Trainer Magazine, European edition, issue 64 - January - March 2019

ISSUE 64 – JANUARY-MARCH 2019 £6.95 www.trainermagazine.com

THE QUAR QUARTERLY RTERLY MAGAZINE MAGAZINE E FOR TH THE HE T TRAINING RAINING AN ND DEVELOPMENT OF THE THOROUGHBRED D

JESSICA HARR ARRI RINGTON I

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| OPINION |

GILE S ANDE RSON PUBLISHER’S OPINION

s the Brexit clock ticks down to the end of March deadline we still don’t know exactly what rules any of us are going to be operating in when dealing or trading across Europe. But one thing is for sure, when all deals are signed, sealed and delivered, the movement of horses between France, Ireland and the United Kingdom is going to be as robust and transparent as it can be with the welfare and good management of the animals right at the heart of the legislation.

This will be something for us in the racing industry to champion.

Sadly, over the past few months, all forms of racing are increasingly coming under the spotlight to a wider audience, many of whom have never been racing or understand racing, but thanks to the increased sharing and “fake” media many may only get to see negative images of racing.

It’s for that reason that the South African authorities have chosen to experiment with a ban on jockeys whipping horses - with the simple goal to win over those who are influenced the most by social media perceptions, “the millennials”, who the racing industry (worldwide) must learn to engage with.

In Germany, the tongue tie has recently been outlawed by the government without consultation of the trainers, simply due to a fear of perception as to what the tie means to the wider public.

In Florida, on November 6th the electorate were asked to vote on amendment 13, which asked voters to “Phase out commercial dog racing in connection with wagering by 2020.” The campaign was masterminded by a group called GREY2K USA. Their commercials showed both racing injuries and squalid conditions in one kennel. A total of $3.42m was raised by supporters of the ban and just $142k by those against the ban.

On election day 69% of voters (5,407,000) voted in favour of the ban and 31% (2,400,000) against.

Whilst by no means am I saying that the same could happen in horse racing, it simply serves as a wake up call to show what a well financed “animal rights” campaign can do. These campaigns are hardly going to ever focus on the positive care that the animals receive and the associated media is produced to shock voters into action.

In the UK, the NTF recently reported the following in their newsletter: Reminder of the importance of proving racing’s commitment to equine welfare, the debate to be held in Westminster Hall on 15th October is a loud enough wake up call.

An animal rights group generated enough signatures on its online petition to cause the debate on a motion calling

A

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ISSUE 64 TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM

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| CONTENTS | its online petition to cause the debate on a motion calling for the British Horseraccing Authority to be replaced by an independent regulatory bod dy. It is tempting to dismiss the animal rights group as a small group with a disproportionately loud voice, but it has been effective in forcing the Westminster debate as well as influencing the Liberal Democrats to adopt the above motion as policy at its recent party conference.

There will be no vote and the debate

has no direct legislative consequences.

The Government does not consider it is necessary to create a new body to protect racehorse welfare.

Changing public attitudes to animal welfare are generally mirrored in evidence of hardening opinion about standards of equine welfare in racing. Equine welfare is the BHA’s number one strategic priority; racecourses too are alive to the threat to their business; the expert care of racehorses

is second nature to horsemen. Vocalising and providing compelling evidence for the whole sport’s commitment to equine welfare is more essential than ever.

So let’s make it our resolution for the new year to use every medium in our power to champion the good horse husbandry and best practices that the European racing industry has to offer.

Wherever your racing takes you in 2019 - good luck!

ISSUE

64

CONTENTS FEATURES 10 Jessica Harrington

Lissa Oliver catches up with the ‘Queen of Cheltenham’ following two golden years of triple Gold Cup and Classic successes.

20 Is all-weather racing no longer the poor relation?

Can all-weather racing offer trainers credible alternatives to turf ’s prestige races?

Amy Lynam investigates.

28 What could horseracing learn from the FEI?

Alysen Miller examines how the consistency of the FEI’s prohibited substances policy could provide a useful template for racing.

34 Trainers' mental health

and wellbeing

What racing is doing to provide support for the mental welfare of trainers and racing staff,

by Lissa Oliver.

40 Ulcer medication: are the

products different?

Celia Marr looks at the efficacy of the different types of ulcer treatment currently available.

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48 Brexit fallout

Lissa Oliver finds out what the latest Brexit developments mean for racing and how the industry is preparing itself for the consequences.

54 EMHF – Marketing priorities across Europe

Dr Paull Khan reports on the findings from the recent seminar on marketing and educational initiatives.

62 Ride and guide

From North American Trainer – Which bits work best? And what to use when, by Annie Lambert.

REGULARS 04 Contributors 06 ETF Members 08 TRM Trainer of the Quarter

@t ra in er _m ag /t ra in er ma ga zi ne /t ra in er ma ga zi ne

72 Product Focus 75 ETF AGM

Pictures from the latest European Trainers’ Federation AGM in Newmarket.

78 Starting out

The latest quarterly update from first-season trainer, Gavin Hernon.

80 Hindsight

Uwe Ostmann tells Peter Muhlfeit about life after training, the state of German racing today and working for triple crown-winning trainer, Herr Von Mitzlaff.

Visit trainermagazine.com to download the digital edition of this issue.

Dubai World Cup 2019 Free Nominations Close Wednesday, January 9

The 24th running of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse headlines a nine-race programme worth a world-record US$35 million, including six Group 1 and three Group 2 races. A global showcase of the world’s richest race day you don’t want to miss!

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Dubai Golden Shaheen

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Dubai Gold Cup

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Godolphin Mile

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Dubai Racing Club contacts: Frank Gabriel Jr. – Executive Director - Racing | Aimee Grieve – International Racing Liaison For full details and a complete brochure, please contact the International Department of Dubai Racing Club at intdept@dubairacingclub.com or +971 4 316 8654

DubaiRacingClub.com

Editorial Director/Publisher Giles Anderson Design ATG Media Sub-Editor Jana Cavalier Advert Production Shae Hardy Circulation/Website Anna Alcock Advertising Sales Giles Anderson, Oscar Yeadon, Anna Alcock Photo Credits: Alamy, Giles Anderson, France Galop, Laura Gomez Miguel, HRI, ITBA, Annie Lambert, Caroline Norris, Francesca Altoft, Celia Marr, Marc Rühl, Shutterstock, Eclipse Sportswire, Zuzanna Lupa.

Cover Photograph Caroline Norris

Trainer magazine is published by Anderson & Co Publishing Ltd. This magazine is distributed for free to all ETF members. Editorial views expressed are not necessarily those of the ETF. Additional copies can be purchased for £6.95 (ex P&P). No part of this publication may be reproduced in any format without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Printed in the European Union For all editorial and advertising queries please contact: Anderson & Co. Publishing Tel: +44 (0) 1380 816777 Fax: +44 (0) 1380 816778 email: info@trainermagazine.com www.trainermagazine.com Issue 64

Gavin Hernon Gavin Hernon is an aspiring young trainer in Chantilly, France. At the age of 16, Gavin flew the nest of the family’s stud farm in north Cork on an adventure that would see him under the direction of Jim Bolger, André Fabre, Nicolas Clément, Ed Dunlop and Graham Motion. Gavin also acts as a French representative for Goffs.

Paull Khan Paull Khan, PhD. is an international horseracing consultant.

He is Secretary-General of the European & Mediterranean Horseracing Federation and Technical Advisor for Europe to the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. His other clients include the British Horseracing Authority.

Previously, Dr Khan held many senior roles at Weatherbys, including Banking Director and Racing Director.

Annie Lambert Annie Lambert is a photojournalist based in Temecula, California.

She grew up enjoying many facets of the equine industry with her veterinarian father, Dr Willard D Ommert, and mother, Pat North Ommert, who is an inductee of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. Anne has been involved in many aspects of the thoroughbred racing industry, rode hunters and jumpers as well as reined cow horses.

Amy Lynam Having grown up in horse racing and been lucky to have travelled extensively with her father’s horses around the world, Amy took a position as Marketing Executive at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. Four years later, she has embarked on a freelance career, through which she combines journalism, photography and marketing.

ISSN 17580293

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Celia Marr Professor Celia Marr is an RCVS recognised specialist in Equine Internal Medicine based at Rossdales Equine Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Newmarket. She is also Editor-in-Chief of Equine Veterinary Journal, Honorary Professor at the University of Glasgow, and has previously worked at Cambridge University, the Royal Veterinary College, the University of Pennsylvania, and in racehorse practice in Lambourn.

Alysen Miller Is a writer, editor and producer based in London. She has written about racing for publications including The Sunday Times. She launched and produced CNN International’s first dedicated horseracing magazine show, Winning Post.

She has ridden on the Flat as an amateur and currently competes in eventing on her retrained racehorse, Southfork.

Peter Muhlfeit Works for the public broadcaster SWR in his hometown (Radio and Online News) and has been a freelance racing journalist for more than three decades. Peter writes for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), the regional paper BNN, the German column in EBN and for the German thoroughbred magazine, Vollblut. Peter also worked for the BBC World Service for ten years.

Lissa Oliver Lissa Oliver lives in Co. Kildare, Ireland and is a regular contributor to The Irish Field and the Australian magazine, Racetrack. Lissa is also the author of several collections of short stories and two novels.

Oscar Yeadon Oscar Yeadon is the publication manager for Anderson & Co Publishing, as well as a longstanding fan of National Hunt racing. His passion for the sport developed during his time managing racing syndicates and events across the UK.

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EUROPEAN TRAINERS’ FEDERATION 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 Chairmanship: Guy Heymans (Belgium) Tel: +32 (0) 495 389 140 Email: heymans1@telenet.be

Vice Chairmanship:

Vice Chairmanship:

Treasureship:

Nicolas Clément (France) Tel: +33 (0)3 44 57 25 39 Fax: +33 (0)3 44 57 58 85 Email: entraineurs.de.galop@wanadoo.fr

Christian von der Recke (Germany) Tel: +49 (022 54) 84 53 14 Fax: +49 (022 54) 84 53 15 Email: recke@t-online.de

Michael Grassick (Ireland) Tel: +353 (0)45 522 981 Mobile: +353 (0)87 258 87 70 Fax: +353 (0)45 522 982 Email: office@irta.ie

AUSTRIA

HUNGARY

UNITED KINGDOM

Mrs Živa Prunk Tel: +38640669918 Email: ziva.prunk@gmail.com

CZECH REPUBLIC

Livia Prem Mobile: +3630 431 2777 Email: livia.prem@hotmail.com

ITALY

Rupert Arnold Tel: +44 (0) 1488 71719 Fax: +44 (0) 1488 73005 Email: r.arnold@racehorsetrainers.org

RUSSIA

Joseph Vana Tel: +42 (0) 6024 296 29 Email: horova@velka-chuchle.cz

Agostino Affe Email: affegaloppo@gmail.com

Olga Polushkina Email: p120186@yandex.ru

GREECE

NETHERLANDS

SLOVAKIA

Aggeliki Amitsis Tel: 30 229 908 1332+ Email: angieamitsis@yahoo.com

Geert van Kempen Mobile: +31 (0)6 204 02 830 Email: renstalvankempen@hetnet.nl

GERMANY

NORWAY

Erika Mäder Tel: +49 (0) 2151 594911 Fax: +49 (0) 2151 590542 Email: trainer-und-jockeys@netcologne.de

Are Hyldmo Mobile: +47 984 16 712 Email: arehyldmo@hotmail.com

www.trainersfederation.eu

Jaroslav Brecka Email: jaroslav.brecka@gmail.com

SWEDEN

Caroline Malmborg Email: caroline@stallmalmborg.se

THE EUROPEAN SECRET Racing in Sweden is a well-kept secret. We have plenty of black-type opportunities and larger purses than most realise. We are not even that far away. Give it a go - before everyone else does.

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Definitly Red and Danny Cook heading for victory in the Gr2 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, 3rd November 2018

TRAINER OF THE QUARTER

BR IA N E LLIS O N

The TRM Trainer of the Quarter award has been won by Brian Ellison. Ellison and his team will receive a selection of products from the internationally acclaimed range of TRM supplements, as well as a bottle of fine Irish whiskey.

Oscar Yeadon he TRM Trainer of the Quarter award has been won by Brian Ellison. Ellison and his team will receive a selection of products from the internationally acclaimed range of TRM supplements as well as a bottle of fine Irish whiskey.

A familiar face on Britain’s northern racing circuit, first as a jockey and then as a trainer for the last three decades, the Yorkshire-based team of trainer Brian Ellison has established itself as one of the most potent dual-purpose strings in Britain.

Since moving into his Spring Cottage Stables, in Malton, in the early 2000s,

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Francesca Altoft, Shutterstock

Ellison’s record on both the Flat and over Jumps has improved both in terms of quantity and quality. The last five years have been particularly fruitful, including breakthrough black type winners on the Flat and the emergence of stable star, Definitly Red. This autumn Definitly Red has reaffirmed his credentials as a genuine contender for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, following an unbeaten start to the current season with Gr2 victories at Wetherby and Aintree.

In the 2017/18 campaign, Definitly Red finished sixth in the Gold Cup

after winning the Cotswold Chase, but won’t take in that race en route to the Cheltenham Festival in 2019. “I thought at the time he had had a hard race,” remembers Ellison, “but he’s in great form this year and we’ll keep him for Cheltenham, possibly followed by the Aintree Bowl. If the ground’s good or good to soft, he has a chance.”

If Definitly Red offers Spring Bank Stables a live hope in the Gold Cup, their recent Gr3 Greatwood Hurdle winner Nietzsche could uphold the team’s honour over hurdles at the spring festivals.

“Nietzsche travelled great and did well at

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Cheltenham. The tongue strap has helped since last year and while we have to see what does in the meantime, he may go to Cheltenham, as he does like it round there.”

If it’s the jumpers who have been adding to the yard’s haul of black type winners, the Flat string hasn’t been far away. The 2018 flagbearer was the top-class juvenile filly, The Mackem Bullet, who twice finished second to Ballydoyle’s leading 1000 Guineas fancy, Fairyland, in the Lowther Stakes and Cheveley Park Stakes.

Ellison has been quoted as saying that The Mackem Bullet is the best horse he has trained, and she ended her season with a more-than-respectable sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf at Churchill Downs.

“It was a great feeling to be at Churchill Downs. She was only beaten a length and a half for second, on soft ground. If it had been good, I think she would have been placed.”

The Mackem Bullet’s owner, Katsumi Yoshida, has kept his filly in the US where she may enter training or instead head to Japan to enter her owner’s breeding programme. Her departure leaves a sizeable

Danny McMenamin, Nietzsche and Brian Ellison, Cheltenham, 18th November 2018

hole to fill in the string for 2019, but Ellison is looking forward to the season ahead.

“At this moment in time, I think we have the best band we have ever had. Not necessarily of the quality of The Mackem Bullet, but the two-year-olds look nice, and we’re always trying to improve the quality of the string.”

Ellison’s enthusiasm is readily apparent but perhaps in a nod to his days in the

saddle, you get the sense that his first love is National Hunt racing.

“I wish I had more jumpers; we have 30 or so at the moment, but in addition to Definitly Red and Forest Bihan, there is Windsor Avenue, who I rate very highly and should make a lovely chaser, and also Ravenhill Road.

“All you ever need as a trainer is one good horse.”

Willie Mullins Trained Footpad

For The Complete Art of Movement

ISSUE 64 TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM

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PROFILE

Lissa Oliver

10

Caroline Norris

TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM ISSUE 64

| JESSICA HARRINGTON |

SMALL TO W N HERO

JESSICA HARRINGTON

S

ome towns are all about the horse, the vast number of racing stables in the one place defining the community that has sprung up among them. Wherever there is a racing centre there are racing people at its heart. The tiny village of Moone is slightly different. There is only one stable in Moone, but that stable is the beating heart of the community.

The County Kildare village is home to the Commonstown Stables of Jessica Harrington, and the success of the yard has sent ripples of prosperity throughout South Kildare and the Wicklow border.

Harrington herself might refute that, but Seamus O’Reilly, a local business owner, will beg to differ. He has witnessed a tide of changes in his 40 years at nearby Crookstown, where he owns and runs a now-thriving service station and shop, and he understands better than most the economic impact of a racing stable that has grown to be the area’s largest employer.

“I started the service station in 1978 and this area of South Kildare was unknown then. It was hard to give directions to anyone, no landmarks, they wouldn’t know where to find us, we were tucked away from anywhere,” he recalls. “Things have improved in the last 20 years and it’s more accessible now. It’s a huge bonus to the service station and retail business to have Jessie there; a lot of her employees come in, plus visitors such as her jockeys and owners and the media.

The spin off from her success is great.”

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PROFILE

It’s interesting to reflect that, about a 40-minute drive away in County Carlow, trainers Jim Bolger and Willie Mullins are the biggest employers in that particular county, so the importance of horseracing to Ireland’s rural heartland can never be underestimated.

Moone has no pub, no post office and no shop; although since the closure of the post office, some of the residents opened and run a part-time community shop. The village may be home to the historic Celtic High Cross, but there is otherwise nothing to bring people here. Except, of course, Commonstown Stables and the stars within.

Don’t get this wrong though, JHR couldn’t be better sited. Moone may be off the radar for many, but a new network of roads and bypasses links it quickly and smoothly with the nearby motorways serving Cork, Tipperary and Dublin, with the Dublin and Rosslare ports accessible within an hour. At home, the horses nestle in the idyllic peace of a secluded part of Kildare, and their journey to the racecourse is just as smooth and comfortable.

It’s a traditional stableyard with a comfortable rustic ambience that blends seamlessly with the more stateof-the-art features that are part of a modern racing establishment. Yet it’s also a production line of Group One and Grade One winners, at the centre of an industry.

“It’s like a small factory,” Harrington’s son-in-law, Richie Galway, observes, as Harrington sits with her family and gives some thought to how her business sits within the community. He recently took a backseat in his managerial role at Punchestown racecourse to devote those skills more fully to JHR (Jessica Harrington Racing), very much a business operation.

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“Lots of our staff come in from Castledermot; a lot of them live there,” Richie points out. “There are a few who live here in Moone, but most travel in each day.”

Castledermot is a bigger village 20 minutes away, with plenty of local shops, but most of its residents face a daily 90-minute commute to jobs in Dublin city centre.

The Irish rural landscape is changing at a quickening pace, with the so-called commuter belts widening and isolating communities. New housing estates replacing the farmland that no longer pays its way are home to those working in cities an hour or more away, and the homes largely stand empty during the day. Moone is becoming typical, with no local amenities, forcing the car to take over from walking, even for the school runs; and the opportunity to meet, mix and socialise are decreasing as a result. For JHR, the workplace is the hub of community.

