The State of the Thoroughbred Industry

Since 1999 Daniel Metzger has served as president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA). He spoke to Rotarians today about the state of the thoroughbred industry.

TOBA was established in 1961 as a result of a merger between owners and breeders associations. Their mission was to improve the integrity of the sport of horse racing. TOBA is the only national organization that represents the interests of owners and breeders on a national level.

This year's Kentucky Derby highlighted the highs and the lows of the sport in a single race. Fans saw a thrilling win by Big Brown - a thoroughbred described by Metzger as being "on the verge of immortality." Fans also suffered the emotional tragedy of Eight Bells, the filly that finished second with two broken ankles and subsequently had to be euthanized.

Since the tragedy of Eight Bells and the loss of 2006 Derby winner Barbaro, racing has been under a microscope amplified by the media coverage that both losses received. The lack of a single entity to oversee the sport and mandate change further fuels the controversy and lengthens the time it takes to address the challenges facing the sport. Currently there are thirty-eight separate jurisdictions managed at individual state levels who struggle to agree on a single set of rules.

There are five "hot buttons" currently under review within the industry. They include review of the condition of racing surfaces, medication practices, toe grabs used by horses, rules regarding the use of whips, and breeding practices.

Racing has seen a revolution in the use of synthetic racing surfaces. It is too early to say if new surfaces will significantly decrease the number of injuries that result during racing. Additional time and study is required. The use of medication in the sport is a subject that Metzger feels needs immediate attention. He cites the pressure on investments into racing as a reason that medication is often misused. This industry has $2 billion in annual expenses with only $1 billion in annual revenues. There is intense pressure to perform and succeed often through reliance on medication.

Toe grabs are used by horses in a manner similar to how a soccer player would use cleats. They help the horse gain better traction on the surface. It is thought that longer grabs have higher injury levels than shorter grabs. The use of toe grabs is being reviewed. Also under review are the rules associated to the use of whips. Rules are being considered for how a whip may be used, at what height, under what circumstances and where. Any rules developed, of course, would be subject to enforcement by officials.

Finally, the breeding practices within the industry are under review. For decades, horses have been bred for speed. The industry has been charged with producing fragile racehorses at the cost of the sport's need for speed. Research and genetic study is required to see how breeding practices should be regulated to ensure that the well being of the offspring is at the forefront of consideration during the breeding process.

Congress recently issued a letter to the state jurisdictions regarding their longstanding concern over the welfare of thoroughbreds. Metzger stated that over $25 million has been raised for research into the welfare of the equine horse. This has been over a long period of time and not just in response to the recent tragedies of the sport. He urges everyone to recognize that changing a generation of practices will take another generation to implement. The goal and outcome should always be the best output under the safest, most ethical conditions. There will always be challenges within the sport, but it should always be about the thoroughbred.