Horse Racing Research Articles

Effect of Clenbuterol on Muscle Activity During Exercise in Standardbred Horses

Clenbuterol (β2 agonist) is a commonly administered bronchodilator in race and performance horses. While long-term administration can alter exercise performance and muscle properties, little is known about its effects on these parameters following short-term administration. A single dose of clenbuterol (0.80 µg/kg) was expected to alter muscle activity of the extensor carpi radialis, semitendinosus, and longissimus dorsi during submaximal exercise. Eight mature Standardbred horses exercised for 2 minutes at 5 m/s on a high-speed treadmill following clenbuterol dosing (clenbuterol) or no dosing (control) in a crossover experimental design. Surface electromyography (sEMG) data were collected continuously from the muscles of interest and processed to determine average rectified value (ARV) and median frequency (MF) of the signal during peak muscle activation (100 ms period) during 15 strides. ARV data were log transformed. Data were analyzed with a mixed model ANOVA with fixed effects of period and treatment and a random effect of horse. No differences (P > .05) in amplitude (ARV) or frequency (MF) of the EMG signal were detected following clenbuterol administration. Thus, a one-time dose of clenbuterol had no statistically detectable effect on muscle activity during submaximal exercise. Further studies should be undertaken to confirm these results and examine the effects of long-term administration on muscle activity during exercise.

Detection of Indiscriminate Genetic Manipulation in Thoroughbred Racehorses by Targeted Resequencing for Gene-Doping Control.

The creation of genetically modified horses is prohibited in horse racing as it falls under the banner of gene doping. In this study, we developed a test to detect gene editing based on amplicon sequencing using next-generation sequencing (NGS). We designed 1012 amplicons to target 52 genes (481 exons) and 147 single-nucleotide variants (SNVs). NGS analyses showed that 97.7% of the targeted exons were sequenced to sufficient coverage (depth > 50) for calling variants. The targets of artificial editing were defined as homozygous alternative (HomoALT) and compound heterozygous alternative (ALT1/ALT2) insertion/deletion (INDEL) mutations in this study. Four models of gene editing (three homoALT with 1-bp insertions, one REF/ALT with 77-bp deletion) were constructed by editing the myostatin gene in horse fibroblasts using CRISPR/Cas9. The edited cells and 101 samples from thoroughbred horses were screened using the developed test, which was capable of identifying the three homoALT cells containing 1-bp insertions. Furthermore, 147 SNVs were investigated for their utility in confirming biological parentage. Of these, 120 SNVs were amenable to consistent and accurate genotyping. Surrogate (nonbiological) dams were excluded by 9.8 SNVs on average, indicating that the 120 SNV could be used to detect foals that have been produced by somatic cloning or embryo transfer, two practices that are prohibited in thoroughbred racing and breeding. These results indicate that gene-editing tests that include variant calling and SNV genotyping are useful to identify genetically modified racehorses.

A West African Spider-Man and the Enduring Concept of “the Stranger”

A West African Spider-Man and the Enduring Concept of “the Stranger”

Modernizing Royals and Capitalists of Kumase

Abstract British imperialism bequeathed sports to former colonies. In the immediate postwar period, colonial bureaucrats intensified the modernization agenda in many of their colonial territories. The institution of horse racing was associated with the upper echelons of society in many colonies. In colonial Asante, the royals and capitalists of Kumase established the Ashanti Turf Club as the first public limited liability company in the history of horse racing in Ghana. Horse racing in Kumase started with the active encouragement and patronage of the king of Asante (Asantehene). The Kumase royals and capitalists embraced the middle-class culture and bought shares in the Turf Club. The practice of betting linked the working-class to racing. Horse racing played a significant social role in Asante society by keeping residents entertained at the weekends. This article examines the Ashanti Turf Club Limited within the context of the modernization of postwar Asante. It shows how the history of horse racing in Kumase provides a lens to understand how Africans embraced middle-class culture and colonial modernity.