“When the post office closed, it was a big loss,” Harrington reflects. “The postman now picks up our post when he delivers and he’s been very good. He makes sure he comes in to us first, so we receive everything earlier in the day, which is a benefit. In many places with just one postal service a day, it tends to be midday, and that must make it hard to organise an office when you’re waiting on something.”

The office is the main entrance room of the farmhouse, leading into the kitchen and hub of family life. It’s no different to any racing yard office—a little too small for the three women working away there and the volume of paperwork, calendars, diaries and newspapers they share it with in the race to stay ahead of the entries. It’s edge of the seat stuff, but only because the chairs are also occupied by the smaller of the dogs who share the space too.

| JESSICA HARRINGTON |

There can be no better working environment, whether for Ally Couchman, office manager, Jessie’s two assistant trainers, her daughters Emma and Kate, and Richie in the office, or the 65 staff members who form part of Team Harrington, headed up by head lad Eamonn Leigh and yard manager Nigel Byrne. It’s hard to imagine where 65 employees would find work elsewhere, particularly the hands-on physical outdoor work that won’t be on offer in Dublin.

“I don’t know how vital we are to the community,” Harrington muses, a lady who prefers not to take credit where it may not be due, as she considers what her business brings to Moone.

Richie is more forthright. “There was a public meeting in Athy on the increased business rates affecting the shops and commercial premises in the area,” he recalls, “and Seamus O’Reilly stood up and stated that if it were not for Jessica Harrington Racing providing so much employment locally, none of the businesses would have the huge revenue that brings in.”

There’s more to it than revenue, of course. Horses engender a strong sense of attachment, and successful horses offer something even stronger—pride. This was never better illustrated than in March 2017, when Jessica was crowned Queen of Cheltenham. The homecoming she received caught her completely by surprise. Imagine Jubilees, Founders Days, Royal Weddings, and then add in the joy and fervour of ‘shared ownership’ as the people of Moone welcomed back their very own heroes.

Supasundae, Rock The World and Gold Cup hero Sizing John had helped to cement their trainer’s name in history as one of the most successful Irish trainers at the Cheltenham Festival and certainly the winning-most lady trainer, should we feel it’s necessary to make any distinction. Harrington’s record speaks for itself, and she’s on an equal-footing with all great trainers. Bringing home three cups from the 2017 Festival, the top prize itself among them, was suddenly Moone’s badge of honour, not just Harrington’s.

“We had a homecoming for Sizing John, to parade him for the media and local fans, and it just took me so much by surprise,” admits Harrington. “The whole community seriously came out, everyone wanted photos taken, we were there for a good couple of hours. I remember worrying about everyone crowding behind the back of the horse, but he took it so well.

“They made me a huge banner; it stretched right across the street, ‘Moone’s Queen of Cheltenham’,” Harrington reveals with a smile. “They very kindly let me keep it, and we have it hanging up in the indoor arena. The village hall

THE GOVERNMENT FAILS TO REALISE A STABLE IS NOT AN OFFICE, AND WE CAN’T JUST SWITCH OFF THE LIGHTS AT THE WEEKEND AND GO HOME.

was opened up for tea and biscuits and buns and cakes for everyone. It’s amazing what it does for the community.”

Taking such ownership of their equine neighbours begs the question of privacy. Is this strong community spirit ever intrusive or unwelcome? “No, never,” Harrington states firmly. “It’s nice for them to be a part of it and they never take advantage. Everyone is always very respectful of the business.”

For her part, Harrington also does a lot in return, though it takes Richie to reveal the full extent. The trainer is neither shy nor retiring, but she prefers to work quietly in the background and not make too much of what she views as just a small token of support. This, Richie explains, is sponsoring an annual 10km charity walk and providing jerseys for Moone Celtic Soccer Club. “We have school tours coming into the yard as well,” Jessie reminds him.

Later, at Crookstown Service Station, Seamus O’Reilly reveals that a fundraiser he held at the premises for the Jack And Jill charity was opened by Harrington. “She did it for us for free and was going racing that day; that’s the sort of person she is.”

You might also wonder if all this avid interest is an advantage to JHR, which is surely never short of local young people looking for work. “We do have students looking to come in during the holidays, but I tend not to take on anyone who hasn’t worked with horses already, as it’s just too dangerous,” says Harrington. “They usually come in to us when they’ve finished school, or are in college and come back and work with us during the holidays or work around lectures. When they finish college they may go on to something else or travel; it’s important they have ISSUE 64 TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM

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PROFILE

ABOVE: Alpha Centauri following her Irish 1000 Guineas victory, including (L to R) Alan Cooper, Kate Harrington, Debbie Flavin, Colm O’Donoghue, Jessica Harrington, Electra Niarchos, and Emma, Jack and Max Galway.

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| JESSICA HARRINGTON |

Jessica Harrington and Jackie Mullins (left)

the freedom to do what they want. They know they are always welcome to look for work here later on when they’re ready, hopefully with greater experience.

“One has to look after staff. We do our best, but we have a worry at the moment regarding working hours.

The government fails to realise a stable is not an office, and we can’t just switch off the lights at the weekend and go home. They have to use common sense. None of us want to treat our staff unfairly, but horses need roundthe-clock care every day of the week.

“The wellbeing of staff is retention of staff. Look after people and they’ll stay with you. You have to do your best, look after their needs and when it comes to workplace regulations, grin and bear it.

“We are always looking for some staff, but we have a main core of local people. We need a constant supply of good riders—we really need good riders. We have staff for riding out and staff for mucking out, as well as people taking care of maintenance and the garden. Grooms go racing, leading up, and they each do a line of stables, a combination of tasks; everyone does a bit.

“And we also use local people such as electricians, plumbers, the blacksmith, vets. We get our hay from Kilkea and our feed from Connolly’s Red Mills, which is only down the road, and we use all the local services really, such as Quinn’s in Baltinglass for hardware.”

In the case of Commonstown Stables we could take this one step further, because top-class training facilities are quite literally on the doorstep. Those based in a

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training centre can also boast the same and, of course, the maintenance costs are shared; but so too is the use and availability. Having full control of your own facilities and schedule has to be an enormous benefit.

“It’s a terrific advantage,” Harrington agrees. “We don’t have to start so early; our first lot goes out at 8am. We’re not loading horses into horseboxes to go to the gallops and we can get through more. There are no disadvantages; it’s very nice having all your own gallops.

Maintenance is not a huge cost; we have someone who comes in once a week when they’re topped up.”

The onset of winter is a relatively quiet period, as the yearlings are sent away to be broken and the Flat horses are out, but the gallops and schooling grounds offer plenty of choice for the National Hunt horses who came back into training in July. JHR has charge of 150 horses, a mix of Flat and National Hunt, and how their fitness programmes are managed is fairly straightforward.

“The routine is the same summer and winter,” reveals Harrington. “All the horses do the same—they all work together. The two-year-olds work with older horses, the Flat horses work with National Hunt horses.”

There are the usual facilities you would expect in a topclass racing yard—covered horse walkers, a set of starting stalls, and an outdoor arena where the horses warm up and are assessed by Jessie every morning before going out to the gallops. An indoor arena is primarily for the young horses, where they can be safely introduced to their new career before eventually going out with their experienced

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PROFILE

BELOW: Colm O’Donoghue, Richie Galway (centre) and Jessica Harrington

16

| JESSICA HARRINGTON |

stablemates. It’s also used for lunging and loose schooling over poles, although another essential advantage is in keeping the whole string fit when the weather is too bad to get them outside.

The most recent addition to the set-up is the curved 1400m sand and fibre Work Gallop, installed in the autumn of 2016. It rises gently uphill in the final 400m and perfectly complements the 800m sand Round Gallop.

The legendary Hill Gallop, 1000m of Wexford sand, where the skill and fitness of the many Commonstown champions is truly honed, runs along the perimeter of the farm and climbs steeply to meet the Round Gallop.

The schooling area has a row of five hurdles, including Easifix, and three standard chase fences, plus a smaller chase fence for novices to learn their skill. An additional sand and fibre schooling strip with three Easifix hurdles and three chase fences are perfect for year-round schooling.

Harrington is a horsewoman first and foremost, and keeping a racehorse mentally and physically fit isn’t only reliant on work. There are six large turnout paddocks where the horses are turned out daily to relax and play and simply ‘be a horse’. And, being horses, there is the inevitable state-of-the-art hydrotherapy spa, which uses aerated salt water chilled to 2-4 degrees, useful for any knocks and injuries. The hydrotherapy reduces swelling and hardens tendons and ligaments, speeding up the healing process. The salt water keeps the wounds clean, while the aeration provided by water jets increases blood circulation—a great benefit to repairing tissue.

The final pieces in the perpetual puzzle of keeping a horse healthy are the three large JHR horseboxes and six smaller horseboxes, ensuring the risk of infection is kept to a minimum by avoiding ‘public’ transport.

None of which could really be said to have made Commonstown the success it is, though of course every little

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bit helps. “Success is down to hard work and luck. I don’t care what anyone says,” insists Harrington. “Most trainers realise that they can’t just get there overnight; luck is a huge part of it and the hard work of the team. Eamonn and everyone in the office and all the staff, we all pull together.”

And that ethos reminds us again of Harrington’s personal impact on the community, as Seamus O’Reilly points out. “I’ve been in business here for 40 years.

Within that time we’ve had a few bypasses to threaten the business and roads upgraded and then the motorway, but I’ve taken it on with gusto and I don’t give in, a bit like Jessie. I always admire people like Jessie, she has unreal strengths. People like her don’t say anything, they just hide in the background and do their job.”

Much like Seamus, who declined to be pictured. This is Harrington’s feature, after all. “Harrington and the other successful businesses nice and silently make south Kildare what it is and it’s nice to see it,” he says. “We open here at 6am and Jessie’s staff come in on their way to work.

People say it’s a rich man’s sport, but we see the real side of it. It’s a hard industry, you can’t say you’re sick. As an outsider looking in, I know it’s a hard game and I’m full of admiration for the workers.”

PROFILE

| JESSICA HARRINGTON |

Triple Gold Cup winner, Sizing John

FOR US, AS TRAINERS, WE NEED TO RECOGNISE IT IS TWO-WAY TRAFFIC AND WE HAVE TO GET ON TOGETHER. WHEN THINGS ARE BROUGHT IN WITHOUT CONSULTING ANYONE IT’S VERY FRUSTRATING. 18

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A touch of the homecoming enthusiasm is never far from the surface where racing and ‘outsiders’ meet on neutral ground. “All the talk is between horses and cattle and sport,” Seamus reveals of his daily business and the customers dropping in for fuel, coffee and lunch. “When Harrington gets a winner it’s a great confidence booster and it’s nice to have a winner too!”

Back at the stables, however, there’s a wider community to worry about and the racing world is not without its problems. Harrington is 71 and has held her licence since 1989, so there are few better people to ask for an opinion on the current state of affairs.

“HRI does a good job and is accountable to the government. There are good things going on in Irish racing and a few annoying things. There are probably little things wrong, but when common sense prevails, most things can be sorted out. For us, as trainers, we need to recognise it is two-way traffic and we have to get on together. When things are brought in without consulting anyone it’s very frustrating. If they just sat down and talked to everyone we could solve problems instead of getting into corners. We’re not trying to break the rules. We’re not always right, but there’s got to be give and take.

“The most annoying thing is endlessly trying to get guidelines for vaccinations and not having to go back years to find a passport error,” she says, echoing the views of many Irish trainers, several having suffered fines since the strengthening of IHRB raceday regulations. “Stewards have been very good lately about letting us withdraw horses and have been very sensible about that. If people just use common sense, issues can be resolved. At the end of the day common sense always prevails. Horses are not machines and simple common sense is the best thing.”

Harrington recognises the current divide between the leading trainers and owners in Ireland and those struggling to compete with them. “It is top heavy on the Flat, but you just have to raise your own game. Irish racing is becoming more competitive, it’s difficult for small trainers. Perhaps HRI could look at the framing of races better, so everyone gets a fair crack at the whip. But our standard of racing is very good and we are great sellers of horses. We have all been brought up to sell horses and the Irish have done very well across the board.”

As with any commercial enterprise, the industry cannot struggle with minor problems while ignoring the bigger issue, which Harrington identifies as funding. “I would love to see the minimum prize money rise to Ð12,000 and enable owners to see a way of paying for training through prize money,” she concludes. “I just hope the government continues to recognise the importance of funding racing.

“We must not take that for granted. I would love it if the percentage from betting tax comes back to racing automatically, so we’re not competing alongside housing and welfare and health care. We should be self-financing rather than at the mercy of the government. The betting tax should never have been cut in the first place, but if we could be guaranteed a percentage we would not be going in each year with our begging bowl. I would love to see the industry on a more secure financial footing.”

For the moment, though, we can be assured JHR is on a sound footing and those living within its environs are more than grateful.

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IS AL L-WE ATHE R RAC ING NO LO NGER THE POO R RELATI ON? Amy Lynam

F

Caroline Norris, Marc Rühl, Alamy

or much of 2018, racing fans waited with bated breath for the return of Enable. Musings on when and where the wonder mare would reappear were many and varied, but few predicted that the Arc De Triomphe heroine would make her seasonal debut at Kempton on the polytrack surface.

Almost two years prior, the regal Juddmonte homebred, who had garnered high regard at home, made her very first racecourse appearance on Newcastle’s Tapeta track.

That fateful day was the 28th of November 2016, when, of course, Flat racing had left the turf for the winter months, narrowing John Gosden’s choice to two: run his future star on the all-weather, or not until March.

Gosden did, however, have turf options in September of 2018, and when quizzed on the decision to run a then fivetime Gp1 winner on the all-weather, he had no hesitation: “We had aimed Enable at York, but it came about a week or ten days too early, so Kempton came at exactly the right time. The fact that it was on the all-weather didn’t concern me, as I knew exactly what I was going to get.”

For Enable’s return in the Gp3 September Stakes, the going was described as standard to slow, whereas on the very same day, Ascot raced on good to firm (good in places), while the going at Haydock was heavy. There are few surprises in the going on the all-weather; after all, the clue is in the name, and its consistency is very much appreciated by John Gosden, who says, “When the ground goes too firm in the summer, or during drought, or it becomes bottomless at the end of autumn, the all-weather is a nice place to be. It’s consistent, with bounce, and you can ride a proper race on it.”

It would, however, be unfair to look at all-weather racing as one entity, with “all-weather” encompassing various surfaces, mainly fibresand, polytrack and Tapeta™.

Not only this, but each racecourse has its own shape and quirks, as well as its own race programme. Just as on the turf, no two courses are the same. (See table, p22) Gosden is just one trainer who, unsurprisingly, has some favourites, as he shares, “The all-weather track I like the most is Newcastle; it’s very fair and has a good

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Tapeta surface. It has always been a fair, sweeping course; there are not too many hard luck stories there.” His favour for other all-weather tracks is not quite so strong, as he continues, “There’s no doubt that at the likes of Lingfield, you get some unevenly-run races, where they slow the pace down early on and sprint in the straight.”

The opinions of trainers on particular tracks undoubtedly has a great influence on what horses, including what standard of horse, they will run at each. Though he has less hands-on experience with the all-weather racecourses in the UK, French-based trainer John Hammond is impressed by the surface at Lingfield, saying, “I have walked the allweather track at Lingfield, and it is ‘night and day’ when compared to the all-weather tracks in France.”

When discussing all-weather racing, Hammond is keen to stress the importance of how each track is managed.

“All-weather tracks need to be very well maintained and managed by very good groundsmen. I don’t think they pay enough attention to these tracks in France, and they often get too quick.” Hammond could not recommend French all-weather courses’ consistency as Gosden had, as he says, “The all-weather tracks here vary considerably.

I wouldn’t mind running a good horse at Lingfield, or Kempton, but Chantilly can be a bit quick.”

All-weather surfaces have been touted for their lack of fatal injuries, but John Hammond sees a different type of injury on all-weather tracks, and this is one of the reasons he does not have many runners on the surface. “I do think young horses suffer from racing on the all-weather,” he says. “I see an increase in bone bruising to the hind cannon bone due to the fact that there is no slippage on synthetic surfaces.”

Hammond gained experience in California before taking out his training licence, which has had some effect on his views.

“America has torn up most of its all-weather tracks. They may have been applauded for fewer fatal injuries, but bone bruising causes intermittent lameness. This can leave a horse runnable but not performing at its best.”

When questioned on potentially running his stable stars on the all-weather, Hammond said, “I wouldn’t be keen on running my top horses on the all-weather in France. If the French all-weather tracks were a bit softer, I might be more keen on it. It didn’t do Enable any harm!”

| ALL-WEATHER RACING |

Enable and Frankie Dettori following their victory in the 2018 Prix de lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Arc de Triomphe

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| ALL-WEATHER RACING |

SURFACE

DESCRIPTION

RACECOURSES (IN EUROPE)

Polytrack

A mixture of silica sand, recycled synthetic fibres and recycled rubber/PVC; the entire mixture is coated with wax.

Cagnes Sur Mer, Chantilly, Chelmsford City, Deauville, Dundalk, Kempton Park, Lingfield Park, Marseille-Vivaux, Pau, Veliefendi

Tapeta™

A mixture of silica sand, wax and fibres.

Newcastle, Wolverhampton

Fibresand

Sand, fibre, rubber and wax makes up the top 4-7 inches of the racing surface, installed on top of either porous asphalt or a geotextile membrane.

Southwell, Wallonie (Belgium), Zarzuela (Spain)

Other

BELOW: Mendelssohn wins the Kentucky Derby qualifier at Dundalk

22

Peter Schiergen is another envious one of the allweather tracks in Britain and is frustrated by those offered in his base of Germany. He says, “There are currently two all-weather tracks in Germany; Dortmund and Neuss.

Unfortunately, the tracks have a surface which was installed back in the days when I was still a jockey. For me, this surface is not contemporary anymore.” Schiergen sees how the surface quality affects the horses running on the all-weather in Germany, adding, “The standard of all-weather racing in Germany is only at a low-level. Years ago, we had black type racing on the all-weather, as well as some valuable prizes, but unfortunately not anymore.

I look at Lingfield, Kempton and Newcastle, where they have very good racing and this year alone, hosted such classy horses as Enable and Crystal Ocean.”

Track maintenance and its undeniable influence on the surface is also a concern of Michael Halford, who has been champion trainer at Dundalk Racecourse for the last six years. He has seen a great change in the surface since its installation, as he tells, “As a facility, I’m very happy with Dundalk; it’s well-managed and provides a very helpful service to owners, trainers and jockeys. The only

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Capanelle (Italy), Dortmund, Neuss (Germany), Varese (Italy), Pornichet, Lyon la Soie (France)

thing I’m unhappy with is that the surface has become tired and needs to be replaced. When first installed, it was the best artificial surface I, along with many other trainers and overseas jockeys, had seen. Like most things, it has deteriorated over time.”

