire Update: The News Keeps Coming
Ramona, California is just one of the towns affected by the raging fires in southern California. The database of Hoofcare & Lameness Magazine shows that there are 13 farriers and 3 equine practitioners who live in that one usually horse-happy town; we have 34 subscribers that I can identify as living in urban San Diego. One-quarter of our subscribers live in the state of California.The American Farrier's Association has an update on their web site with news from a few of their members who live in the area.
National Geographic has a nice slide show of human evacuees and their animals. The photo in this post is part of that show.
Tonight I spoke with Mark Silverman DVM of San Dieguito Equine Practice; he described the scene at Del Mar racetrack as "amazing" both in terms of the volunteer spirit and the outpouring of support and supplies available to the horses encamped there--and their owners. He was treating a few minor injuries and respiratory problems but said the horses were in good shape, overall. A week from now, Dr Silverman will be in West Palm Beach, Florida to speak at the Fourth International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot.
Conference Announcement and Call for Abstracts: CESMAS 2008 Will Focus on Poor Performance in Sport Horses
This just in from our enthusiastic friend in Europe; CESMAS is a fantastic meeting and, as usually, will have a unique flair. I highly recommend these meetings (and their proceedings books; each conference has a theme and the book is a treasure). Directors for the course include Hoofcare and Lameness consulting editors Hilary Clayton, Jean-Marie Denoix, and Sue Dyson.
Exclamation points in the conference announcement provided by the ever-enthusiastic Arno:
Dear friends, dear colleagues!
Besides writing hello this message suits the purpose of drawing your attention to the next CESMAS – Conference on Equine Sports Medicine and Science – that will take place on July 10 - 12, 2008 with seminars on July 9 and practical courses on July 13 in Utrecht, Netherlands! This time we will visit the home of Marianne Sloet Baroness van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan!
The focus of the keynote lectures is the poorly performing sport horse, and even more focused: “Diagnosis and treatment of the poorly performing sport horse – within 14 days of an important competition”.
We have rented a theatre in downtown Utrecht for your comfort and enjoyment. Most keynote lectures will be presented by two speakers called “actors” in a straight forward manner aiming at involving you as much as possible.
Keynote lectures already scheduled are:
• What do we know on Poor Performance of Sport Horses? Tatiana Art,
Belgium
• Could it have a cardiovascular cause? If yes: What can be done?
Gunther van Loon and Lesley Young, Belgium and UK
• Could it have a digestive cause? If yes: What can be done? Andy
Durham and Nathaniel White, UK and USA
• What to look at in the metabolism? Erik Birks, USA
• Could it have a respiratory cause? If yes: What can be done? Geoff
Lane and Marianne Sloet, UK and Netherlands
• Could it have a neurological cause? If yes: What can be done? Lutz
Goering and Barrie Grant, both USA
• Monitoring orthopaedic health in competition horses. Philippe Benoit
and Sue Dyson, France and UK
• Could it be the hoof? If yes: What can be done? Tracy Turner and a
partner not committed yet, USA
• Could it be the muscle? If yes: What can be done? José Luis López
Rivero and a partner not committed yet.
And more to come!! Thus you see, the instructors are very good and will have enough time to show all their expertise in sort of theatre plays!!
The final programme will be announced in March 2008 and mailed late March to early April 2008 to you! Please check www.cesmas.info to keep updated! And please pass on the information to others that may be interested too!
Information on Utrecht can be found under: www.utrechtstad.com, www.12utrecht.nl, www.utrechthotelservice.nl, www.utrechttoerisme.nl
The nearest airport is Schiphol, Amsterdam: www.schiphol.nl (30 to 45 minutes to Utrecht depending on the train schedule).
Those of you that may be interested in discussing your work at the meeting can submit all work on subjects related to the athletic horse until January 15, 2008 (announcement of rejection and acceptance by February 15, 2008) complying with these guidelines:
• Acceptance is based on the completeness and practical relevance of the work.
• Accepted work may be published in the book “Diagnosis and treatment of the poorly performing sport horse – CESMAS 2008” (available during the conference).
• Each abstract will be reviewed by several independent referees. Prior to review, the names of authors and affiliations are removed to ensure unbiased review.
• Work will be accepted based on abstract score and availability of time slots in the programme.
• Abstract format: Up to 1,500 words. Font Times, 12 point, 1.5 line spacing should be used throughout.The first line should list the authors; the second line their
affiliations. In the third line it should state whether the work is intended for poster or oral presentation. In the fourth line it should state whether the work may be published in the proceedings book of the conference.An abstract should have the following sections: Take home message (what is the essence of the work described), Introduction, Material and Methods, Results and Conclusions. Send by e-mail to: arnolindner@t-online.de
We look forward to receive your work!
Wish you health and fun!
Arno
Arno Lindner
Heinrich-Röttgen-Str. 20, D-52428 Jülich, Germany; Fon: 0049 2461 340 430 ; Fax 0049 2461 340 484 ; e-mail: contact@agpferd.de; Website: www.cesmas.info
Exclamation points in the conference announcement provided by the ever-enthusiastic Arno:
Dear friends, dear colleagues!