Capital flow data—A guide for empirical analysis and real‐time tracking

AbstractThis paper provides an analytical overview of the most widely used capital flow datasets. The paper is written as a guide for academics who embark on empirical research projects and for policymakers who need timely information on capital flow developments to inform their decisions. We address common misconceptions about capital flow data and discuss differences between high‐frequency proxies for portfolio flows. In a nowcasting “horse race” we show that high‐frequency proxies have significant predictive content for portfolio flows from the balance of payments (BoP). We also construct a new dataset for academic use, consisting of monthly portfolio flows broadly consistent with BoP data.

Hoof Impact and Foot-Off Accelerations in Galloping Thoroughbred Racehorses Trialling Eight Shoe-Surface Combinations.

Simple SummaryTo achieve optimal performance and low injury occurrence in horse racing, it is important to understand hoof–surface interactions. This study measured hoof accelerations in retired Thoroughbred racehorses as they galloped over turf and artificial surfaces in four shoeing conditions (aluminium, barefoot, steel and GluShu), using hoof-mounted accelerometers. During hoof landing, accelerations were increased for hindlimbs and leading limbs and on turf compared to the artificial surface. Barefoot hooves experienced the lowest impact accelerations and contrasted most with steel. During the propulsive stage of the stride, accelerations at “foot-off” were increased for low stride times, particularly in the hindlimbs, and on the artificial track. Increased impact accelerations on turf and in shod conditions could be detrimental to health and have implications for musculoskeletal injuries, whereas increased foot-off accelerations on the artificial surface may reflect this surface returning energy to the hoof and aiding propulsion, which could confer a performance benefit. Further work is needed to relate these findings to injury risk and racing outcomes specifically, particularly in racehorses galloping at top speeds.The athletic performance and safety of racehorses is influenced by hoof–surface interactions. This intervention study assessed the effect of eight horseshoe–surface combinations on hoof acceleration patterns at impact and foot-off in 13 galloping Thoroughbred racehorses retired from racing. Aluminium, barefoot, GluShu (aluminium–rubber composite) and steel shoeing conditions were trialled on turf and artificial (Martin Collins Activ-Track) surfaces. Shod conditions were applied across all four hooves. Tri-axial accelerometers (SlamStickX, range ±500 g, sampling rate 5000 Hz) were attached to the dorsal hoof wall (x: medio-lateral, medial = positive; y: along dorsal hoof wall, proximal = positive; and z: perpendicular to hoof wall, dorsal = positive). Linear mixed models assessed whether surface, shoeing condition or stride time influenced maximum (most positive) or minimum (most negative) accelerations in x, y and z directions, using ≥40,691 strides (significance at p < 0.05). Day and horse–rider pair were included as random factors, and stride time was included as a covariate. Collective mean accelerations across x, y and z axes were 22–98 g at impact and 17–89 g at foot-off. The mean stride time was 0.48 ± 0.07 s (mean ±2 SD). Impact accelerations were larger on turf in all directions for forelimbs and hindlimbs (p ≤ 0.015), with the exception of the forelimb z-minimum, and in absolute terms, maximum values were typically double the minimum values. The surface type affected all foot-off accelerations (p ≤ 0.022), with the exception of the hindlimb x-maximum; for example, there was an average increase of 17% in z-maximum across limbs on the artificial track. The shoeing condition influenced all impact and foot-off accelerations in the forelimb and hindlimb datasets (p ≤ 0.024), with the exception of the hindlimb impact y-maximum. Barefoot hooves generally experienced the lowest accelerations. The stride time affected all impact and foot-off accelerations (p < 0.001). Identifying factors influencing hoof vibrations upon landing and hoof motion during propulsion bears implication for injury risk and racing outcomes.

Probabilities, odds, and vigorish

This paper uses actual data on horse racing to illustrate probabilities, odds, and expected values, and offers cautionary remarks about applying textbook formulas to gambling on real-world sporting events.