Attempts have been made to turn back the clock, as he continues, “Over the past two years, they have turned the surface over and replenished it with fibre. The benefit of that is coming to an end, and the bounce has gone out of it.”

The surface quality has a direct effect on the types of horses running there, as Halford adds, “The standard of trainers and their horses running at Dundalk shows many are willing to run their better horses there. It’s important to keep it that way and is imperative that we update the surface.”

Dundalk, Ireland’s only all-weather track, has a history of hosting top-class racehorses: Gordon Lord Byron, Rich Tapestry, Slade Power and Sole Power are some of the Gp1 winners to have shed their maiden tags at the venue.

I choose this quartet in particular for their international and globetrotting reputations, as Dundalk has become an important place to prep horses for international campaigns. Russian Soul was a regular visitor to the Dubai

| INDUSTRY |

ABOVE L-R: Peter Schiergen, John Hammond, Ralph Beckett

| ALL-WEATHER RACING |

Carnival for Michael Halford in the past, and his first trip to Meydan in 2013 was preceded by a win and two seconds at Dundalk. He followed up with four placed starts at the Carnival, before qualifying for the Gp1 Al Quoz Sprint.

Halford confirms the importance of Dundalk in this respect: “We found that if a horse handled Dundalk, they handled the Tapeta in Dubai. It’s also great to have the option of a prep run or working at Dundalk, as it was always our policy of sending over our horses as fit as possible.” Dundalk was also used as a stepping stone by Aidan O’Brien with Mendelssohn, who progressed from winning the Listed Patton Stakes in Ireland, to annihilating his opposition in the Grade 2 UAE Derby on the Dubai dirt, before travelling stateside for the Kentucky Derby.

The top-class performers mentioned earlier in this article and included in the table below are just some examples of notable all-weather graduates. By no means an all-inclusive list, but they do, however, illustrate the calibre of horses racing on the all-weather surface—something that may not have been believed when the surface was first introduced.

In spite of this, these horses are highly regarded for their performances on the turf, rather than the talent they have shown on the all-weather, and this is partly due to the allweather Stakes programme. (See table below) The first Listed race to be run on the all-weather was the Listed Wulfrun Stakes in 1995, and it took another ten years until a Gp3 would be introduced: the Silver

Trophy Stakes at Lingfield. One wonders when the first Gp2 will be staged on the all-weather, given the illustrious winners the surface can boast. Brian Kavanagh, chairman of the European Pattern Committee, is encouraged by the standard of Stakes winners on the all-weather, saying, “I think all-weather racing has made great strides in recent years with the development of co-ordinated programmes including black type races in Britain, France and Ireland.

The All-Weather Championships Final on Good Friday has quickly become a highlight of the British Flat season.”

Indeed, the All-Weather Championships has boosted the profile and prize money of its namesake surface. In 2019, the All-Weather Finals Day will boast a purse of £1,000,000 while Newcastle also hosts a quality allweather fixture worth £250,000. According to the event’s website, “The Championships aims to improve the quality and reputation of all-weather racing and encourage owners and trainers to keep their horses in training during the winter months.” The numbers entered confirm that the event has fulfilled its promise, with Finals Day also attracting runners from Ireland and France; the latter captured three of the Finals races in 2018.

Its appeal reaches even further, with four German raiders taking part in the 2018 running of the Listed Prix Lyphard, a fast-track qualifier for Finals Day. Peter Schiergen was one of those with an entry and he said, “First of all, the All-Weather Championships are a great

ALL-WEATHER RACE

GROUP 1 GRADUATES

Prix Darshaan, Staged in March at Chantilly

2018: Won by Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Talismanic, beating Prix Ganay winner and Arc second Cloth Of Stars 2017: Heshem finished second, his same placing in the Group 1 Dubai Turf on his next start 2016: Won by subsequent Group 1 winner Elliptique, chased home by Manatee and Gailo Chop 2015: Won by Dolniya, with Flintshire in second – positions they mirrored in the Dubai Sheema Classic

September Stakes (Group 3) Staged at Kempton

2018: Won by Enable, with Crystal Ocean in second 2015: Won by Jack Hobbs, winner of the Irish Derby on his previous start 2013 & 2014: Won both years by Prince Bishop, a Group 1 winner on dirt and Tapeta in Dubai 2012: Won by Dandino, who finished 2nd in the Grade 1 Canadian International Stakes on his next start

Diamond Stakes (Group 3) Staged at Dundalk in September/October

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2008: Won by Muhannak, who followed up in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon a month later 2009: Won by five-time Group 1 winner Mastercraftsman and was sandwiched between his Irish Champion Stakes third and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile fourth 2010: Won by Grade 1 winner Gitano Hernando 2012: Won by Declaration Of War, who went on to win two Group 1s the following year 2013: Won by Dewhurst Stakes victor Parish Hall

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ABOVE: Racing at Lingfield Park INSET: John Gosden

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addition to the European winter programme and makes Flat racing more interesting during the winter. I do not usually have horses for the all-weather, as my focus is on the turf and the German season. However, with a horse like Ross, who finished runner-up in the Gp2 Godolphin Mile two years ago, we have been thinking about it, until we got the invitation to Dubai for World Cup day.”

Ralph Beckett has been vocal in his lack of enthusiasm for all-weather racing, and even he is impressed by the event, saying, “I think the quality has improved thanks to the AllWeather Championships.” John Hammond echoes Beckett’s sentiment, saying, “The All-Weather Championships is a great creation for those specialist horses.”

The increase in opportunities brought by all-weather racing is undeniable, and Peter Schiergen is one of undoubtedly many who would take advantage of these, if they were offered. He speaks of the changes he would like to see in order to have more runners on the all-weather.

“As a trainer in Germany, the offering of all-weather racing is bad. I would have more runners on it if we had a better programme. For example, on the 30th of November, I had two horses (rated 48 and 53) for the same owner running in a handicap, because it is the only race available for them in the whole of November. I have another mare, who normally runs over ten to fourteen furlongs, who I had to run over nine and a half furlongs in mid-November because the next suitable race would be on the 21st of December. Germany needs a change in all-weather racing.”

Hammond, like most, can see the benefit in all-weather racing, even if he might not run his stable stars on it. He says, “The one thing that really, really surprised everyone, including those who initially criticized the installation of an all-weather track in Deauville, is that there is never more balloting out than the all-weather racing in the middle of the winter. Without a doubt, there is definitely a need for all-weather racing because the races are always

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| ALL-WEATHER RACING |

full, especially in Deauville.” The popularity of all-weather racing was clear on the 28th of November 2017, when a mile and a half handicap at Deauville was split into seven divisions, each with 15 runners or more—a new record.

Hammond is also very sure of the standard of horse it suits, saying, “For average horses, all-weather racing is very good news during the winter and therefore, good news for owners. All-weather racing definitely has its place, without a doubt, but I wouldn’t support switching any more turf fixtures to the synthetic.”

The opinion that all-weather racing “has its place” is one much shared, as John Gosden comments, “All-weather racing has its place in racing, particularly when you have two-year-olds you want to get out and educate. Whereas before, there were five completely dead months.” Michael Halford, too, celebrates the opportunities it has brought to winter racing: “Dundalk is hugely important to Irish racing—it’s changed the Flat industry completely. It’s scary to think that not too long ago, we stopped racing at the end of October and wouldn’t return until March. The winter programme provides a lifeline to a huge amount of trainers.”

So, with the advances of all-weather racing, has it yet measured up to its age-old rival, the turf? “I don’t consider all-weather the poor relation,” answers Gosden.

“I think it simply compliments turf racing. I would describe it as more of a younger brother or sister to turf racing.” John Hammond chose his side with his reply: “I’m just a big fan of grass racing.”

But how about the powers that be? “Far from the poor relation, all-weather racing has become a mainstay of Flat racing in Britain, France and Ireland,” comments Brian Kavanagh, adding, “It is vital to the survival and development of many trainers and riders.” So does this mean we will see all-weather races upgraded? “I think the path we are on is the right one, and I look forward to the day we are running Gp2 and Gp1 races on the all-weather.”

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Alysen Miller Eclipse Sportswire, Caroline Norris, Marc Rühl

T

he eighth World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina were not, it is perhaps fair to say, an unbridled success. From unfinished facilities to misspelt signage and, most catastrophically, an entire endurance race that had to be aborted after riders were sent in the wrong direction, the competition generated so much negative coverage that the future of

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the Games themselves, already in some doubt, now appears to be hanging by a thread. (At the time of writing, no formal bidders had thrown their hats into the ring for the 2022 renewal.) So it might seem to be a strange time to ask if horseracing has anything to learn from the Fédération Équestre International (FEI).

And yet, there is one area in which the FEI is arguably setting an example.

Unlike the global racing industry, which operates under myriad rules and regulations between different countries

(and sometimes within the same country), all 134 affiliated nations of the FEI operate under a single set of rules. This includes a single Prohibited Substances Policy to which all jurisdictions must adhere; meaning that a horse trained in Australia is subject to exactly the same medical requirements, including regulations governing banned substances and threshold limits, as a horse trained in, say, America. This stands in stark contrast to the thoroughbred industry.

Despite being an increasingly global

| FEI – PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES |

W HAT CO ULD HO RS ERA C ING LE ARN F R OM T HE F EI ?

game, from the now-traditional annual American invasion of Royal Ascot to the recent domination of the Melbourne Cup by European-trained horses, racing can appear positively parochial when it comes to its attitudes towards prohibited substances. “If you compare horseracing to other sports, we have one of the sole sports where there are no equal regulations on the highest level,” elucidates Germany’s Peter Schiergen. “To have [the same] regulations and policies around the world would be a good action for horse racing.”

So what are the factors standing in the way of global harmonisation, and would there ever be a case for following the FEI’s lead and adopting a single set of rules that would apply to horseracing authorities the world over?

The FEI’s approach is to divide prohibited substances into two categories: banned substances (that is, substances that are deemed by the FEI to have no legitimate use in competition and/or have a high potential for abuse, including all anabolic steroids and their esters),

To have [the same] regulations and policies around the world would be a good action for horse racing.

PETER SCHIERGEN

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which are not permitted at any time; and controlled medication (substances that are deemed to have a therapeutic value and/or are commonly used in equine medicine), which are not permitted for use during competition but may be used at other times. These categorisations apply to all national and international competitions, with each national federation being subject to the FEI’s regulations. Testing at competitions is carried out by the FEI’s own veterinary department, while elective out-of-competition testing is also available so that those responsible for the horse can ensure that they allow the appropriate withdrawal times for therapeutic medications. So just how effective are these rules at keeping prohibited substances out of the sport and ensuring a level playing field? Clearly, no system is perfect. The FEI has had its fair share of doping scandals, particularly in the endurance discipline, where stamina, which can be easily enhanced with the

Samples are routinely analysed to detect anabolic steroids

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aid of pharmacology, is of paramount importance. The FEI, who declined to be interviewed for this article, said in a statement: “Clean sport is an absolute must for the FEI and it is clear that we, like all International Federations, need to continue to work to get the message across that clean sport and a level playing field are non-negotiable. All athletes and National Federations know that regardless of where in the world they compete the rules are the same.” Yet having a global policy does appear to offer a strategic advantage to those seeking to create a level playing field, not only through the creation of economies of scale (the FEI oversees laboratories around the world, and all results are all handled at the federation’s headquarters in Lausanne), but also by creating a framework for cheats to be exiled from all competitions, rather than just one country’s.

While harmonisation and crossborder cooperation does exist in racing, particularly within Europe and individual race meetings—notably the recent Breeders’ Cup—have taken it upon themselves to enact their own programme of pre- and post-race testing, effectively creating their own anti-doping ecosystem; the fact remains that racing lacks an overarching prohibited substances policy. Codes and customs vary widely from—at one end of the spectrum—Germany, which does not allow any colt that has run on declared medication to stand at stud; to North America, where, Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown, whose

Control of anabolic steroids is very important if you want a level playing field. Because there’s no doubt whatsoever that there are advantages to using them.

MARK JOHNSTON

trainer admitted that he gave the colt a monthly dose of the anabolic steroid, stanozolol, is still active at stud. Stanozolol is the same drug that the Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson tested positive for in 1988, causing him to be stripped of his gold medal in the Seoul Olympics.

Although the industry subsequently moved to outlaw the drug for use on horses in training, anabolic steroids are still routinely used as an out-of-competition treatment in a number of states.

“I don’t think the playing field is level,” says Mark Johnston, with typical candour.

“Control of anabolic steroids is very important if you want a level playing field.

Because there’s no doubt whatsoever that there are advantages to using them.”

“Our rules are quite specific in this regard,” says Brant Dunshea, chief regulatory officer of the British Horseracing Authority. “We require any horse coming from an overseas jurisdiction to submit to international import testing well before they are permitted to race here, to ensure that

| FEI – PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES |

THE MAIN DRUGS: WHAT IS ALLOWED AND HOW DO THEY WORK? Anabolic Steroids

Status: Banned by the FEI for use at all times.

Widely banned in racing for horses both in and out of training, although still used in some racing jurisdictions, particularly in North America, as an out-oftraining medication.

Withdrawal time: Approx. 6 months Effects: Anabolic steroids mimic the effects of testosterone on the body, leading to increases in muscle size, strength and power.

Lasix (Furosemide)

Status: Defined by the

FEI as a controlled medication; that is, not permitted in competition.

Lasix is used as an out-of-competition medication in many racing jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom. It is permitted as a raceday medication in North America.

Withdrawal time: Approx. 48 hours Effects: Furosemide is a diuretic that has been shown to reduce pulmonary blood pressure (one of the causes of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage) as a consequence of water loss.

any horse that races here in Britain is racing on a level playing field.” But while an overseas horse coming to run in the UK may be ‘clean’ on arrival, this does not address the potential lasting legacy of being trained on anabolic steroids back home. Anabolic steroids mimic the function of testosterone in the body, leading to increased muscle size, strength and power. Veterinarians suggest that anabolic steroids can take six months to clear a horse’s system. “It’s one of the reasons we undertake hair testing,” says Dunshea. “With hair testing we can see evidence of historical administration of anabolic steroids going back a very long period of time. So if there was evidence of that, then that would be dealt with.” But is it really possible to disaggregate the effect of being trained longer and harder, or the ability to recover from injury quicker, during a crucial part of a horse’s earlier life? Johnston, for one, does not think so: “I think there is now strong evidence that there is a lasting effect of using anabolic [steroids] in young horses. The muscle built through drug use is retained later.

So you can improve a horse and make it run beyond its genetic ability with the use of anabolic steroids.” And what of the potential downstream effect on the breeding industry? “The most important argument for me is to remind ourselves of the main objective of breeding and racing: to improve the quality of the horse and to find the best individuals,” says Schiergen.

“Probably, these horses would have never

Phenylbutazone (Bute)

Status: Defined by the FEI as a controlled medication; that is, not permitted in competition. Bute is widely used as an out-ofcompetition medication in racing. It is still permitted as a raceday medication in two states: Wyoming and South Dakota.

Withdrawal time: Approx. 1 week Effects: Bute treatment for inflammation and pain that works by inhibiting a class of enzymes called cyclooxygenases. Activation of these enzymes is a necessary step in the chain of events that results in inflammation.

shown their peak performance without the substances. And afterwards we start breeding with these horses, which have just been the best of their generation because of the use of these substances.”

Until a universal position on anabolic steroids can be agreed, it is clear that this will remain a stumbling block on the road towards adapting a global policy. The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) has valiantly made strides in this area. It publishes guidelines on prohibited substances, defined as any substance capable of giving a horse an advantage or causing it to be disadvantaged in a race, contrary to the horse’s inherent merits, as well as threshold limits for substances endogenous to the horse. Under

the IFHA’s model, the use of anabolic steroids is considered to be prohibited at all times. However, its International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering is, for all its noble intentions, non-binding.

The reality is that significant cross-border discrepancies remain—many of these deeply culturally entrenched. (Tellingly, the United States is not a signatory to the agreement’s Article 6E: the article that stipulates that anabolic steroids must not be administered to a racehorse at any time during its career, including when out of training.)

While anabolic steroids are one bone of contention, another is raceday medications such as Lasix. Elsewhere in the world, the use of raceday medications is almost uniformly prohibited. By contrast, the use of furosemide, to give it its chemical name, as a raceday medication has become almost ubiquitous in the United States, with more than 90% of horses given the drug before competing. “It’s defined by science as the

We require any horse coming from an overseas jurisdiction to submit to international import testing well before they are permitted to race here, to ensure that any horse that races here in Britain is racing on a level playing field.

BRANT DUNSHEA

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most efficacious medication for preventing or mitigating the circumstances revolved around EIPH [exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage],” says Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association. Furosemide appears on the FEI’s Prohibited Substance List as a controlled medication, meaning it is not permitted in competition. This may be due to its perceived performance-enhancing effects or its potential to mask other drugs.

Yet the American appetite for Lasix shows no signs of abating. “Veterinarians, research, all tell us that in order to help an equine athlete with a very real problem, if we can control it, and if science tells us that that’s what’s best for the horse, then that’s what I think we should do. No one forces anybody to run their horse on Lasix. It’s a choice,” says Hamelback. “If you choose not to, or you believe it’s bad for the horse then don’t run them on it.” While there are stirrings

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| FEI – PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES |

of dissent among some US-based trainers, the recent climbdown by the Breeders’ Cup over its limited ban on Lasix illustrates just how thick a wedge still exists between continental and North American attitudes.

Of course, the debate surrounding pharmacology and sport is not new, nor is it unique to the racing industry. As long as there has been a prize to be won, athletes have exploited every means at their disposal in their quest to leave no margin left ungained. As far back as the first Olympic Games in Ancient Greece in 776 BC, athletes tried to increase their physical prowess by eating sheep testicles prior to competition (sheep testicles are a prime source of testosterone—the very same hormone that anabolic steroids are designed to mimic). It is also unlikely to be settled any time soon, harmonisation or not. And yet despite the deeply entrenched views held by all sides, the signs are that the arc of history is trending toward even greater globalisation. So will racing ever follow the FEI’s lead and adopt a single code? The BHA, for one, is open-minded: “One ought never to consider that they can’t learn from other sports in terms of the battle against anti-doping threats,” says Dunshea. The trainers interviewed for this article agree: “It would be wonderful if we could be global with our rules. Not just on medication, on many other things. It would be wonderful if we were all singing from the same hymn sheet,” says Johnston. His sentiments are echoed by Schiergen: “In my opinion we need a customised catalogue regarding our requirements with rules which are similar all around the world. We are internationalising our sports in all areas, so let’s do it in this area as well. We all want the best racehorse to win.” Until then, as long as the stakes remain high, in a sport where milliseconds—mere pixels in a photo finish—can make the difference between first and second, it is likely that some trainers will continue to adopt a “when in Rome” approach to medications in their bid to be first past the post.

PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES FACT BOX FEI

Horseracing

● International governing body for equestrian sports, including dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, para-equestrian, reining, show jumping and vaulting.

● No global governing body for horse racing. Each racing jurisdiction is free to set its own anti-doping and prohibited substances rules.

● The same rules apply for all national and international competitions. Each national federation is subject to the FEI’s rules.

● The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities publishes guidelines on prohibited substances and threshold limits.

● Testing at competitions is carried out by the FEI’s own veterinary department.

● Participation is on a voluntary basis.

● Elective out-of-competition testing is also available.

● Raceday and out-of-competition testing are the responsibility of the individual racing authority.

Bringing Nature’s Light Indoors

T

he Equilume Stable Lighting System is a breakthrough in lighting technology that provides biologically effective light and replicates the benefits of the natural environment for the stabled horse.

Within our industry, there have been amazing advances in nutritional science, veterinary science and training technologies, but until now we have remained very much in the dark in relation to one crucial environmental factor that impacts health and performance - lighting.

Modern management of racehorses requires that they spend a large proportion of the 24-h day indoors, unexposed to optimum daylight and frequently disrupted by light at night. Horses kept in this manner often have impaired immune function, performance capacity, appetite and rest. The source of this physiological dysfunction lies with the horse’s circadian system failing to operate optimally. Horses that live outdoors and are exposed to bright daylight and consistent transitions to darkness at dusk and light at dawn have a strong circadian system that regulates 24-h rhythms throughout the body. In the absence of these strong daily environmental light rhythms, bodily functions flat-line and performance suffers.

Advertorial

transitions at dawn and dusk which avoids the stress caused by abrupt changes in lighting and allows the horse’s body to slowly prepare for periods of activity or rest.

Finally, not only does the Equilume system enhance health by strengthening daily rhythms, a specially customised programme replicates seasonal changes in day-length such that performance capacity is optimised all year round. Horses experience spring sooner and autumn later, extending the season of peak performance and ensuring they put on muscle and are in the best possible skin throughout the year. And because light influences humans just as powerfully as it does our horses, even staff working in proximity will have an added pep in their step!

From a management perspective Equilume’s LED technology functions at a fraction of the cost of traditional stable lighting, greatly minimising overheads. The system’s ability to naturally enhance the horses’ health and strengthen the immune system will also cut down on vet bills during the season.

Equilume have developed a customised lighting system that, when installed, immediately acts to influence health, performance and welfare by naturally strengthening the horse’s internal rhythms.

Leading Irish trainer Jessica Harrington reports that “The horses maintained under the Equilume Stable Light are all very relaxed, they lie down a lot and eat incredibly well. Over the time I’ve had them, the horses have been running well and maintained their form throughout the year.”

A key component of the Equilume system is the blue-enriched daytime light that mimics the spectrum of natural daylight and boosts metabolism, alertness, appetite and reduces the growth of bacteria and fungi in the horse’s environment. The light produced facilitates a cleaner environment and contributes to improved respiratory health, reduced infections and accelerated wound healing.

A second unique component of the system is that the lights dim to red at night. As we frequently interact with horses after sunset, it is often necessary to turn on lights at night. White light at night is a major cause of reduced health and welfare in humans and horses as it disrupts circadian rhythms. The horse’s immune system is stronger when it is allowed adequate rest and recovery and this is better promoted under low levels of red light. New research now shows that red light facilitates better quality rest and also has a calming effect on animals with behavioural issues.

A third component of this innovative system is gradual light

For more information about the Equilume Stable Lighting System visit our website or contact us.

+353 45 40 7040

info@equilume.com

www.equilume.com

| INDUSTRY |

Lissa Oliver Shutterstock, Caroline Norris, Zuzanna Lupa

TR AIN E RS â&#x20AC;&#x2122; M E NTAL HEALTH AN D WELLBEIN G 34

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| T R A I N E R S M E N T A L H E A LT H |

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here is no doubt that the welfare of the horse is important and the public perception of how we care for the horse in training and on retirement impacts directly on the level of support we can expect from sponsors, racegoers and governments. The care of the horse, however, is wholly dependent upon those it is entrusted to and they are the ones who have often been neglected.

Racing Welfare was founded in the UK in 2000 and the service was expanded in 2014. In Ireland, the Industry Assistance Programme (IAP) was launched in 2016 and receives great publicity from Irish racing publications.

Both support systems are easily accessed and provide a free and confidential 24-hour service, seven days a week, for everyone working, or who has previously worked, within the thoroughbred industry and their immediate family members.

Sadly, this is not the case elsewhere, but not from want of need. Many German trainers feel the wellbeing of industry professionals in German racing is sadly ignored.

If the Direktorium has any regard or respect for stable staff, it is escaping without notice.

“At the Baden-Baden meetings, the stable staff are still living in squalor by today’s standards,” one trainer, who prefers not to be named, tells us. “Jockeys with welfare or alcohol problems are pushed aside and never heard of again. There is no Injured Jockeys Fund, no helplines or advice for a future career. For this day and age that is a really shameful state of affairs.

“It’s time these issues were aired. After all, without our dedicated workforce we have no racing. I have personally helped various people from the industry who have fallen on hard times, even in one case an attempted suicide, and have received no support. It has reached a point where I now only run horses in France when at all possible, I have lost all faith in German racing.”

That really is a damning indictment, particularly as one trainer went so far as to say that their support of an industry professional who had hit rock bottom earned them nothing but derision. It is interesting, too, that none of these individuals wanted to be named. Not for their own modesty, but in respect of the confidentiality of those they had helped.

This same sense of a lack of care and concern was reiterated by a French trainer unaware of AFASEC (www. afasec.fr), a service for racing and breeding professionals.

AFASEC (Association of Training and Social Action Racing Stables) was commissioned by France Galop and the French Horse Encouragement Society in 1988 for the training and support of employees of racing stables throughout their career path. The association is managed under the double supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

AFASEC ensures the training of future employees through the French Horse Racing School and offers support to employees throughout their professional life. Five social workers and two social and family economics counsellors are at the disposal of 4,000 French racing professionals.

Their mission is to inform, help and support in their professional and personal lives. The social workers can then refer those looking for support to relevant services.

The lack of awareness of this service among some French trainers suggests that more publicity is needed to ensure every racing industry professional has the necessary contact details and can avail of this service when required. The need for trainers to make such services known and displayed in the yard is paramount.

The confidentiality of the support network set up in Britain and Ireland is vital to its success, and Racing Welfare and HRI/CARE prefer not to reveal figures regarding the number of individuals who have availed of the service.

However, Racing Welfare supported more than 2,200 people in 2017 with a wide range of challenges, which represents a significant proportion of racing’s workforce.

One trainer who is happy to discuss the help she received from the IAP is Clare Cannon, in County Down, Northern Ireland. She holds a Restricted Licence, with only four horses in her yard, and struggles to make her business pay.

Following the particularly harsh winter and spiralling costs, coupled with the retirement of her best horse, Cannon considered giving up and joining the many Irish trainers to have relinquished their licence this year.

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points out. “A lot of things had happened to me on top of each other. It reached a point when I thought, ‘why am I even doing this’? The biggest thing is that since going to the IAP I’ve had such a great season. If I’d not got help and I’d given up, I would have been watching someone else having a great year with my horses.”

That’s a sobering thought, and Cannon considers it important to share her experience, to prevent someone else giving up unnecessarily. “People have to talk,” she says. “It’s hard to talk to your family and often you get no help from your doctor, so who do you go to? The IAP is so important.

“The doctor tried to put me on antidepressants, but that wasn’t the route I wanted to take. I felt what I really needed was some moral support. I needed support, but I could be six months on the waiting list for a counselling service through my doctor, and I just didn’t have the money to pay for private help. HRI had been very proactive and had sent out a lot of leaflets, so I tried the IAP. “The process was a little bit of backwards and forwards to begin with, to be connected with the right help and to show I was committed, but I was helped very quickly. I was so happy with the outcome. Mental health is so hard to get help with unless you are going private and that’s hard to pay for, which is often the root of the problem in the first place.”

Cannon also highlights another dilemma that can hold people back from contacting support networks. “At one point I thought, here I am looking for the industry to support me and I don’t even feel like I belong. But then I remembered my licence and I pay every year to have that and to train horses, so why shouldn’t I try this? But I did wonder whether I was eligible; I was expecting to be knocked back.

“The IAP helped me with six sessions of counselling. The counsellor helped me recognise my negative thought patterns were unjustified and taught me how to break them. I literally came back from the last session when a grant application for a project I have been trying to get off the ground needed to be in, and her words were still buzzing in my ears, so I just sat down and filled in the form and sent it off.

“To receive that grant was so important. Without it, I couldn’t get the project off the ground. My passion is to help others. Setting up the project ‘Behind The Stable Door’ was an integral part of my recovery; it’s my passion.

A LOT OF THINGS HAD HAPPENED TO ME ON TOP OF EACH OTHER. IT REACHED A POINT WHEN I THOUGHT, ‘WHY AM I EVEN DOING THIS’?

THE BIGGEST THING IS THAT SINCE GOING TO THE IAP I’VE HAD SUCH A GREAT SEASON. CLARE CANNON

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I was struggling to find my niche and I wanted to help people, but my time is tied to the farm; I can’t leave the farm. I wanted to be able to open my stable doors to people with disabilities and learning difficulties, to enable them to come in and work alongside me and develop skills, responsibility and purpose.”

Through the IAP, Cannon was able to achieve that goal, diversify her business and improve her own quality of life as well as that of others.

There clearly is a need for a free and confidential helpline in every racing jurisdiction, and the benefits to staff recruitment and, just as importantly, retention are obvious. Visitors to the existing welfare websites are greeted with a modern view of a career for life, with personal development and training, support network and career paths clearly defined.

• http://www.workinracing.ie/industry-welfare • https://racingwelfare.co.uk

| T R A I N E R S ’ M E N T A L H E A LT H |

This is the image we need to present to the general public if we want to attract newcomers to the industry, but importantly we need to provide the services both websites offer in order to retain staff. There are a variety of reasons why staff can become disillusioned with their job and seek a change, and the racing industry is unique in some of the other challenges it can present in daily work. The stress, commitment and personal attachment when working with animals is unlike that faced in any other workplace, and if we extend that to the trainer, who must cope with all of those aspects in addition to managing staff and supporting them as they cope, the need for a support system is clear.

Where such a system is not in place, it is falling on the shoulders of trainers to do their best for employees and former employees. Who is there to help the trainer and ensure the support they are attempting to offer is of value? By ignoring this issue and allowing the burden to

ABOVE: During a tough spell, trainer Clare Cannon had considered handing in her trainer’s licence before she sought help.

fall on the trainer, the racing authority is simply creating an additional victim.

Simone Sear, Racing Welfare explains “Racing Welfare is committed to supporting the mental wellbeing of everyone working in or retired from the horseracing industry. We already provide a range of services to support physical and mental wellbeing. However, in order to improve and develop these to meet the needs of today’s workforce, we have undertaken an industry-wide research project in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) which has been part funded by a grant from The Racing Foundation. The study is being led by LJMU’s Will McConn and focuses on the relationship between an individual’s mental health and a life in racing.

Will has met with 130 people across the country through a series of interviews and regional focus groups, and although trainers are not the sole focus of the research, they have provided a highly valuable insight.

“Positive mental health enables people to reach their full potential, work productively, cope with life’s stressors and contribute to their communities. This ground-breaking research will enable Racing Welfare, and the wider horseracing industry, to make evidence based decisions in order to develop bespoke mental health support services that are fully accessible to everyone in racing.”

In September 2017 Racing Welfare sponsored an industry-wide research programme conducted by Will McConn. “Not exclusive to trainers, but trainers have played a really important part,” as Marshall tells us.

“Will McConn has spent the whole year going around the country, meeting with people working in the racing industry and mapping out the state of mental health, looking at the main reasons for stress and how that impacts on wellbeing.

“His work with racing staff is nearly finished and he will now be catching racecourse staff and associated professions. His findings will be ready for publication in May. Racing is a very forward-thinking industry, and we think we know some of the issues, but it’s a case of getting the evidence; we’re finding some things that no one has previously thought about. It will impact the shape of the services we offer, and we hope it will drive racing to the forefront of sport. It’s very exciting and every time I talk about it to someone, we recognise this is going to be huge,” reveals Marshall.

The services offered by Racing Welfare are already broad and include Racing’s Support Line, a 24-hour helpline that enables people to access support and guidance through digital, telephone and SMS text options. An “Ask a Question” feature allows users to seek personalised advice and coaching through a web form, and a “Live Chat” feature lets people communicate directly in real-time with an adviser.

Staff also have access to support from the National Chaplain to Horseracing, regardless of their religious beliefs. The service provides support to individuals or to entire yards or studs at times of crisis or need. Pastor Simon Bailey has built a pastoral care team for the support of racing staff throughout the UK, and anyone can contact him on 07877 981498 or at sbailey@racingwelfare.co.uk The “Be Friendly” service was launched in January 2018 and is a telephone befriending service for vulnerable, ISSUE 64 TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM

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lonely or isolated people from the horseracing industry.

The service is named after the dual Haydock Sprint Cup winner owned by Sir Peter O’Sullevan, a long-standing supporter of the charity. Trained Befrienders make calls on a regular basis, not only to have a chat but also to ensure that everything is OK. In Ireland, the IAP recognises the insufficient support mechanisms within the industry. Advancement and bettering yourself is only a goal if you are well, physically and mentally.

The IAP is completely independent and confidential from HRI and is delivered by Workplace Options, who recently launched the iConnectYou app, available to download from the Apple Store or from Google Play.

Patrick Ryan, coordinator of the CARE department within HRI, is one of the driving forces behind increasing awareness of the IAP and says, “We’ve been busy spreading the word about the Industry Assistance Programme (IAP), during the summer we sent information packs to all training establishments and stud farms in Ireland. We are keen to highlight that the IAP is available to everyone in the Irish Racing industry and the programme is 100% independent, 100% confidential, available to access 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year, and completely free of charge to access.

“Workplace Options (who deliver the IAP on behalf of HRI) launched an app this summer called iConnectYou, the app is a great addition as people may find it easier to look for support through text rather than speaking to somebody over the phone, it may be a less daunting way of coming forward and looking for help. The programme also offers face-to-face counselling if it is deemed necessary. It means that everyone who works in Irish racing, no matter what their personal circumstances, has access to professional support.”

The IAP is staffed by a team of qualified professionals in fields such as wellbeing, family matters, relationships,

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workplace issues, consumer rights, and much more, but it is not just for serious personal issues. It can also be used as an information service, for example if you are heading on holiday and want a list of hotels with professional child-minding facilities, the IAP will source that information for you, freeing you up to concentrate on the things that are important to you.

It is accessible by phone, email, instant messaging and website, offering professional consultation, shortterm counselling, information, resources and referrals to services in your local area, and there is no limit to the number of issues you can gain support on.

Areas of expertise include emotional wellbeing, disability and illness, substance and alcohol misuse, personal development, work-life balance, workplace pressure, managing change, career guidance, childcare, elder care, education, domestic violence or abuse, consumer rights, relocation, pregnancy and new baby, adoption, marriage and cohabitation, separation and divorce, bereavement and loss, and retirement.

Isn’t it high time these valuable services were made available to all trainers and industry personnel, in every European racing jurisdiction?

IT MEANS THAT EVERYONE WHO WORKS IN IRISH RACING, NO MATTER WHAT THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES, HAS ACCESS TO PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT.

www.cavalor.com | Consumer line 7/7 +44 (0)1352 746100

| VETERINARY |

Professor Celia M Marr Professor Celia M Marr, Alamy

ULCER MEDICATIONS: AR E THE PRODUC TS DIFF ERENT?

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| ULCERS

|

MEASURES TO HELP PREVENT RECURRENCE OF EQUINE GASTRIC ULCER SYNDROME Feeding: The horse’s digestive system has evolved for continuous intake of low-quality forage; domestication has altered feed habits but not the anatomy or physiology of the stomach: • Ensure continuous access to water.

• Allow the horse access to pasture as much as possible.

• Feed up to 8 small concentrate meals per day at 1.5 kg DM/100 kg BW. • Encourage the horse to eat more forage, ideally hay.

• Replace part of the forage ration with lucerne or alfalfa that is capable of neutralising acid more effectively than grass hay.

• Reduce starch in the diet to < 2 g/kg body weight starch per day and < 1g/kg body weight per meal.

• Cubes usually have lower starch content than mix.

• Barley or oats are preferable to other starches.

• Vegetable oil may be beneficial particularly for glandular disease.

Fig

1

Fig 1 The equine stomach has two regions: the upper region is the squamous portion and the lower region is the glandular portion. The squamous portion is lined by pale pink tissue which is susceptible to acid damage. The glandular portion is lined by darker purple tissue. Acid is produced in this region. In this horse, the stomach lining is healthy and unblemished. The froth is due to saliva which is continuously swallowed.

Fig 2 This horse shows signs of discomfort. She carries her head low, her ears are back a little, and the muscles of the face are clenched, affecting the shape of the nostrils and eye.

Exercise: Pressure within the abdomen squeezes the stomach and allows the acid to splash up towards the unprotected part of the stomach: • Approximately 30 minutes prior to exercise, feed 1 or 2 handfuls of alfalfa, which will act as a sponge to soak up the liquid acid.

Stomach ulcers are not all the same

Racehorse trainers and their vets first began to be aware of stomach ulcers over 20 years ago. The reasons why we became aware of ulcers are related to technological advances, which produced endoscopes long enough to get into the equine stomach. At that time, scopes were typically about 2.5m long and were most effective in examining the upper area of the stomach, which is called the squamous portion. Once this technology became available, it was quickly appreciated that it is very common for racehorses to have ulcers in the squamous portion of the stomach.

The equine stomach has two main areas: the squamous portion and the glandular portion. The stomach sits more or less in the middle of the horse, immediately behind the diaphragm and in front of and above the large colon. Imagine the stomach as a large balloon with the oesophagus—the gullet—entering halfway up the front side and slightly to the left of the balloon-shaped stomach and the exit point also coming out the front side but slightly lower and to the right side. The tissue around the exit—the pylorus—and the lower one-third, the glandular portion, has a completely different lining to the top twothirds, the squamous portion.

