A case study of performance by Australian racehorses with predominantly North American pedigrees has revealed some insight into the use of race-day medication in America.

While the genetic integrity of North American-bred horses does not seem to have been adversely affected by race-day medication, the study also showed these horses apparently do not need medication to be successful.

The study’s results was presented at the North American Jockey Club’s Annual Round Table Conference at Saratoga on Sunday.

The study used data collected from Racing Services of Australia on all runners foaled since 1995.  Out of a database of nearly 147,500 runners, the study analysed the records of 14,502 horses that had been divided into three groups depending on where their ancestors raced looking back three generations.

1. Horses whose ancestors only raced in North America
2. Horses with at least half their ancestors having raced in North America
3. Horses that had no ancestors that raced in North America

Australia does not permit horses to have any medication in their systems on race day.

“The purpose of the study was to find out if there had been any discernible change in the gene pool due to an exposure to race-day medication,” Jockey Club committeeman Dr. Hiram Polk Jr said.

Preliminary results showed Australian racehorses with exclusively North American pedigrees made more starts, raced more frequently, and won at longer distances on average than the other two groups.

North American-bred horses also ran as fast and earned as much as horses with 50% North American pedigrees.

In general, North American-bred horses made about 17.4 starts per horse compared to about 16.8 starts for horses with 50% North American pedigrees and 15.8 starts for horses with no North American horses in their families.

On average, North American-bred horses were raced every 45 days compared with 50 days for 50% North American-bred horses and 55 days for foreign-bred horses.

“The data shows three generations of North American horses have not been affected by an exposure to race-day medication,” Polk said.  “It also shows that these horses are capable of racing successfully without race-day medication.”

The study is expected to be published by the end of the year.