Implementasi Nilai-Nilai Pendidikan Pada Tradisi Perlombaan Main Jaran (Pacuan Kuda) Di Desa Penyaring Kabupaten Sumbawa

This study aims to describe how to implement educational values in the tradition of playing jaran (horse racing) in Penyaring Village, Sumbawadan Regency to describe the supporting and inhibiting factors of educational values in the tradition of playing jaran (horse racing) in Penyaring Village, Sumbawa Regency. This type of research uses a qualitative approach. The data collection techniques used are: observation, interviews and documentation. The data analysis technique in this study used descriptive analysis by analyzing all interview transcripts and matching them with observational notes. The purpose of this study is to describe how to implement educational values in the tradition of the main jaran (horse racing) race in Penyaring Village, Sumbawa Regency and to describe the supporting and inhibiting factors of educational values in the tradition of the main jaran race (horse racing) in Penyaring Village Kabupa... This research is also expected to be used as a reference. Meanwhile, the Urgency of this research is expected to provide general guidance on the implementation of educational values in the tradition of playing jaran (horse racing) in Penyaring Village, Sumbawa Regency.

A statistical focus on doping using a metabolomics approach

Identify potential biomarkers that are indicative of doping in equine plasma through statistical analysis of metabolomics data. The purpose of metabolomics is to detect endogenous changes in molecular entities, such as metabolites and adducts, that are indicative of challenges to the system (Fiehn et al., Metabolomics, 2015, 11, 1036–1040). These challenges to the system may include things such as doping, disease and environmental changes. Doping is an ever-growing field due to the changing nature of new and popular agents. For the racing industry, any performance altering agents are prohibited to maintain the welfare of athletes involved and the integrity of the sport and breeding industry (Cawley et al., Drug Testing and Analysis, 2017, 9, 1441–1447). Therefore, an alternative approach to conventional detection methods is essential for the decreasing the bottleneck that is the introduction of new compounds into routine screening efforts. Using only 100 μL of equine plasma, a rapid protein precipitation method was developed for the analysis of endogenous compounds. The IMTAKT Intrada Amino Acid column (100 mm × 2 mm, 3 μm) was able to separate dopamine-related compounds. The method used positive and negative ionisation mode with an 11-minute gradient method on the Agilent 1290 Infinity II LC system coupled to an Agilent 6545 QTOF mass spectrometer. A substantial reference population study was completed to assess basal concentrations of endogenous compounds of interest. A 12-horse administration study of Stalevo® (800 mg levodopa, 200 mg carbidopa, 1600 mg entacapone) was analysed. Agilent Technologies’ Profinder was used to complete a batch recursive feature extraction of the data. The statistical analysis included longitudinal profiling and identification of significant entities through volcano plot analysis, principal component analysis and heatmap visualisation. Biomarker quality was determined using a ‘best biomarker quality (BBQ)’ assessment. The LC-QTOF-MS method was successfully with respect to the quantification of 3-methoxytyrosine. The reference population study revealed variable levels of 3-methoxytyrosine in the population thus monitoring through individual reference limits was proposed. The longitudinal profiling approach, using 3-methoxytyrosine as an up-regulated biomarker, was proven to be more sensitive than a threshold proposed from a population. The untargeted approach using Profinder extracted a wealth of data across the administration study. The statistical analysis was able to determine significant biomarkers. The most significant biomarkers were investigated and attempted to be identified through database searching and confirmation with reference standards. An individualised reference limit approach using longitudinal profiling allowed for raceday control of levodopa misuse within the equine athlete. The untargeted metabolomics method provided an interesting alternative to conventional detection methods thus enabling the identification of biomarkers that are indicative of doping. Biomarker ratios were investigated to provide more statistical power than a single biomarker. Further work investigating an orthogonal approach using a reverse phase analytical method would allow for wider coverage of the metabolome. Doping continues to be a threat to the integrity of horse racing and thus new detection methods, such as metabolomics and statistical profiling, must be implemented to combat this challenge. 3-methoxytyrosine was identified to be a viable up-regulated biomarker for doping of levodopa. An untargeted metabolomics approach enabled the detection of further biomarkers thus allowing for a more statistically powerful biomarker ratio to be investigated.