The stomach produces acid to start the digestive process. Ulceration of the squamous portion is caused by this acid. Like the human oesophagus, the lining of the squamous portion has very limited defences against acid. But, the acid is actually produced in the lower, glandular portion. The position of the stomach is between the diaphragm, which moves backwards as the horse breathes in and the heavy large intestine which tends to

Fig

2

push forwards as the horse moves. During exercise, liquid acid produced at the bottom of the stomach is squeezed upwards onto the vulnerable squamous lining. It makes sense then that the medications used to treat squamous ulcers are aimed at blocking acid production.

Lesions in the glandular portion of the stomach are less common than squamous ulcers. The acid-producing glandular portion has natural defences against acid damage including a layer of mucus and local production of buffering compounds. At this point, we actually know relatively little about the causes of glandular disease, but it is becoming increasingly obvious that disease in the glandular portion is very different from squamous disease.

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Fig

Fig

3

Fig

5

Often, it is more difficult to treat.

Stomach ulcers can cause a wide range of clinical signs.

Some horses seem relatively unaffected by fairly severe ulcers, but other horses will often been off their feed, lose weight, and have poor coat quality. Some will show signs of abdominal discomfort, particularly shortly after eating.

Other horses may be irritable—they can grind their teeth or they may resent being girthed. Additional signs of pain include an anxious facial expression, with ears back and clenching of the jaw and facial muscles and a tendency to stand with their head carried a little low.

Assessing ulcers

Ulcers can only be diagnosed with endoscopy. A grading system has been established for squamous ulcers, which is useful in making an initial assessment and in documenting response to treatment.

Grade 0 = normal intact squamous lining Grade 1 = mild patches of reddening Grade 2 = small single or multiple ulcers Grade 3 = large single or multiple ulcers Grade 4 = extensive, often merging with areas of deep ulceration

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4

Fig

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Fig 3 Grade 1 squamous ulcers which are mild patches of reddening Fig 4 Grade 2 squamous ulcers—there are several of these, but they are all small Fig 5 Grade 3 squamous ulcers—these are larger, and there are several Fig 6 Grade 4 squamous ulcers—there are extensive deep ulcers with active haemorrhage

Although it is used for research purposes, this grading system does not translate very well to glandular ulcers where typically, lesions are described in terms of their severity (mild, moderate or severe), distribution (focal, multifocal or diffuse), thickness (flat, depressed, raised or nodular) and appearance (reddening, haemorrhagic or fibrinosuppurative).

Fibrinosuppurative suggests that inflammatory cells or pus has formed in the area. Focal reddening can be quite common in the absence of any clinical signs. Nodular and fibrinosuppurative lesions may be more difficult to treat than flat or reddened lesions. Where the significance of lesions is questionable, it can be helpful to treat the ulcers and repeat the endoscopic examination to determine whether the clinical signs resolve along with the ulcers.

Medications for squamous ulcers

Because of the prevalence and importance of gastric ulcers, Equine Veterinary Journal publishes numerous

Used by Winners, Trusted by Champions

• Contains omeprazole for the treatment of gastric ulcers and the prevention of recurrence of gastric ulcers in horses • Proven bioequivalence to the reference product • Single tube doses up to 700kg bodyweight • Easy to use dial-a a-d dose syringe for accurate administration

Manufactured and distributed in NI by: Norbrook Laboratories Ltd, Station Works, Newry, Co. Down, BT35 6JP. Distributed in GB by: Norbrook Laboratories (G.B.) Limited, 1 Saxon Way East, Corby, Northamptonshire, England, NN18 9EY. Legal Category: UK: Peptizole contains 370mg/g oral paste omeprazole licensed for the treatment of gastric ulcers and the prevention of recurrence of gastric ulcers in horses.

Use Medicines Responsibly. For further details on these products including the dosage regimens, side effects, precautions, warnings and contraindications please see the summary of product characteristics (SPC) available at www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/ProductInformationDatabase/Search.aspx | Advice on the use of this product should be sought from the medicine prescriber. | 4177-EQ-v2a-GB-13/12/18

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Fig

7

Fig

9

Fig 7 The glandular tissue around the pylorus (or exit point) has reddened patches. This is of questionable clinical relevance, and many horses will show no signs associated with these lesions.

Fig 8 There are dark red patches of haemorrhage in the glandular tissue of the antrumâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the region adjacent to the pylorus â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which is the dark hole toward the bottom of this image.

Fig 9 This horse has moderate to severe glandular disease. There are depressed suppurative (yellow) areas several of which also have haemorrhage. Nearer to the pylorus there is reddening and raised, swollen areas (arrow).

Fig 10 This horse has moderate to severe glandular disease. The majority of lesions are depressed and haemorrhagic.

research articles seeking to optimise treatment. The most commonly used drug for treatment of squamous ulcers is omeprazole. A key feature of products for horses is that the drug must be buffered in order to reach the small intestine, from where it is absorbed into the bloodstream in order to be effective. Until recently only one brand was available, but there are now several preparations on the market and researchers have been seeking to show whether new medicines are as effective as the original brand. There is limited information comparing the new products, and this information is essential to determine whether the new, and often cheaper, products should be used. A team

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Fig

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Fig

10 of researchers formed from Charles Sturt University in Australia and Louisiana State University in the US has compared two omeprazole products given orally. A study reported by Dr Raidal and her colleagues, showed that not only were plasma concentrations of omeprazole similar with both products, but importantly, the research also showed that gastric pH was similar with both products and both products reduced summed squamous ulcer scores. Both the products tested in this trial are available in Australia and, although products on the market in UK have been shown to achieve similar plasma concentrations and it is therefore reasonable to assume that they will be beneficial, as yet, not all of them have been tested to show whether products are equally effective in reducing ulcer scores in large-scale clinical trials. Trainers should discuss this issue with their vets when deciding which specific ulcer product they plan to use in their horses.

Avoiding drugs altogether and replacing this with a natural remedy is appealing. There is a plethora of nutraceuticals around and anecdotally, horse owners believe they may be effective. One such option is aloe vera that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and mucus stimulatory effects which might be beneficial in a horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stomach. Another research group from Australia, this

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time based in Adelaide, has looked at the effectiveness of aloe vera in treating squamous ulcers and found that, although 56% of horses treated with aloe vera improved and 17% resolved after 28 days, this compared to 85% improvement and 75% resolution in horses given omeprazole. Therefore, Dr Bush and her colleagues from Adelaide concluded treatment with aloe vera was inferior to treatment with omeprazole.

An alternative solution to this problem might be to give omeprazole by another route. Dr Sykesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; team has been working on an intramuscular omeprazole preparation. In a recent Equine Veterinary Journal article, it was shown that after a single dose of intramuscular omeprazole, the stomach pH was above the target of 4 for 66% of the day for 4 days in all horses studied, and this target was achieved in 4 of 6 horses for 7 days. Two doses of intramuscular omeprazole, given at 7-day intervals was used as a treatment in 22 horses with gastric disease; complete squamous ulcer healing was seen in all 22 when they were re-examined at 14-16 days. Only 12 of these horses had glandular disease, and 9 of these healed completely while improvement by at least one grade was found in 12, suggesting that intramuscular omeprazole is an effective alternative option for treatment of equine gastric disease, although again, these results are somewhat preliminary and larger studies looking at different clinical populations are warranted.

Medications for glandular ulcers

It has been known for some time that glandular ulcers do not respond as well to omeprazole treatment as squamous ulcers. Researchers from Nottingham University have looked at some alternative approaches to this problem.

In a study reported by Dr Varley and colleagues, 18 horses were treated with omeprazole combined with sucralfate, a drug with local anti-inflammatory effects, which improved glandular ulcers in 89% but complete healing was only achieved in 22%. The researchers also treated 22 horses with misoprostol, a drug that has a range of effects including improving the blood supply to the intestinal tissue; similar rates of improvement were noted, and 90% of horses improved. However, 73% of horses given misoprostol healed completely at the end of the trial. Therefore, Dr Varley concluded that misoprostol was superior to omeprazole with sucralfate for treatment of glandular ulcers.

Does medication prevent ulcers?

IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF DIET ON DRUG ABSORPTION. Maximising the benefit of medication

The time above the target pH of 4 is an important factor influencing how effective omeprazole is in treating ulcers. Drug absorption can be influenced by whether or not it is given to the horse when its stomach is full.

Research published by Dr Sykes has shown that diet has a massive impact on the absorption of omeprazole. Dr Sykes and his team used an experimental set up in which they implanted pH probes into two locations within the stomach. They showed that horses fed a high-grain and low-fibre diet had higher pH (i.e., less acid); and when a high (4mg/kg) dose of omeprazole was given, this achieved the target pH for healing within one day. When a lower (1mg/kg) dose was used, it took longer for the pH to reach target, and this was only achieved in one of the two pH measurement locations. Omeprazole at both doses was less effective in horses fed hay only. The high-grain, low-fibre diet used in this study was similar to diets typically used in racehorses. To get the best out of omeprazole, it should be given on an empty stomach with feed withheld for at least 30 mins after administration.

Because the drugâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effects are greatest shortly after it is administered, ideally oral omeprazole should be given 1 to 4 hours before vigorous exercise.

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When considering the prevention of gastric ulcers, there are various management changes which can be considered, but radical alteration of the management of individual horses on a training yard can be difficult to achieve.

Trials, which have looked at how effective omeprazole is in preventing ulcers, have varied in their design and quality, particularly in the doses used and in whether or not the trial included a placebo group. To try to get over these problems, Dr Mason, a researcher based at the San Francisco State University, evaluated the published literature and found seven high-quality trials, including 566 horses in race training. Four of these studies focused on horses which had been diagnosed and treated for ulcers previously, while the other three involved horses had not previously been diagnosed with ulcers. Dr Mason looked at how many cases of squamous gastric ulceration were prevented by using oral omeprazole in 1,000 horses. With any dose, there were between 440 to 633 fewer cases; and if a dose of 2mg/kg was used, omeprazole given to 1,000 horses produced between 5,410 and 767 fewer cases of ulceration. The ulcer severity score was around 1 point lower with any dose and between 1.3 and 1.9 points lower with the 2mg/kg dose.

SUMMARY

Omeprazole has been used for treatment of gastric ulcers for well over a decade. Omeprazole is generally effective against squamous ulcers, but ulcers in the glandular region are more difficult to treat. Misoprostol and to a lesser extent, sucralfate combined with omeprazole, can be helpful against lesions in the glandular region. There are now several different omeprazole-containing products on the market, and trainers should discuss with their vets how much research has been published to support the use of the particular product they would like to use. It is important to consider the impact of diet on drug absorption, and giving omeprazole on an empty stomach is advisable. Intramuscular products may get around some of the variability in absorption of omeprazole when it is given orally. Omeprazole is effective in preventing ulcers, but trainers should consider whether they can alter the horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s management to achieve the same goal.

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Advertisement feature

GASTRIC ULCERS: HOW CAN WE PREVENT IMPACT ON PERFORMANCE? Whilst it’s widely known that racehorses are at high risk of developing gastric ulcers, in order to mitigate occurrence and manage risk it is important to understand why thoroughbred racehorses in training are so vulnerable and why ulcers develop.

Veterinary Surgeon Dr Victoria Warnock of Boehringer Ingelheim explains why the percentage of thoroughbred racehorses affected by ulceration increases from an average of 37% to 80-100% within 2-3 months of starting training.¹

Experts have spent a lot of time and effort exploring the reasons why the majority of thoroughbred racehorses in training suffer from gastric ulceration. Looking at the evidence, it is easy to see how the perfect storm is created to make this condition very high risk on any racing yard.

What can this mean to a horse’s performance?

Breed: Thoroughbred racehorses are predisposed to the risk of developing gastric ulcers compared to other breeds.¹

One of the interesting points about gastric ulcers is the range of both symptoms and their severity from one animal to another.

However given the likely discomfort of ulceration, it’s unsurprising that performance can be impacted. Gastric ulcers can lead to horses; • Being quicker to fatigue5 • Having lower oxygen uptake5 • Having shorter stride length5 • Showing generalised poor performance

In training

So what can be done to minimise risk and impact?

Travel: Horses that travel and compete away from home are more at risk.² Stabling: Long hours of being stabled supresses natural behaviours and herd dynamics as well as limiting social interaction with other horses.³ Diet: High concentrate and restricted diets – horses are designed to forage continuously for a high fibre diet; restricted intake allows the continuously produced stomach acid to build in the stomach.

Intense or prolonged exercise: Increased abdominal pressure during fast exercise can lead to acid splashing up into the vulnerable, top half of the stomach where the lining is made of ‘normal’ tissue that is sensitive to acid.¹

Managing for prevention is essential to limit the impact of poor performance resulting from gastric ulceration. Given the range of risk factors, it is no surprise that there are a number of management changes that can be made to help prevent gastric ulceration. However, the practicalities of racehorse training can mean that the implementation of these changes is not always possible.

Feed before Exercise With limited forage and little or no access to pasture during training, providing a small chaff meal 30 minutes prior to exercise will create a physical barrier to help prevent acid splash into the vulnerable top part of the stomach.7 Horses are not like us – they are designed to take flight with a full stomach!

Companion Mirrors The financial value and training management of racehorses often dictates a lack of social contact in a turnout or stabling situation.

Studies have shown that providing horses with a mirror when they are separated from companions may reduce the risk of gastric ulceration.8 This technique can be applied in stables (home and away), trailers and horseboxes.

Water at all times!

Horses that do not have consistent access to clean, fresh water are at an increased risk of developing gastric ulcers.9 Ensure access to water wherever possible.

Tune in Surprisingly, there is some evidence to suggest that horses on yards that play ‘talk’ radio may be at an increased risk of gastric ulceration when compared to those exposed to music radio.10 This may dictate the radio station you choose on the yard!

In or out of training

Handlers Many of the risk factors in racehorses are associated with stress and social dynamics. Unsurprisingly, it has been noted that as the number of people handling a horse increases, so does the incidence of gastric ulcers7. So aim to minimise the number of people handling each horse on a day to day basis and ideally have one primary carer.

Treatment Management changes should always be implemented where ever possible; however preventative medications can also be important.

GastroGard® (omeprazole) is licensed for both treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers in horses under prescription from veterinary surgeons.

Studies have shown that administering GastroGard at a prevention dose of 1mg/kg/day can inhibit the occurrence or recurrence of gastric ulcers in horses exposed to ulcerogenic conditions.7

I S YYO OUR CURRENT ANTI-ULCER T R E AT AT M E N T P E R F O R M I N G ?

EQUINE GASTRIC ULCER SYNDROME (EGUS) AFFECTS UP TO 100% OF RACEHORSES IN TRAINING1

With nearly 20 years of robust studies, you can trust GastroGard® to help keep racehorses at the top of their game

NOT A LL TR E ATM E NT S A RE

E QUA L

GastroGard® contains omeprazole. UK: POM-V IE: POM. Further information available in the SPC or from Merial Animal Health Ltd, RG12 8YS, UK. UK Tel: 01344 746960 (sales) or 01344 746957 (technical), IE Tel: 01 291 3985 (all queries). GastroGard® is a registered trademark of Merial. ©2018 Merial Animal Health Ltd. All rights reserved. Merial is now part of the Boehringer Ingelheim Group of Companies. Date of preparation: Sept 2018. AHD11160. Use Medicines Responsibly.

References: 1. Sykes BW, et al. ECEIM Consensus Statement – EGUS in Adult Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2015; 29: 1288-1299.

Administering GastroGard directly into the horse’s mouth provides accurate dosage, which is critical when deciding on appropriate withdrawal periods prior to racing.

Evidence Launched in the UK in 2003, GastroGard was the first licenced treatment for equine gastric ulcers. Subsequent studies and monitoring have provided a wealth of highly robust information to support its success in treating equine ulceration.

It is important to appreciate the differences between the different formulations of omeprazole as not all of them have information available about detection times and some formulations may be unlicensed. It is a common misconception that all the omeprazole oral formulations are identical.

Omeprazole pastes contain more than just the active ingredient omeprazole, for example GastroGard contains the excipients potassium sorbate, monoethanolamine and sodium stearate among others in combination with omeprazole.11 Detection times are of utmost importance in racing and in urine GastroGard is detectable as hydroxyomeprazole and O-desmethylomeprazole at 24 hours but is not detectable at 48 hours.11 GastroGard is the only oral omeprazole with a published European Horseracing Scientific Liaison Committee (EHLSC) urine detection time.12 Speak to your vet for specific withdrawal times as individual factors will affect the recommended withdrawal time for each horse.

When designing and implementing your horses’ management plans to reduce the risk of gastric ulcers it is important to look for well researched and trusted information sources. The information contained in this article has been gathered from numerous scientific studies to provide you with the most relevant and up-to-date information to help you keep your horses at the top of their game.

Speak to your vet for further information about equine gastric ulcers and the use of GastroGard.

References 1. Sykes BW, et al. ECEIM Consensus Statement – EGUS in Adult Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2015; 29: 1288-1299.Chameroy KA, Nadeau JA, Bushmich SL, et al. Prevalence of non-glandular gastric ulcers in horses involved in a university riding program. J Equine Vet Sci 2006;26:207–211. 2. Lester GD, Robinson I, Secombe C. Risk Factors for Gastric Ulceration in Thoroughbred Racehorses. Canberra: Australian Government: Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation; 2008. 1–42. 3. Vatistas NJ, Sifferman RL, Holste J. Induction and maintenance of gastric ulceration in horses in simulated race training. Equine Vet J 1999;29:40–44. 4. Nieto JE, Snyder JR, Vatistas NJ, Jones JH. Effect of gastric ulceration on physiologic responses to exercise in horses. Am J Vet Res 2009;70:787–795 5. Franklin, SH. Brazil, TJ. Allen, KJ Poor performance associated with equine gastric ulceration syndrome in four Thoroughbred racehorses. EVE 2008; 20 (3) 119 - 124. 6. Rendle D et al. EGGD consensus statement: Recommendations for the management of Equine Glandular Gastric Disease. UK Vet Equine. January/February 2018, Volume 2 No 1. 7. Hepburn R, Gastric ulceration in horses. In Practice 2011 33: 116-124 8. Luthersson N, Nielsen KH, Harris P, Parkin TDH. Risk factors associated with equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) in 201 horses in Denmark. Equine Vet J 2009;41:625–630. 9. Luthersson N, Nielsen KH, Harris P, Parkin TDH. Risk factors associated with equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) in 201 horses in Denmark. Equine Vet J 2009;41:625–630. 10. Lester GD, Robinson I, Secombe C. Risk Factors for Gastric Ulceration in Thoroughbred Racehorses. Canberra: Australian Government: Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation; 2008. 1–42. 11. VMD. Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC): GastroGard 370 mg/ml oral paste (omeprazole). Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Addlestone. 12. EHSLC Detection Times July 2015 available from https://www.ehslc.com/detectiontimes accessed Mar 2018.