Besides writing hello this message suits the purpose of drawing your attention to the next CESMAS – Conference on Equine Sports Medicine and Science – that will take place on July 10 - 12, 2008 with seminars on July 9 and practical courses on July 13 in Utrecht, Netherlands! This time we will visit the home of Marianne Sloet Baroness van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan!
The focus of the keynote lectures is the poorly performing sport horse, and even more focused: “Diagnosis and treatment of the poorly performing sport horse – within 14 days of an important competition”.
We have rented a theatre in downtown Utrecht for your comfort and enjoyment. Most keynote lectures will be presented by two speakers called “actors” in a straight forward manner aiming at involving you as much as possible.
Keynote lectures already scheduled are:
• What do we know on Poor Performance of Sport Horses? Tatiana Art,
Belgium
• Could it have a cardiovascular cause? If yes: What can be done?
Gunther van Loon and Lesley Young, Belgium and UK
• Could it have a digestive cause? If yes: What can be done? Andy
Durham and Nathaniel White, UK and USA
• What to look at in the metabolism? Erik Birks, USA
• Could it have a respiratory cause? If yes: What can be done? Geoff
Lane and Marianne Sloet, UK and Netherlands
• Could it have a neurological cause? If yes: What can be done? Lutz
Goering and Barrie Grant, both USA
• Monitoring orthopaedic health in competition horses. Philippe Benoit
and Sue Dyson, France and UK
• Could it be the hoof? If yes: What can be done? Tracy Turner and a
partner not committed yet, USA
• Could it be the muscle? If yes: What can be done? José Luis López
Rivero and a partner not committed yet.
And more to come!! Thus you see, the instructors are very good and will have enough time to show all their expertise in sort of theatre plays!!
The final programme will be announced in March 2008 and mailed late March to early April 2008 to you! Please check www.cesmas.info to keep updated! And please pass on the information to others that may be interested too!
Information on Utrecht can be found under: www.utrechtstad.com, www.12utrecht.nl, www.utrechthotelservice.nl, www.utrechttoerisme.nl
The nearest airport is Schiphol, Amsterdam: www.schiphol.nl (30 to 45 minutes to Utrecht depending on the train schedule).
Those of you that may be interested in discussing your work at the meeting can submit all work on subjects related to the athletic horse until January 15, 2008 (announcement of rejection and acceptance by February 15, 2008) complying with these guidelines:
• Acceptance is based on the completeness and practical relevance of the work.
• Accepted work may be published in the book “Diagnosis and treatment of the poorly performing sport horse – CESMAS 2008” (available during the conference).
• Each abstract will be reviewed by several independent referees. Prior to review, the names of authors and affiliations are removed to ensure unbiased review.
• Work will be accepted based on abstract score and availability of time slots in the programme.
• Abstract format: Up to 1,500 words. Font Times, 12 point, 1.5 line spacing should be used throughout.The first line should list the authors; the second line their
affiliations. In the third line it should state whether the work is intended for poster or oral presentation. In the fourth line it should state whether the work may be published in the proceedings book of the conference.An abstract should have the following sections: Take home message (what is the essence of the work described), Introduction, Material and Methods, Results and Conclusions. Send by e-mail to: arnolindner@t-online.de
We look forward to receive your work!
Wish you health and fun!
Arno
Arno Lindner
Heinrich-Röttgen-Str. 20, D-52428 Jülich, Germany; Fon: 0049 2461 340 430 ; Fax 0049 2461 340 484 ; e-mail: contact@agpferd.de; Website: www.cesmas.info
Monday, October 22, 2007
Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital Will Sponsor 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky; Will Serve as Official Event Hospital
LEXINGTON, Ky— Lexington's Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital will be the Official Equine Hospital and Veterinary Partner for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, as announced today by the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc.“We are well prepared as a hospital to meet the variety of veterinary services that these World Championship horses may need leading up to and during the 2010 Games,” said Dr. Bill Rood, Hospital Director.
Rood & Riddle is a full-service equine hospital. Spread over several acres, the hospital was established in 1986 as a referral center for horses requiring specialized medical and surgical care. Today Rood & Riddle is known and respected throughout the world for its innovative and highly skilled treatment of horses. The hospital facility offers a full range of services including surgery, internal medicine, advanced diagnostic imaging, a focused Podiatry Center and a specialized Reproductive Center.
The practice also provides ambulatory services (on-site care) for breeding farms, sport horse facilities, horse shows and events, with a variety of services, including emergency and preventative care, general reproduction, lameness, radiography, podiatry, and internal medicine.
“Our reputation stems from our unwavering commitment to quality, both in the care of horses and in our relationship with clients and community,” said Dr. Tom Riddle. “We measure our success by our clients’ success—and to work with the highest level of equine athletes as they come to compete in Lexington, Kentucky, is a landmark achievement in the history of our veterinary practice.”
“While we certainly hope that no horse will need emergency services during the Games, it is only fitting that an equine hospital with such an outstanding reputation—and a nearby location—is able to sign on as our veterinary partner," said World Games 2010 Foundation CEO Jack Kelly.
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park September 25 to October 10, 2010, are the world championships of the eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), and are held every four years. The Games have never before been held outside of Europe; nor have all eight disciplines ever previously been held together at a single site. It is anticipated that more than 600,000 spectators will attend the 16-day competition.
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