Do credit market accessibility and legal protection shape corporate innovation?

AbstractWe examine the effects of credit market accessibility and legal protection on corporate innovation in a pseudo‐multinational setting at the firm level, emphasizing the channels through which corporate innovation is affected. A horse race suggests that credit market accessibility facilitates innovation more than legal protection does. Credit market accessibility promotes innovation by alleviating financial constraints through reduced bank loan costs, larger bank loans, and more long‐term loans. Consistent with our reasoning, the effects are greater for private enterprises than for state‐owned firms.

Intervention Algorithm of Horse Racing for Students’ Psychological Disorders Based on Big Data

Horse racing is a competitive activity in which humans control horses. It is a worldwide traditional sports activity. In the history of human-horse racing, horse racing activities in various eras have been followed but also constantly innovated. According to the K-means clustering algorithm, a cluster analysis model is constructed for the model, and the algorithm model is applied to the students’ mental health counseling work. After six iterations to get the classification and six iterations of the cluster center algorithm, it was found that the mixed psychological population accounted for 50%. Horse racing can not only effectively relieve students’ psychological problems and exercise students’ willpower and thinking ability, but also promote traditional sports. Through K-means clustering algorithm research, frame design, and program design, a complete psychological disorder intervention system is established, which provides scientific, objective, and reliable data guarantee for the correct implementation of decision-making strategies. Integrating cluster analysis into the process of students’ mental health analysis makes it easier for decision-makers to understand and master all aspects of students’ information, to analyze and customize solutions for different types of students. It provides a good foundation for providing different psychotherapeutic methods for different groups of students.

Betting against sentiment? Seemingly unrelated anomalies and the low‐risk effect

AbstractThe negative CAPM alphas of high‐beta and high‐variance stocks are attributable to an unaccounted factor in the CAPM. We use eight seemingly unrelated anomalies to construct a composite factor in the spirit of the optimal orthogonal portfolio (FOP). Accounting for FOP re‐establishes a positive relation between beta and average returns in time series regressions as well as cross‐sectional and explains the negative alphas of high‐beta and high‐variance stocks. To analyze economic drivers behind FOP, we perform a horse race between leverage constraints, investor sentiment, and disagreement. Our results highlight investor sentiment as the most promising explanation for the low‐risk effect.