GastroGard® contains omeprazole. UK: POM-V. Further information available in the SPC or from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd, RG12 8YS, UK. Tel: 01344 746957. Email:vetenquiries@boehringer-ingelheim.com.

GastroGard is a registered trademark of the the Boehringer Ingelheim Group. ©2018 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd. All rights reserved. Date of preparation: Dec 2018 AHD11773. Use Medicines Responsibly.

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B R E X IT FA L L O U T Lissa Oliver

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France Galop, Shutterstock, HRI, ITBA

TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM ISSUE 64

| BREXIT |

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t the time of going to press we do know with certainty that Britain has officially left the EU and the EU has agreed the Brexit deal put forward by Theresa May. That should by now be the end of the story, but of course it continues to be only the beginning.

As Tim Collins warned during his speech at the recent World Horse Welfare Conference, whatever the daily outcomes of post-Brexit, “You mustn’t take your eye off the ball and assume it will all be sorted in the next three or four months. Temporary measures last longer than you might think.” He cited Income Tax, an emergency short-term measure introduced in Britain to fund the Napoleonic Wars, and reminded us of two “temporary” structures – the Eiffel Tower and the London Eye! He pointed out the power we have in lobbying when it comes to animal welfare, one of the biggest issues young

A

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voters care about and therefore one of the biggest areas of concern to all political parties.

“The horse industry’s strongest argument is that the horse’s welfare will be badly affected by any delay at ports. Politicians will have to listen to this point. The EU know they are facing critical parliamentary elections and you have a very powerful issue,” Collins said of the movement of horses, pointing out we would be “pushing on an open door.”

His advice was clear. “Focus your campaign on the detail, not the general issues. Campaign on values, not economics.

The biggest issue is not being talked about – there is already an EU border between Bulgaria and Turkey and it can take up to six hours for animals to be moved from either side. This is an issue that needs to be at the front and centre of awareness in a way that it is not.”

He concluded, “If you campaign on those points I promise you, you will prevail.”

| BREXIT |

Already, the racing industry is familiar with some of the documentation needed at border checks, with horses travelling to race in Switzerland. White Turf Racing Association, St Moritz, reminds you of the customs requirements and advises, for a smooth procedure at customs, the following documents have to be provided to the customs clerk: • Passport of the horse • Health certificate TRACES or Annex II • ATA Carnet (international customs document that permits the tax-free and duty-free temporary export and import – to be asked at the International Chamber of Commerce)

Paul-Marie Gadot

The ATA Carnet must be stamped at both customs (abroad and Switzerland) for both the outward journey and the return journey.

Paul-Marie Gadot, Direction Opérationnelle des Courses and Chef du Département Livrets Contrôles, tells

WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK ON THE SUBJECT AND WE WILL DO IT UNTIL WE GET SATISFACTION. PAUL-MARIE GADOT

us that the High Health document, which it is hoped may replace the Tripartite Agreement, is still being negotiated and given Gadot’s determination and the positive view of Tim Collins, we should be optimistic about the outcome.

“We are continuing to work on the subject and we will do it until we get satisfaction,” Gadot tells us. “The HHHS dossier has been transmitted to the EU Commission. The Delegated Acts of the EU Animal Health Law regarding movements of horses aren’t yet finalised and if the horse movement in between the EU member countries seems to be correctly integrated, we need to obtain some progress on the horse movements between third countries and the EU. “Our Brexit team in the three countries (Ireland, UK and France) has prepared a complementary document explaining all our health procedures in breeding and racing, which fully demonstrates and guarantees the high health status of our horses. This complementary document will be presented to EU Commission representatives at the beginning of December.

“Because UK’s Brexit deal has been agreed by the EU Commission and the EU countries, we may hope that, if the UK Parliament votes the deal, we will maintain the Tripartite Agreement during the transition period.

If it isn’t validated by the UK Parliament, even if we are working on practical solutions on the field level, the situation will be very difficult.”

Ireland has already adopted a new measure to assist and support any HHHS agreement. Coming into effect from January 2019 is Ireland’s new 30-day foal notification, ISSUE 64 TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM

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which will be a mandatory obligation. Irish breeders are required to notify Weatherbys Ireland General Stud Book within 30 days of the birth of a thoroughbred or nonthoroughbred foal born in Ireland and bred for racing. The notification of birth will be automatically triggered by the submission of DNA (blood and markings).

HRI sees the mandatory 30-day foal notification as integral to the welfare and traceability mandate for the equine industry and believes it will assist in the proviso for life after Brexit, particularly with regards to the free movement of horses.

It will also enable HRI and the IHRB, on behalf of the industry, to trace the whereabouts of thoroughbreds and non-thoroughbreds in Ireland from the earliest stage.

This is important for the welfare, biosecurity and disease control measures which underpin horse movement and are the cornerstone of European legislation for equines.

Jason Morris, HRI Director of Racing, explains, “The move to a 30-day foal notification is an important step in ensuring that we have full lifetime traceability of all thoroughbreds for health and welfare reasons.

HRI warmly welcomes its introduction which has the widespread support of the industry.”

Shane O’Dwyer, CEO ITBA, is in full agreement. “The

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| BREXIT |

ITBA welcomes the 30-day foal notification as a positive move that will assist in our efforts for the Codes of Practice and the High Health Horse Concept to be used as the basis of continued, uninterrupted free movement of thoroughbred horses post-Brexit.”

Difficulties with Northern Ireland are unlikely to be resolved in the short-term, but the Irish thoroughbred industry does have the full support of its government. An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, stated on the EU-agreed Brexit deal on 18 November, “I am pleased an agreement has been reached between EU and UK negotiators on a draft Brexit Withdrawal Treaty. Our national priorities are: • protecting the Good Friday Agreement.

• maintaining the Common Travel Area and related benefits • reaffirming our place at the heart of the EU • protecting trade, jobs and the economy

BELOW LEFT: Jason Morris BELOW RIGHT: Shane O’Dwyer

“On each of these, we have reached a satisfactory outcome today. Avoiding a hard border has proven to be one of the most difficult challenges. What has become known as ‘the backstop’ is now fully spelt out in the Withdrawal Agreement. The backstop would apply “unless and until” a better solution is agreed.

“The legal text ensures that Ireland and the UK can continue to operate the Common Travel Area and the related benefits for our citizens. We are working closely with the UK Government to ensure that this happens smoothly.

“The text also underpins the fundamental rights enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement, and the birth right of citizens of Northern Ireland to identify as Irish, and therefore as European citizens, and so to enjoy the rights and freedoms that come with EU citizenship.”

Varadkar also acknowledged, “The text also allows for a possible extension of the transition period beyond the current end date of December 2020.” Once again, Collins’ forewarning of temporary measures keeps the uncertainty rolling over!

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! MODERN & TRADITIONAL STABLES ! THE MONARCH BARN ! HORSE EXERCISERS ! STOCKS ! SOLARIA ! STABLE ACCESSORIES ! PADDOCK & LUNGE PEN

Tel: 01902 605566 www.monarch-equestrian.co.uk Est. 1964

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MARKETING PRIORITIES ACROSS EUROPEAN RACING Paull Khan

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| EMHF |

T

hree issues that were commonly identifi fiied as challenges facing horseracing across Europe at the EMHF’s recent Seminar on “Marketing and Educational Initiatives”: • A worryi ying i shortage of jockeys and stable staff ff • The broad requirement to raise racing’s profi file i and appeal; to grow the fan-base and drive ownership • A growin ing need to win in over the hearts and minds of the wiider w i community Essentially, the marketing of our sport is handled often at a local racecourse or at a national level. Examples of international collaboration exist but are very much the exception. Thus, racing authorities, particularly in the “smaller” racing nations, are often working in isolation with limited opportunity to bounce ideas off wit wi ff each other or compare notes as to what has worked and what has not.

It was wi with this in mind that we invi wit vited EMHF members vit to gather together, to outline the current state of the racing industry in their respective countries and to present on one or tw two recent initiatives they had introduced. SOREC, the two racing authority of Morocco, had kindly offe fered to host. At their National Stud in Bouznika in November we received

presentations from countries as diverse, in racing terms, as Belgium, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Morocco, Sweden and Turkey. Delegates from Poland and Spain also att ttended. t The degree of commonality among the concerns of racing authorities big and small proved striking, and it made the various ideas and approaches being adopted to address them all the more fascinating and relevant.

The diff fffiiculty i in finding i jockeys was high hlighted in several presentations. We need not look far, of course, for one reason for th his:: we live in times when the average weight of our species is rising, yet the same is not the case for the thoroughbred—limiting scope simply to increase the weights allotted. But there are doubtless several other factors at play here: a growi wing dislocation of the populace win from the countryside and from animals, as well as a general decline in the profil ile and appeal of horseracing (among g so manyy otther trad ditionall pursu uits)), ettc.

Jockey shortage and development is one of the key issues facing the Belgian Galop Federation (BGF). Belgian racing is operating at a fraction of its scale a century ago: where there were a dozen racecourses then, there

BELOW: 22 delegates from 10 countries attend the EMHF’s Marketing Educattionall Initiatives Seminar

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IT IS EVIDENT FROM MANY SPORTS THAT FEW THINGS ENCOURAGE THE RECRUITMENT OF YOUNGSTERS MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN HAVING A HOME-GROWN STAR. are but three today; where racing took place on a daily basis, there is now a fixture per fortnight. There are just 320 thoroughbreds in training and only 24 jockeys, with two apprentices. The BGF has adopted a combination of targeting those with a proven interest in riding, but not necessarily race-riding, with an innovative approach to jockeys’ training. Pupils at Belgium’s Riding and Horse Care School receive lectures on aspects of the jockey’s life and exposure to the mechanical horse. It is evident from many sports that few things encourage the recruitment of youngsters more effectively than having a home-grown star, and the development of Belgium’s riders has been a central concern of the BGF, which does not have the luxury of a jockey school and has struggled with the expense of sending pupils to such a facility abroad. Their solution: to bring the mountain to Mohammed. Arc- and Derbywinning jockey John Reid has been engaged to provide coaching to jockeys of all levels of experience. Over three days, twice a year, these riders gain the benefit of Reid’s experience, with video material and time on the simulator.

The Czech Jockey Club (CJC)—which, by the way, will reach its centenary in March—is an organisation adept at making its money go a long way. Despite the absence of any statutory funding from betting—41% of prize money is self-funded by the owners and 56% provided by sponsors—Czech racing still boasts 11 racecourses and some high-quality horses. Indeed, in recent years, the 1,000 or so horses in training have collectively picked up more money from foreign raids than the total available to them at home. So, when the CJC received a grant from their Ministry of Agriculture for a project to recruit children into the sport and particularly into their jockeys’ ranks, a great deal was done, despite the grant only amounting to less than €5,500. They targeted 8th and 9th grade children, their parents and educational advisors, in a combination of outreach visits and receiving groups of students, either at their racing school or during race meetings. The initiative garnered television coverage, and extensive use was made of social media to publicise it.

How successful this project has been will become evident in March—the deadline for applications to the racing school for youngsters leaving school that summer.

Britain’s European Trainers’ Federation representative, Rupert Arnold, broadened the focus to the related issue of stable staff recruitment and retention. The difficulties being faced in Britain currently had been, he explained, a major driver in his introduction, as the chief executive

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of the National Trainers Federation, of a new Team Champion Award last year. With the aim of rewarding good management in a trainer’s yard—a standard dubbed “The Winning Approach” was devised, covering many aspects of the way a trainer runs their business.

To encourage adoption of the standard, an award, (or, more accurately, two awards—one for larger yards and one for those with up to 40 horses) was put up, with the assistance of sponsorship from insurers Lycetts.

Importantly, these awards were—as their name suggests— for the whole team rather than the trainer alone. The amount of £4,000 went to the winning stable, and the yards that entered were asked to say how they would spend their winnings, if successful. So that the benefits are spread wider than the two victorious stables, a star rating system has also been introduced, providing trainers with a promotional tool. It is hoped that these Team Awards will create a virtuous circle, with more yards adopting best practice, thereby creating a better working environment for staff, increasing staff satisfaction and, ultimately, retention.

It is a familiar observation that the pool of racing enthusiasts is gradually diminishing and that efforts must be made both to widen the fan-base and stimulate ownership.

One surprising aspect of the presentations, which fell into this area, was a common thread that racing might benefit from closer ties with our equestrian brethren.

It is surely undeniable that the horse world tends to dwell in silos. Distinctions, which to the outsider would be barely recognisable, are treated as divides rarely crossed. Even within racing this is apparent: witness the gap between trotting and galloping, between the flat and the jumps, between jumps racing under Rules and Pointto-Pointing, even between the turf and the all-weather/ dirt. And when one ventures into other equine pursuits, well, one might have reached another planet.

It is encouraging indeed, therefore, to hear that a number of countries are reaching out to the equestrian world to encourage greater cross-exposure and stimulate fresh interest in our sport. Take Greece, for example.

Greek racing, like that in Belgium, is a shadow of its heyday self. While staging something of a revival in recent years, the reality remains that there are but 350 horses in training, competing for the 330 races at the country’s sole racecourse, Marcopoulo, near Athens. The response from the Jockey Club of Greece (JCG)? To source and make available by lottery ten horses. Tellingly, the lottery took place at a joint ceremony between the JCG and the Greek Equestrian Federation and awards were presented for both racing and equestrian sports. The offer was targeted squarely at members of equestrian clubs. The equestrian theme was echoed in Belgium, where the Belgian racing authorities decided to mount a strong presence at the multi-disciplinary Flanders Horse Expo. And, across in Czech Republic, there are plans to build an equestrian centre within the bounds of Prague racecourse.

It will be interesting to see whether these examples of racing/equestrian synergy become part of a wider trend, and to what extent they bear fruit.

| EMHF |

When the Swedish racing authority, Svensk Galopp, identified targets of raising awareness of Swedish racing, established the country as part of the international racing community, and promoted it as an emerging market for racing industry investment, it looked not to advertising, but to the creation of high-profile new events in its racing calendar.

The Lady Jockeys’ Thoroughbred World Championship was held for the first time in 2017, bringing together 10 female riders from around the world for a five-race, pointbased competition. This simple and novel concept was attractive to the corporate world, which took up race and jockey sponsorship and became event partners.

Then, last year, came the Stockholm Cup: Sweden’s biggest race day with four black-type races, headed by the Gp3 Stockholm Cup International. An important message at the seminar was that the provision of travel incentives and a focus on hospitality proved critical in the attraction of overseas runners. The overseas contingent included the winner of the big race, British-trained Thundering Blue, for whom Bro Park proved the start-point of an intercontinental campaign. Thundering Blue followed up with a second in the Grade 1 Canadian International, doing the reputation of Swedish racing no harm at all.

By contrast with many countries, Moroccan racing continues to thrive and recently opened its seventh racecourse, in Marrakech. Next year, the second national training centre will open in Casablanca. Betting and ownership metrics continue an upward trajectory. So, what does a country in such a position consider its primary marketing challenges? The answer is familiar: the popularisation of racing as a sport, upgrading the betting

experience and increasing attendance, and improving the customer experience at its racecourses. Initiatives here include an interesting link with French specialist newspaper Paris Turf, of which there is now a Moroccan edition.

The Irish presentation, delivered by Horse Racing Ireland’s Commercial and Marketing Director, Paul Dermody, covered HRI’s overall marketing strategy for the sport. While Ireland has an enviable baseline level of public interest in racing (24%), HRI has set a target to grow this by a quarter in five years. Among a number of tactics, alongside the launching of a club for 18-25 year olds, is a partnership with Ireland’s biggest sports media brand, Off the Ball, which seems to harness well the modern media landscape. They offer a daily radio show, a daily morning Facebook Live studio show, podcasts and social content.

By putting forward its choice of interviewees and subject matter for social and digital channels, HRI is able to direct the coverage of racing towards its magic, personalities, achievements and horses, rather than a narrow focus on betting. Dermody has been delighted with results: “This content is recorded live on a Friday afternoon (Facebook Live), pushed out on radio that evening, turned into a podcast on Saturday, and split into snippets for social media for the rest of the week, thereby maximising the ROI of the content and using it to speak to different audiences across the week. One of the bonuses of the relationship is that the editorial team in OTB is much closer to our sport and much more likely to run with horse racing stories off their own bat than before.”

In Britain, it is generally accepted that the racecourses have “upped their game” in recent years with greater customer-focus. Healthy competition exists between the 59

ABOVE: Paul Dermody of Horse Racing Ireland presents at the Moroccan National Stud, Bouznika

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tracks, and a myriad of small initiatives have, in aggregate, ensured that the experience offered by British racetracks is sufficiently attractive, that the annual total of around 6 million has been maintained despite high admission charges (by international comparison) and a growing array of alternative options for the consumer. And an initiative of the Racecourse Association in Britain can take a sizeable slice of the credit. The Showcase and Awards was established to reward racecourse managements for innovation and excellence. Taking the form of an afternoon seminar, followed by a grand awards dinner, awards are given for a number of aspects of a racecourse’s service, including “Best Campaign,” “Digital & Social Media Excellence,” “Events,” “Food & Beverage,” “Owners’ Experience” and, importantly, “Community and Corporate Social Responsibility.” The degree of openness with which racecourses present their new ideas is striking. Initially, the commercial guardedness which one might expect was more in evidence, but that melted away after the findings of a study which concluded that the catchment area of each racecourse was essentially local—meaning that cannibalisation of the market was a negligible concern.

The balance of benefit lay with a free sharing of the best ideas, and an invitation to emulate them, in order that the racegoer’s experience could be optimised across the country.

This year’s event included an impactful presentation from Beverley (a small, flat racecourse), on social inclusion. It was explained how racecourse staff spent a raceday in a wheelchair, experiencing first-hand the challenges this presented. The takeaway message was that, for those with mobility issues, pre-planning is of the utmost importance, and much can be achieved through the racecourse’s website to prepare these customers for what is ahead, instilling greater confidence and a higher propensity to attend.

The presenters were joined on stage by a sign-language

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| EMHF |

interpreter, and a parallel Beverley initiative was to invite a group of deaf and hearing-impaired people to experience a day’s racing and give their feedback. While courses could probably not afford to provide sign-language translation for racegoers, the message was that the experience of this group could be significantly enhanced if the standard public address announcements were mirrored in writing on the closed-circuit television network.

