Outcomes and racing performance in thoroughbreds following a long-term injury sustained during a jump race in Great Britain.

Over 70% of jump-race thoroughbreds fail to return after long-term musculoskeletal injuries.

This cohort study followed 780 thoroughbred racehorses sustaining long-term musculoskeletal injuries (≥90 days off racing) in British jump races from May 2018 to April 2023 for a minimum 24-month period. Overall, only 28.4% of horses returned to racing, with returners starting a median of five races within 12 months. Horses that successfully returned to racing were significantly younger, had earned more pre-injury, had shorter prior careers, and achieved more wins. Injury type significantly influenced outcomes: tendon/ligament injuries had lower return rates (18.9%) and longer recovery times (median 496 days) compared to fractures (50.9% return rate, 275-day median recovery). The authors noted substantial reliance on presumptive diagnoses rather than confirmed imaging findings. The findings underscore the poor long-term prognosis following substantial musculoskeletal injury in jump racing thoroughbreds, with over 70% failing to return to competition.

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