Beyond the Finish Line: Images, Evidence, and the History of the Photo-Finish

Anyone engaged in competitive sports wants to win, but how are winners determined? With stick-and-ball sports, it is by scoring more points than the competition. For motorized sports, it is by finishing ahead of all others, sometimes, in the current era requiring electronic timing and video, by 1/1000 of a second. For track and field, swimming, and most winter sports, there are also occasions where timing must be consulted to determine placement. It is among this latter group of sports where Jonathan Finn brings the reader along for a unique analysis of how photo-finishes and timing evolved.In Beyond the Finish Line: Images, Evidence, and the History of the Photo-Finish, Finn “emphasizes the complexity of the photo-finish as a cultural artifact” (7). Structurally, there are six chapters, and across all of them are “three interrelated issues . . . : the problem of representation; objectivity and visual evidence; and the quest for records” (9). Further, the chapters are neither sequential nor chronological to each other, but within each chapter, there are timelines about specific matters.The opening chapter provides the overall framework whereby the book also “emphasizes the co-construction of technology and sport, broadly conceived, with specific attention given to issues of human and machine vision, photographic truth and objectivity, and decision-making in sport” (23). It is also here where he explains the crucial differences between photo-finishes and photos of finishes.The second chapter is centered on how reliance on human reaction in late-1800s photography affected the final image of a photo-finish. As an illustration, Finn offers two patented devices specifically for horse racing, with the first having twelve equidistant camera stations at the finish line and the second having a revolving disc with photo plates. The problem of that time with respect to photos was they were expected to be “technically proficient . . . but also artistic . . . to convey a sense of beauty or wonderment” (36), which the latter could attain. Adding to the complexity was the issue of trust; sport photos were seen as dubious since the contemporary thought was that human eyes were better than machine eyes.Chapter 3 covers the period 1900–1940 and the transition to “electric eyes” and “camera eyes,” which were considered more accurate than those of people. Here Finn elucidates several significant innovations that strengthened belief in a technological fix for sporting competition measurement, such as “eye in the sky” (mounted higher than the judge's stand) and improved video.The fourth section delves into top-level socioeconomic and financial aspects of the photo-finish, exploring the Olympics and tensions between the Olympic organizers and the Swiss watch company Omega. Finn outlines how that company navigated the landscape of Olympic Organizing Committees for each separate venue. As the chapter traverses the latter decades of the twentieth century into the twenty-first, an interesting paradox persisted around image credibility due to questions about the consistent adoption of “technoscientific artifacts” intertwined with the new reality that “racers were not racing just against each other but against national or other records set at other meets in other places and times” (117).In chapter 5, Finn explores the conundrum of accuracy versus precision. On a very relatable level for the reader, the author lays out his case that even with advancing technologies over the decades, human interpretation is still required, and judgments must be made regarding the exact location of a competitor's body. Furthermore, he shares with readers the notion of non-intervention, that is, not sanitizing images to look pretty in order to “guarantee the veracity of the object depicted” (146).The final chapter expands the analysis to the present, looking at the current relationship between technologies and sports. Goal-line technology in top tier global football, instant replay, Hawk-Eye in tennis and cricket, the new Video Assist Referee (VAR), which confirms or can overrule a decision on the field (along with the field referee's viewing of the video) have all brought up similar issues of acceptance. Among Finn's last comments here is the provocative claim: “But greater precision does not mean greater accuracy” (175). This last point is significant for the measure of athletic performance in the timing-oriented sports noted at the beginning of this review. The reason is that each sport incorporates the variation of “dimensional tolerances” such as clothing, minimal variations in lanes/routes, or even “thickness of paint on pool walls” (159). Which is more useful then, pure accuracy of time or athlete performance?This highly sourced book is a valuable and important contribution to not just sports history but also the history of technology and, to a degree, business history.

War against Prohibition: Italians and Booze in New York City, 1920–1933

War against Prohibition: Italians and Booze in New York City, 1920–1933

Seasonal Variations of Haematological and Biochemical Parameters Associated with Potential Laminitis in Apparently Healthy Horses

Early detection of laminitis in horses is valuable as it provides information that can be used as a basis for advice to trainers of race and performance horses. The study was aimed to determine the seasonal variations in haematological and biochemical parameters of horses developing laminitis at Polo Club Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria. A total of 18 horses were sampled during the dry season (February) and rainy season (July). The horses sampled were aged between 3 and 8 years. The hoof temperature, weight, packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, total and differential leucocyte counts, glucose level and fibrinogen concentration were determined using standard methods. The mean hoof temperature of the horses was 36.1± 0.11oC and 35.6 ± 0.2 oC during the dry and rainy season respectively. The mean body weight of the horses was 323 ± 8.90 kg in dry season while that of rainy season was 330 ± 11.0 kg. Glucose concentration during the dry season (71.6 ± 1.5 dl/mg) was significantly lower (P ˂ 0.05) than that obtained during the rainy season (91.7 ± 1.9 dl/mg). Furthermore, the PCV, RBC count and Hb concentration were significantly higher (P ˂ 0.05) in the rainy season than the corresponding parameters in the dry season. Similarly, the total leucocyte, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were significantly higher (P ˂ 0.05) during the rainy season than the dry season. It was concluded that variations on the parameters determined may aid to identify early warning signs of laminitis.

Oxidant and Antioxidant Parameters' Assessment Together with Homocysteine and Muscle Enzymes in Racehorses: Evaluation of Positive Effects of Exercise.