In many countries, the “social licence” which horseracing holds—and must maintain—is under keen focus. In Britain, for example, the subject even received an airing in Parliament, when a public petition of over 100,000 signatures gave rise to a debate on whether an independent body should take over—from the British Horseracing Authority—responsibility for the protection of horses. Equine fatalities and use of the whip were widely discussed. It is, therefore, heartening to note the extensive work being done on a number of fronts in the area of the sport’s social responsibility.

Uttoxeter (a Midlands jump track) was the winner of the Corporate Responsibility category at Britain’s Showcase Awards. Racegoers were invited to an on-course clinic on prostate cancer awareness. Here was tremendous takeup—perhaps a combination of it being a decision shared by many others and the emboldening effect of alcohol—meant that many more people were checked than would have otherwise been the case, and 75 lives were potentially saved with early warnings given after attending.

Turkey’s racing industry may be in enviably rude health, but the Turkish Jockey Club (TJC) fully realises that approval for horseracing, with its betting connotations, is far from universal. “For this reason,” says Sadettin

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ABOVE: Paddock at Casa-Anfa racecourse, Casablanca

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Atig, secretary-general of the TJC’s Executive Board, “we plan our communication activities to break this negative approach and convert the challenge into an advantage by creating events and activities from which different segments of the public can benefit.”

This column has previously lauded the trail-blazing efforts of the TJC in the introduction of equine-assisted therapy to their racecourses, (Issue 63), so we will avoid repetition. However, as an exciting post-script, the TJC is now looking into the introduction of ex-racehorses into the mix. This aside, Turkey’s presentation told of how its Pony Club initiative was created to introduce horses to children and instil in them a love of the horse.

Four ponies, and accompanying grooms and organisers visit some 35 cities for two-day stints over the summer holidays. In each city a manege area is constructed, where the children ride ponies and enjoy different activities with the horse at their centre, such as painting, dancing and children’s games.

Recently, the Pony Club visited the refugee camp in Adana, where 20,000 refugees live. In a similar vein, races have recently been named after charitable causes such as Children with Leukaemia and Organ Donation, and after Ozgecan Aslan—a victim of violence against women. In such ways, raising awareness becomes a twoway street—the refugees encounter horses; the publicity generated throws a light on the social issue.

It is hoped that all the delegates will have taken away from this Marketing and Educational Initiatives Seminar at least one nugget which can profitably be applied to their own racing industry.

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| EMHF |

The seminar was held alongside Morocco’s International Meeting at Casablanca’s lovely Casa-Anfa racecourse, the first day of which is devoted to thoroughbreds and the second to Arab races. The four international thoroughbred races collectively offer impressive prize money of over €250,000—potentially very rewarding to trainers who make the journey. It is surprising that more have not, as yet, taken up the challenge.

TECHNOLOGY AND THE TRAINER’S LIFE

Inexorably, if gradually, automation is transforming the way in which racing authorities do business with their key stakeholders, the trainers. At different speeds, in countries across Europe, the yard’s administration is moving online. And this is not the only area of a trainer’s working life that is being touched by the march of technological progress. Accounting packages have long been in use, and now some trainers are taking up products that help ensure compliance with vaccinations and similar regulations, or monitor the health and welfare of their horses, etc.

This is a topic to which we will return in a future issue. In the meantime, how has technology affected YOUR working life? And what would be your prediction as to how it might impact YOU in the next three years? What developments would YOU like to see emerge? I would be interested to hear YOUR views – paullkhan@euromedracing.eu.

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Annie Lambert Annie Lambert

RIDE & GUIDE FIRST PUBLISHED IN NORTH AMERICAN TRAINER MAGAZINE

It is a daily challenge for horsemen to put together bit and equipment combinations that draw out the maximum prowess of their trainees.

B

its and related training accessories are not all they depend on, however. The talented exercise riders they hire represent the hands using those bits, an important factor in the process.

Whatever bits and riggings a trainer prefers, they have a logical reason as to why their choices work within their programme. A lot of that reasoning is chalked up to trial and error experiences.

Bit Bias

Some bits are legal for training and racing while others are not allowed in the afternoons. The most recognisable of the morning-only headgear would be the

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hackamore. Using a hackamore requires approval from officials.

California trainer Danny Hendricks’ father and uncle, Lee and Byron Hendricks respectfully, toured the rodeo circuit with speciality acts, trick riding and Roman jumping over automobiles. They were superior horsemen that began retraining incorrigible racehorses. The brothers introduced many bits that race trackers had not yet explored. Danny was too young to remember those bits, but did inherit the Hendricks’ talent.

“I had a filly for Dick [Richard Mandella] way back that wouldn’t take a bit; she’d just over flex,” he explained.

“If you just touched her she’d put her nose to her chest and go straight back. I put a halter on her with a chifney, so it just hung there, put reins on the halter

and started galloping her. It took months before she’d finally take that bit.”

The majority of trainers shrug off which bits are not allowed in the afternoons as they are not devices they’d think of using anyway. In fact, most trainers never ponder “illegal” bits.

Based in Southern California, Hall of Famer Richard Mandella personally feels it’s easy to make too much out of bits. He prefers to keep it simple where possible and to change bits occasionally, “so you put pressure on a different part of the mouth.”

“I don’t want to hear a horse has to have a D bit every day or a ring bit every day,” Mandella offered. Adding with a chuckle, “It’s good to change what you’re doing to their mouth, which usually isn’t good with race horses.”

| BITS |

Mandella learned a lot from a Vaquero horseman, Jimmy Flores, a successful stock horse trainer. His father was shoeing horses for Flores, who encouraged Mandella, then eight or nine years old, to hack his show horses around.

“Jimmy would put a hackamore on them, to get the bit out of their mouth,” Mandella recalled. “He said to me once, ‘You don’t keep your foot on the brake of your car, you’ll wear the brakes out.’ He was a great horseman.”

Trainer Michael Stidham introduced Mandella to the Houghton bit, which originally came from the harness horse industry.

“The Houghton has little extensions on the sides and it is like power steering,” Mandella said. “As severe as it looks, it’s not hard to ride. We’ve had a lot of luck with horses getting in or out, it corrects them.”

David Hofmans, a multiple graded stakes winning trainer, did not come g from a horse background.

He fell in love

Danny Hendricks inherited his father’s talent for handlin g horses. His father toured the rodeo circuit performing tricks.

with the business when introduced to the backside by Gary Jones and went to work for Jones’ father, Farrell, shortly after.

“We’re always trying something different if there is a problem,” Hofmans said of his tack options. “I use the same variety of ring bits and D bits with most of our horses. We use a martingale, noseband and sometimes a shadow roll. If you have a problem you try something different, but if everything is okay, you stick with what works.”

Michael McCarthy spent many years working for Todd Pletcher before moving his base to California. When it comes to bits, he hasn’t varied much from his former boss. McCarthy reminded, “When the horses are comfortable, the riders are more relaxed and everybody gets along better.”

“Most horses here just wear a plain old, thick D bit,” he said from his barn at California’s Del Mar meet. “Some of the horses get a little bit more aggressive in the morning, so they wear a rubber ring bit. In the afternoons, if we have one that h has a tendency to pull, we may put a ring b bit with no prongs.”

McCarthy discovered the Houghton bit iin Pletcher’s where they used it on Cowboy C Cal, winner of the 2009 Strub Stakes aat Santa Anita. He uses the Houghton ssparingly to help horses steer proficiently.

Louisiana horseman Eric Guillot said ffrom his Saratoga office that he uses whatever w bit a horse needs—a lot of different d equipment combinations.

“I use a D bit with a figure 8 and, when I need n to steer them, a ring bit with figure 8 or sometimes s I use a ring bit with no noseband

ABOVE: A solo bridle hangs patiently by a stall while hoards of different bits hang on tack hooks and in tack rooms—the equipment combinations are endless MIDDLE AND RIGHT: One of the most used snaffles is the D bit, while the Houghton (r) is reserved for horses difficult to keep straight

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ABOVE: Michael McCarthy watching for a set where “the turf meets the surf” during the Del Mar meeting in California LEFT: Multiple graded stakes winning trainer David Hofmans with recent winner Gypsy Blu

A shadow roll, used to lower horses’ heads, hangs over a rubber ring bit

at all,” he offered. “Sometimes I use a cage bit and I might use a brush [bit burr] when a horse gets in and out. Really, every situation requires a different kind of bit.”

Control central

An early background riding hunters and jumpers has influenced the racehorse tack choices of Carla Gaines.

“I like a snaffle, like an egg butt or D bit, or something that would be comfortable in their mouths,” she offered. “I use a rubber snaffle if the horse has a sensitive mouth. I don’t like the ring bit because it is extra [bulk] in their mouth.

“A lot of the jockeys like them because they think they have more control over them. I know from galloping that it doesn’t make them any easier; it probably makes them tougher.”

The beloved gelding John Henry will forever be linked with his Hall of Fame trainer, Ron McAnally. The octogenarian has stabled horses at the Del Mar meeting since 1948. From his perch on the balcony of Barn one he surveyed the track and pointed out

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IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM YOU TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT, BUT IF EVERYTHING IS OKAY, YOU STICK WITH WHAT WORKS. DAVID HOFMANS

changes he has seen made over his 70-year tenure there. During those years there have been fewer changes in the equipment he uses than those stable area enhancements.

“Basically a lot of the bits are still the same; they’ve been that way for I don’t know how many years,” he recalled.

“Occasionally you’ll find a horse that tries to run out or lugs in, and they’ll put in a different kind of bit.”

According to McAnally’s long-time assistant trainer, Danny Landers, things stay uncomplicated at the barn.

John Sadler’s training habits have also been influenced by his days showing hunters and jumpers. Although he uses the standard bits, decisions are often made by the way horses are framed and balanced.

“I want to see horses carry themselves correctly,” he said. “I’ve always had really good riders since I’ve been training. That is very important to me.”

Sadler likes one of the more recent bits, the Australian ring snaffle, which helps with steering. The bit has larger cheek rings, which helps prevent pinching. He also employs a sliding leather prong.

British-born Neil Drysdale, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000, has been in the states his entire training career. His tack room is one of those treasure troves of equipment, much of which he has only used a time or two. He keeps choices simple and prefers to match each horse to the best bit for the individual.

“I’m not actually keen on the D bit,” he acknowledged. “I think it is quite strong.

Every now and again you have to use something stronger, and we’ll use a ring bit or an Australian ring bit, which is quite different and I think it works very well.

We have a Houghton which I use rarely; you hope you don’t get those problems and need it.”

No one will ever accuse Louisiana-bred trainer Keith Desormeaux of being anything less than frank when asked his opinion.

“I’m not a big believer in bits,” he said.

The Australian ring bit, with larger cheek rings, has growing popularity because it is less apt to pinch the horse and is an aid to steering problems

| BITS |

“Being a former exercise rider, I have my own strong opinions about bits. My strong opinion is that they are useless. My personal preference is a ring bit, because they play with it, not because of its severity. People use it to help with control; you pull on the bit and the ring pushes on the palate.

“When horses play with the ring bit it diverts their attention from all that’s going on around the track. I don’t take a good hold; it just diverts them from distractions going on around them.”

Desormeaux’s horses go out with just a bridle—no rings, no noseband, nothing.

“It is not about the equipment,” he said, “it’s about the rider’s hands.”

European semblance

According to trainers who began careers in Europe before relocating to the United States, the biggest difference is not in the bits they use here, but the bits you need for the much different training style on this side of the pond. Sharp turns in America sometimes require cautionary bits, while European horses train and often run on wide, straightaway gallops and courses.

Graham Motion keeps his bitting options uncomplicated. Horses train in a snaffle with a noseband or figure 8, and those hard to steer or that pull are fitted with the ring bit and figure 8.

“We tend to use more equipment [in the US] as the turns are sharper. We also use tongue ties a lot more,” he confirmed.

“If you look at pictures of European horses going into the first turn in the Breeders’ Cup, they often have their mouths wide open and are struggling to make the turn.”

Leonard Powell heralds from a

ABOVE: The fat, egg butt snaffle is popular with many trainers as is the standard ring bit

bloodstock family in Normandy, France.

He rode flat and jump races in France before moving to the states to work for Richard Mandella. Powell starts with an egg butt or D bit snaffle and moves horses into a ring bit if they are tougher. Most horses run in a ring bit, not necessarily because they are tough, but because it gives the jockeys more control.

“Every horse has its own bridle,” Powell pointed out. “That way there is less chance of skin disease spreading from the reins, less chance of getting the wrong bit on them, and the grooms don’t have to mess with the bridle adjustments. That makes it easier on everybody.”

Powell opined that the Europeans use equipment much the same as the United BELOW: Carla Gaines adjusts her favourite type of draw reins, which work with the regular reins to avoid too much draw

States, lots of snaffles and ring bits.

“They don’t use any of the bits for horses that lug in very bad, like the leather prong,” he pointed out. “They do use what they call the Australian noseband, the WinALot—that rubber thing. I love the idea of it, but every time I’ve used it I’m like, ‘Ah, it doesn’t make any difference.’”

Changing up bits for every horse as an individual is high on Simon Callaghan’s list.

The British-born horseman trained his first two years in the UK before moving to the states roughly nine years ago.

“I think here and in Europe it’s the same, they use the same basic bits,” he said.

“Sometimes we use different equipment like draw reins and figure 8s here. The D and ring bits fit most individuals.

“You don’t see horses getting in or getting out in Europe; the gallops are generally all straight, and a lot of the racing is on straightaways as well.”

Callaghan looks for a physical reason a horse may be getting tougher to work— dental or soundness issues—before exploring more severe bit options.

“I think horses are telling you that something is bugging them,” he said.

THE HOUGHTON HAS LITTLE EXTENSIONS ON THE SIDES AND IT IS LIKE POWER STEERING. RICHARD MANDELLA

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| BITS |

ABOVE: Frenchman Leonard Powell with his 10-year-old gelding Soi Phet.

The $16,000 claimer has since become a stakes-winning millionaire RIGHT: One of many well-used tack combinations is a figure 8 over the rubber mouthed ring bit

BASICALLY A LOT OF THE BITS ARE STILL THE SAME; THEY’VE BEEN THAT WAY FOR I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY YEARS. RON MCANALLY

Jonathan Sheppard’s reputation in steeplechase and flat racing is impeccable.

The English born, 78-year-old conditioner went into the Hall of Fame in 1990.

A little fatter jointed snaffle, something softer on a horse’s mouth, is Sheppard’s first choice in bits, usually a D bit. When a horse needs something different the trainer is more apt to add a noseband prior to moving into a stronger type bit.

“We do use ring bits when a horse is a little bit heavy-headed or a bit tough to steer or handle,” he said. “Not so much for the jumpers, I wouldn’t think, more with the colts on the flat.

“We’ve actually recently been using a

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Houghton bit for some. I think it is very nice, soft on a horse’s mouth and gives you more control for steering.”

Sheppard uses a Myler bit that he called “a nice forgiving type.” The mouthpiece is similar to that of a Dr Bristol, which has a double joint instead of the single-jointed snaffle that performs like “a nutcracker on a horse’s jaw.”

“The Kineton noseband is very good on a horse that pulls,” he added. “It takes the pressure off the mouth and applies it to the nose.”

Americans are into a bit more of the bizarre type of equipment than the Europeans, according to Sheppard. When he trained overseas everything was run in a big ring snaffle and not much else.

He figures Europe has become more like North America recently.

Cool hands

All trainers agree that a rider with good hands outweighs the importance of all the bits in their arsenal. As Hendricks put it, “A lot of times people are using horse bits to correct something that isn’t the bit’s problem at all.”

It has always amazed Mandella how some exercise riders can get along with tough, pulling horses and make it look effortless. He cited David Nuesch with helping Beholder in her early years.

“David had a style—a way of sitting and getting a horse not to pull,” Mandella explained. Louis Cenicola was a perfect example of that on John Henry. He had a way of just sitting up there and somehow talking him out of pulling. It is an art; riders either have it or they don’t.”

As an excellent show horse rider, John Sadler has made sure his exercise riders are also special on a horse. Matching his horses with riders that fit their style has lessened The D bit is not a favourite of Hall of Famer Neil Drysdale, who prefers a ring bit over the single joint snaffle

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the need for exotic bits and equipment.

“We have really great riders with great hands,” Sadler confirmed. “We don’t use a lot of different bits and extra tack because I have such good riders that they can ride the horses with anything. I give them a wide swath with their equipment because they are so good. A lot of these guys have been with me 20 years.”

Sheppard likes a German martingale because it is similar to straight draw reins, but he prefers to give the horse “more freedom rather than cranking his head down between his knees.”

“Sometimes you need to have a rider that knows what he’s doing to use draw reins,” Sheppard cited with a chuckle. “A friend of mine once came up with a pretty good expression. He said, ‘Putting draw reins in the hands of the average exercise boy is like putting a chainsaw in the hands of a monkey.’”

“I don’t think the bits are as important as the riders handling them—that’s the

TONGUE TIED The tongue tie has been used by horsemen for many decades. The practice retains popularity by helping to keep a horse’s tongue from getting over the bit, causing control issues, as well as preventing the tongue from obstructing the upper airway.

Sceptics who feel tying the tongue does not do much for a horse’s breathing issues may want to make a fresh assessment. Horses with intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (iDDSP) can benefit from a tongue tie, according to the research.

The tongue is tied near its base with a strip of material that is doubled around the muscular organ and secured by tying under the jaw. By pulling the tongue forward, the upper respiratory structures’ positions are more compatible with upper airway stability. The changes in structural positions allow the horse to breathe more proficiently.

Dr Michael Manno is an equine practitioner and surgeon at Southern California racetracks. He explained how the tongue tie works “in theory” and described a newer surgery that attempts to reduce (iDDSP) in much the same way.

“If you fix the tongue in a forward position, to where it can’t move back as far, then the larynx should also stay in a

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| BITS |

Simon Callaghan started his career in England and said most trainers use different bit options in North America because of racing conditions

bottom line,” Mandella concluded. A really good rider can ride them with anything.

They do it with finesse and tact rather than muscle.”

more forward position and theoretically make it a little more difficult for the soft palate to displace over the top [of the epiglottis],” Dr Manno opined. “Are we certain that horses with tongue ties don’t displace? No, we know they do. It helps some; it doesn’t help them all.

“I think that is also the theory behind this newer surgical technique called a ‘tie forward.’ A surgery that tries to do the same thing by actually moving the larynx a bit more forward in its position so that it would cause the same effect, where you have a little bit more difficulty of the soft palate flipping up over the top.”

Trainers have varying opinions on the use of tongue ties. As with most things equine, it depends on the individual animals.

From his Ashwell Stables in West Grove, Pennsylvania, Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard acknowledged that he did not use tongue ties when he first started training. He later began using them occasionally on horses that he felt really need the accessory.

“Then I went through a stage of saying, ‘Well, I don’t see how it could hurt them and it might help,’” he recalled.

“You never quite know what a horse’s breathing apparatus is doing when they get to the eighth pole in a long race and they are getting tired.”

Sheppard has since returned to his previous practice, using the tongue tie

YOU DON’T SEE HORSES GETTING IN OR GETTING OUT IN EUROPE; THE GALLOPS ARE GENERALLY ALL STRAIGHT AND A LOT OF THE RACING IS ON STRAIGHTAWAYS AS WELL. SIMON CALLAGHAN

less often, but always on horses he predicts could be helped.

“It kind of tends to make horses fuss a little bit,” he said of tying the tongue.

“Sometimes the grooms put them on a little bit too tight and you see the tongue turn purple before you even put the rider up in the paddock. They are helpful, certainly, with horses that displace and whatnot. The tongue tie and a figure 8 is the remedy we use for horses that are displacing.”

Tongue ties get mixed reviews from trainers, but veterinary research has shown they may help more than previously thought.

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FOREWORD

When the European Breeders’ Fund was launched as a not for profit organisation in 1983 by Britain, Ireland and France, the aim was simple – to boost the value of two-year-old maidens.

Since that beginning, the EBF has expanded to include Germany, Italy and Switzerland, and now supports a strong programme of racing at all levels throughout Europe. Over the last 35 years, the EBF has contributed over €130,000,000 to the European racing industry, and is now one of the largest sponsors in racing and a major source of industry support.

Stallion income and nomination fees for horses sired by stallions not EBF registered mean that the EBF can continue to support a broad programme of races open only to EBF eligible horses, providing valuable stepping stones in a horse’s career.

The EBF’s Co-Ordinating Committee remains grateful for the on-going support from the industry, and we look forward to working together to keep the EBF at the forefront as a leading supporter of the European racing and breeding industry.

PHILIP FREEDMAN EBF CHAIRMAN •

The EBF has paid out over €130 million into prizemoney throughout Europe.

•

EBF is the largest sponsor of races in France, Ireland, GB and Germany.

•

In France, 85% of 2yo maiden races at the Metropolitan tracks are confined to EBF eligibles. In Ireland 90% of 2yo maiden races are confined and in GB over 75% of maiden/novice races are confined.

•

Over €5 million per year is paid out in added prizemoney including valuable fillies races, 2yo colts conditions races and a strong programme of Stakes and handicap support in addition to the maiden and novice races.

•

Funded entirely by Stallion owners and nominators.

•

EBF eligible horses are qualified to run in EBF races for the entirety of their career.

KEY DATES AND PAYMENTS DEADLINE

15 FEB

FEBRUARY 15TH

Deadline for nominating two-year-olds for $3,000

• €5 million added prizemoney in GB, Ireland, France, Germany

MAY 31ST

• In Britain the most valuable 2yo maiden, the British Stallion Studs Convivial at York worth £60,000

DEADLINE

31 MAY

Deadline for nominating yearlings for $600

• The valuable sire/dam restricted 2yo maidens, supporting the staying initiatives

DEADLINE

30 JUN

JUNE 30TH

Deadline for nominating two-year-olds for $6,000

DEADLINE

30 JUN

JUNE 30TH

• The Fillies Series of handicaps with finals at Newmarket in October worth £50,000 each

Deadline for provisionally registering stallions to the EBF for the year

• In Ireland, a 2yo auction series with a final worth €120,000

DECEMBER 15TH

• In Ireland the Irish EBF auction hurdle series; 14 races worth a minimum of €20,000 and a final worth €75,000

DEADLINE

15 DEC

EBF Contributions to racing & bloodstock in 2018

Deadline for payments to fully qualify stallions to the EBF for the year

DEADLINES TO NOMINATE

• Irish Champions Day sponsorship • Support for the Route des Etalons, Irish Stallion Trail and TBA Foal show • FEE sponsorship of the 2yo Criterium du Fonds in Deauville worth €122,000

DEADLINE

15 FEB DEADLINE FOR NOMINATING TWO-YEAR-OLDS FOR $3,000

DEADLINE

DEADLINE

31 30 MAY JUN DEADLINE FOR NOMINATING YEARLINGS FOR $600

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATING TWO-YEAR-OLDS FOR $6,000

F OR F U RTH E R D E TA I LS , CO NTAC T:

Lushington House, 119 High Street, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 9AE T: +44 1638 667960 E: info@ebfhorseracing.co.uk www.ebfstallions.com

• An increase in the support for NH races in France • Supporting races for EBF eligible winners in Italy, Spain and Czech Republic • Vital veterinary research • Partners in the Destination Europe initiative

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Additionally, feeding a proven nutritional supplement will be beneficial to the individual that needs internal support and will aid natural drainage. Between careful management and feeding a reputable supplement you can help to maintain the respiratory system and help ensure healthy maximum lung capacity is achieved daily.

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Established research shows that over 80% of horses referred for clinical examination due to poor performance had sub-clinical respiratory disease. Research in healthy riding horses shows lung

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issues in over half, but current research shows that figure increases dramatically in racehorses. The resting breathing rate of a healthy racehorse is around 12–14 breaths/minute, and that can increase to 150 breaths per minute when galloping. If the respiratory system is put under stress this can impede performance potential which is where NAF recommend the

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| PRODUCT FOCUS |

NEW FROM ROYA AL KERCKHAERT – DIAMOND HOOF & HORSE FORMULA A The Royal Kerckhaert horseshoe e factory is launching a number of innova ative new products in the Diamond range this year.

Recently added was Diamond d Hoof & Horse Formula, which stimulates health and hoof quality. A complementary feed for domestic horses of all ages, it contains the primary nutrients s that domestic horses are usually mis ssing, if fed on a standard diet of grass ses, hay and grains and is made with h a rich combination of meadow plants, herbs, seeds and sea algae, so every measuring cup is packed with essential nuttrients such as amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and trace ele ements.

Diamond Hoof & Horse Formu ula is produced in a sustainable way y, according to the latest insights in horse nutrition, and amongst its key benefits,

NEW EPSOM RACE RANGE AND SADDLE FROM ZILCO Zilco has taken a problem and found a solution. Within the extremely busy environment of the racing yard and with all good intentions there is very little or no time to dedicate to the important but perhaps overlooked task of tack cleaning.

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it helps to build strong hooves and promotes a healthy immune system, while the horse can effectively use all nutrients. Also, there is no heating of ingredients and 50% less sugar than other leading brands. It can also be used

with a restricted diet and meets FEI and racing regulations and just needs to be mixed in with the main feed.

tack, but recognising and embracing the traditions within racing, have recently introduced the Training range. Ideal for training to track, the matt brown range is comprehensive and includes an exercise bridle, choice of nosebands, reins with terracotta grip, martingales and a Market Harborough. With a leather look and feel, practicality and tradition are at the forefront of this range.

Zilco’s unique strapping comprises a core of woven webbing and a comfort outer coating for superior strength and wear resiisttance. Testted d over a range off temperatures, the material offers greater

flexibility and will stand up to the toughest of conditions, but unlike leather requires no more than a wipe over with a damp cloth to clean it. It has the added benefit of use on different horses with far less risk of the spread of disease. To complement the range, Zilco also manufactures synthetic full and half-tree exercise saddles with a two-year guarantee.

Due to the early success of the Training range with Zilco stockists and racing yards, the confidence in the product has also led to the introduction of the Epsom race range. Slightly wider in design, bridles and reins are available in five colours with loop and buckle rein options.

Complementing the range is the new racetested lightweight 185g Cordura black fabric saddle with coloured patent trim and contrast stitching. The tree is formed plastic with a steel-reinforced gullet.

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LEATHER LOOK AND FEEL, PRACTICALITY AND TRADITION ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THIS RANGE ISSUE 64 TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM

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| FEATURE NAME | LEFT: Frankel meets the ETF delegates at Juddmonte Farm’s Banstead Manor Stud BELOW: Breeders’ Cup Mile winner, Expert Eye

2018 EUROPEAN TRAINERS’ FEDERATION AGM

Frankel

Bated Breath

Rob Bowley

LEFT: Agostino and Concy Affi (Italy) admire the paintings hanging in the Jockey Club Rooms; RIGHT: Are Hyldmo and Heidi Tandberg (Norway) BELOW FROM LEFT: (L-R) Jim Chiapetta (Flair), Ilka Gansera-Leveque (UK), Louise Johnston (Flair) and Liz Bulbrook (Baileys); Giles Anderson (Trainer Magazine) with Erika Mader and Christian von de Recke and Claudia Lüddecke (Germany); Jane and Mark Buchan (Baileys) with Guy and Nadine Heymans (Belgium)

T

he 2018 European Trainers’ Federation Annual General Meeting took place in Newmarket over the weekend of December 14th to 16th.

Delegates from thirteen countries were not only treated to the extremes of East Anglian weather, but also to stud visits at both Banstead Manor and Dalham Hall, a tour of both the Newmarket gallops and of the Darley Pretraining centre on the Hamilton Road. The Jockey Club rooms was the perfect venue for the ETF drinks party, sponsored by Baileys Horse Feeds, on the Friday evening and the ETF dinner, sponsored by Flair Nasal Strips, on the Saturday evening.

The AGM itself was held at the Bedford Lodge on the Saturday, with delegates discussing a range of topics, including; racing rule harmonisation across Europe, Brexit implications, medication threshold changes, prize money takeout levels in different member countries and how VAT rates differ so widely across member countries.

Dr. Paull Khan from the EHMF presented a list of proposed racing rule changes that will affect European trainers. Jim Chiappetta from Flair Nasal Strips put forward a very insightful presentation as to why nasal strips should be permitted for use on all racecourses across Europe and Mark Buchan from Baileys Horse Feed shared the history and philosophy of the iconic horse feed manufacturer.

ABOVE LEFT: Criquette Head-Maarek in conversation with Jane Buchan (Baileys) and Borut Bernik Bogataj (Austria) ABOVE RIGHT: Jessica and Padraig Long (Sweden) with Amanda Prior (GBRI) BELOW L–R: Marco Botti’s yearlings return from exercise; Nick Patton

SCAN ME

to view more content from the ETF AGM Or READ MORE ONLINE and visit trainermagazine.com/storyboards

ABOVE LEFT: Nick Patton explains how Newmarket’s gallops are managed LEFT: Golden Horn (far left) and Cracksman (middle) at Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud. Barney Roy preparing for a return to training BELOW: Les Dalkin, Darley Pre-training (left); AGM discussions (right) BOTTOM: ETF dinner is served

| TRAINING |

STA RTI N G OU T the latest update from new trainer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gavin Hernon Gavin Hernon Laura Gomez Miguel

I THINK IF ANY OF MY PAST EMPLOYERS WERE TO SPEND A MORNING WITH US, THEY WOULD ALL SEE THAT PARTS OF THEIR TRAINING METHODS HAVE LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION

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| GAVIN HERNON |

I

t takes six hours door to door from my yard in Chantilly to Park Paddocks in Newmarket.

I go there in the hope of coming away with a nice race filly for 2019.

Despite the friendly company of one of my mentors, Nicolas Clément, I can’t help but feel that this is six hours of time that could be spent working through the huge workload that comes with running a racing yard.

It’s been an eventful first four months in the training ranks, and I’m hugely indebted to my team to be able to say we’ve had four winners from just eight runners.

I appreciate this is a strike rate that no trainer can maintain in the long term, but it’s compensation for hard work from the team and for now it’s a powerful marketing tool. When recently seeking advice from André Fabre regarding the start up plans I had in place, he advised me that the only marketing any trainer needs is winners.

I’m very much a goal-oriented person. For nearly five years, Nicolas Clément has been telling me that if I’m to meet my own high expectations I need to have at least 10 winners in my first 12 months. Just four months later, I feel we are on track but I’m tinkering with the idea of moving the goalposts.

December is set to be our busiest month to date on the track. With an intended runner in a couple of the remaining Listed races in the French racing calendar, I know what I want for Christmas.

Black type is on my mind already. It’s the holy grail of this industry. It’s what we all dream of. It is so difficult to achieve but I know I have horses capable of it. As I stand on the side of the gallop waiting to see my string, there is no doubt in my mind that I will be disappointed if we fail to win a black type race by this time next year.

Now that the stable has grown, getting systems and organisational structures in place has become more important.

I think if any of my past employers were to spend a morning with us, they would all see that parts of their training methods have left a lasting impression. Jim Bolger and Graham Motion in particular would both have cause to call it copyright.

Of course there have been setbacks and disappointments, but I’ve learned that you can’t dwell on them. Repercussion missed his end of year target of the Prix Luthier (LR). The news wasn’t overly surprising given he had been running since the Lincoln in March. The horse that took me to Arc day in my first year and gave me two wins at Chantilly will have a well deserved break on grass and will be back to 100% again for the 2019 season.

Nevertheless, making that type of phonecall to an owner is a gut-wrenching feeling that I don’t think I will ever get used to. Before now, I have only ever had to worry about the horse in this situation.

You have to move on, find the next opportunity; prevent the next setback from happening. Dwelling on these matters breeds negativity, inefficiency and serves no purpose to man or horse.

We took a huge risk setting up with just three horses in the middle of the season. I knew a good start leading into the European sales season was my best shot of gaining traction. Similarly, I was acutely aware that if I had nothing

NICOLAS CLÉMENT HAS BEEN TELLING ME THAT IF I’M TO MEET MY OWN HIGH EXPECTATIONS I NEED TO HAVE AT LEAST 10 WINNERS IN MY FIRST 12 MONTHS. to show for it, I would struggle to attract investment. With current forecasts looking to be at 20 horses for the 2019 season, I feel the risk taken is starting to reap its rewards.

Rather surprisingly, I have close to 50 CVs sitting in a drawer in my office from people looking for work. No signs of the staff crisis in Chantilly it would seem. This has allowed me to be selective and form a hard working team of excellent riders who bond well.

We have signed Flavien Masse, who has ridden 55 winners, as our apprentice. Flavien served as an apprentice to Criquette Head for a number of years.

The sales season has been hectic. Despite knowing my yard is in the excellent hands of my assistant John Donguy in my absence, I’m anxious to get back the moment I leave. It is at home where things need to go right first and foremost.

I have tried to get on sales grounds to assist current owners with their purchases as well as trying to meet as many potential owners as I can. I found this to be quite an alien concept at the start. Of course I had been used to trying to sell myself as an aspiring trainer, but the entire dynamic has changed. I don’t have anybody paying me a wage anymore. Get this wrong, and there are consequences.

It was satisfying to see recent purchase Mutarabby win so impressively on his first French start in a competitive conditions race at Deauville. He wasn’t at 100%, yet his performance showed that he is capable of at least Listed level and given his turn of foot, his stamina and his love of good ground, there is a race in Melbourne already on my mind should he progress in the manner I’m hoping.

2018 has been very good to me. We have a lot to look forward to next year and It is with great anticipation that my team and I batten down the hatches with plenty of dreams to keep us warm during the winter months.

ISSUE 64 TRAINERMAGAZINE.COM

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| HINDSIGHT |

UWE OSTMANN Peter Muhlfeit spoke to Uwe Ostmann, who for four decades was a driving force in German racing, winning more than 1,600 races and who at the tender age of 78 still loves outdoor swimming and has a close eye on German racing.

Peter Muhlfeit

Marc Rühl

You retired six years ago; how hard was it to give up racing?

It was tough for me as I was practically dealing my whole life wit ith horses. But I live only a fi five-minute walk away from fiv the racecourse and my former stable in Mulheim. I’m still in touch wi with the wit owners of Gestüt Auenquelle, for whom I had plenty of success. I’m feeling well, do a lot of sport—cycling and swi wimming wim outdoors in a lake—and I watch a lot of racing. I hardly miss a racing day in Cologne.

How do you judge the current situation of German racing?

I’m actually quite optimistic that we wi will wil turn the tide, and better days are to come.

If there is good weather and good racing, there are plenty of young people coming to watch the horses. But the racing clubs have to work to attract a new crowd.

Cologne, Hannover and Hoppegarten are showin ing the way. But I realise that it is difffiic icult to fi find sponsors and create the fin betting revenue to fund top racing.

What got you involved in racing in the first place?

I grew up in Detmold in North RhineWestfalia, and there used to be a small racecourse in the Fifties. Bruno Schütz, one of our best trainers ever, did wi win a win pony race back then. I was fascinated by the horses and wanted to do work wit ith them. An uncle of mine helped me to get an apprenticeship wi with Sven von Mitzlaff wit ff when I was 15.

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You learned the trade at the yard who has trained Germany’s only Triple Crown winner Königsstuhl. What kind of man was Herr von Mitzlaff?

Herr von Mitzlaff ff was a really fi fine man— fin only on few occasions he raised his voice.

The whole situation at the stable—we were six apprentices at the time—was very homely. We were raised and educated in a very good way...something that helps and stays wi with you your whole life. wit Von Mitzlaff did win the German Derby seven times. You landed the Derby once—1988 with Luigi, ridden by Walter Swinburn. Was this the biggest moment of your training career?

Yes of course, despite the fact I trained plenty ty of other great horses. But a Derby wiin n really puts you on the map, in the late Eighties even more so as the media att ttention was much bigger than it is now. tte And it was particular sweet for us that Luigi And An beat Al Alte Zeit, who was in training wi Alt with me wit as a tw two-year-old and won the Preis der two Winterkonigin for me. At three she raced for Hein Bollow. So I was very happy that we beat her and it wasn’t the other way round.

Gonbarda, homebred by Auenquelle, probably was the best filly you ever trained. She won two Gp1 races. What was so special about her?

She had real stamina and a big fi fighting fig heart. And even though she was a Landooff ffspring, she did not need any particular ffs ground. She won the Gp1 Preis von Europa on soft ground. Gonbarda then was sold for big money to Darley Stud.

Unfortunately, she did not race again but produced some really good horses like the Champion Stakes and Lockinge Stakes winner, Farhh. win wi

You had a reputation of being particularly successful with two-year-olds. What was your secret?

I don’t have a secret, but I guess I trusted the good horses to go out early.

Mandelbaum, who was unbeaten at two and three years, or Turfk fkonig, win fko inner of eight Group races, were out three times at two, and it didn’t hurt their career. Today I feel that some trainers are a bit too timid in this respect.

How do you rate the current crop?

Noble Moon, win inner of the Preis des Winterfavoriten, is well bred. Sea The Moon has done very well wi with his fi wit first fir year, and I’m convin inced that there wil ill be some good stayers out there by him. I’m anyw yway amazed that German breeding ywa still manages to produce top horses on a regular basis despite its small base and the fact that we are selling plenty of our best horses abroad.

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