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in serum oxidant and antioxidant parameters together with the serum values of homocysteine (Hcy) and muscle enzymes including creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in regularly trained athletic horses during official races of 1200, 1600 and 2000 m. Thirty Thoroughbred horses were divided into three groups of 10 subjects each according to the race distance: Group 1, 1200 m race; Group 2, 1600 m race; Group 3, 2000 m race. Blood samples were collected from horses 1 week prior to the race (1WB), on the day of the race at rest (TREST), immediately after the race (TPOST), and after 30 (TPOST30) and 120 (TPOST120) minutes. Serum total proteins, reactive oxygen metabolites (dROMs), thiol antioxidant barrier (SHp), antioxidant barrier (Oxy-ads), Hcy, CK, AST and LDH values were assessed. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA did not show differences referable to the race distance (Group effect) on all investigated parameters (p > 0.05). An exercise effect on oxidative stress markers, Hcy and muscle enzymes herein investigated was found in all groups (p < 0.001). A Pearson’s test showed dROMs positively correlated with SHp, Oxy-ads and Hcy after exercise (p < 0.05). This study suggests that, though well-trained racing horses are subjected to oxidative stress during a race, a proper antioxidant capacity may improve their ability to cope with exercise-induced oxidative stress.

Organization for Breeding the Horse Lineage during the Second Constitutional Era: The Case of Islah-ı Nesl-i Feres Cemiyeti

Bu makale, II. Meşrutiyet sonrasında 11 Nisan 1912’de iyi cins at yetiştirmek, at yarışları düzenlemek, biniciliği geliştirmek amacıyla padişahın himayesinde kurulan Islah-ı Nesl-i Feres Cemiyeti’nin faaliyetlerine odaklanmıştır. Osmanlı Devleti’nde atın çekim gücü ve taşıma kapasitesi, tarımsal ekonomi ve savunma açısından hayati bir öneme sahipti. Ancak XIX. yüzyılın ilk yarısından itibaren ihtiyaçlara göre at neslinin ıslahı ve çoğaltılması hususunda bazı sıkıntılar mevcuttu. Zira tımar sisteminin bozulması ve Yeniçeri Ocağı’nın kaldırılması at yetiştiriciliğine zarar vermişti. Askeri ve tarımsal ihtiyaçları karşılamak için modern haralar kurulsa da bu çaba yeterli olmadı. Arz sıkıntısı ve satın alma düzenlemeleri, Osmanlı ordusunun lojistiğini tehdit eder boyuta ulaştı. Bu nedenle Osmanlı Hükümeti, Avrupalı devletlerde olduğu gibi nitelikli atlarda yerli bir pazarın yaratılmasına yönelik politikalar üretmeye başladı. Hükümet, at cinsinin ıslahını sağlayan vasıtalardan birisi olan at yarışlarını düzenlemek için 1912’de Islah-ı Nesl-i Feres Cemiyeti’ni kurdu.

Editor's Spotlight/Take 5: Discussing Two Systematic Reviews With Opposing Conclusions on Shoulder Pain After Vaccine Administration.

Editor's Spotlight/Take 5: Discussing Two Systematic Reviews With Opposing Conclusions on Shoulder Pain After Vaccine Administration.

Unruly female spectators at the Melbourne Cup in Australia: media discourses about women and alcohol consumption

ABSTRACT This paper critically examines competing media discourses about women’s alcohol consumption as spectators at the Melbourne Cup, a historically prestigious annual Australian horse race. Taking a feminist poststructural lens, this paper identifies how print media representations of the female drinking subject can provide a multitude of subject positions that can be contradictory and subversive, offering possibilities for resistance to idealised middle-class gendered norms about women and drinking. This paper provides new insights into print media portrayals of “unruly” female spectators and their alcohol consumption at public events such as the Melbourne Cup.

New York Redefines “GAMBLING” … and What Could this Mean for Poker?

New York Redefines “GAMBLING” … and What Could this Mean for Poker?