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Yearling laryngeal function grades II .2 and below are not associated with reduced performance
Author(s) -
Hardwick Josephine L.,
Ahern Benjamin J.,
Crawford Kylie L.,
Allen Kate J.,
Anderson Brian H.,
Rose Kim J.,
Franklin Samantha H.
Publication year - 2025
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.1111/evj.14452
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , zoology , biology
Abstract Background The relationship between Thoroughbred yearling laryngeal function (YLF) grade and race performance is unclear. Objectives To determine the effect of YLF on future race performance. Study design Retrospective cohort study. Methods Post‐sale endoscopic recordings were reviewed from Australian yearling sales in 2018–2019. Race performance was evaluated for career and as 2‐, 3‐ and ≥4‐year‐olds. Multivariable generalised linear modelling examined the association between YLF and performance, with risk estimates presented as coefficients (95% CI). Results The YLF in 5175 examinations was graded I in 29.8% ( n = 1542); II.1 in 49.0% ( n = 2537), II.2 in 16.5% ( n = 855), III.1 in 3.9% ( n = 200), III.2 in 0.8% ( n = 39) and III.3 in <0.04% ( n = 2). Additional endoscopic abnormalities included ventroaxial luxation of the corniculate process (VLAC, n = 77, 1.5%); arytenoid mucosal lesions ( n = 392, 7.6%) and intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (iDDSP, n = 1264, 24.4%). Median (IQR) career earnings were: grade I $45 095 ($15 565, $113 220); grade II.1 $45 315 ($15 915, $107 490), grade II.2 $38 610 ($14 326, $95 218), grade III.1 $32 765 ($8565, $86 030) and grade III.2 $35 810 ($3700, $65 770). There was no difference in career earnings for YLF grades II.2 and III.1, compared with referent grade I/II.1, whereas grade III.2 earned less overall (−$46 015 (95% CI: −$89 994, −$2036), p = 0.04). Earnings in ≥4‐year‐olds were less for grades III.1 (−$35 076 (−$56 129, −$14 024), p = 0.001) and III.2 (−$53 219, (−$76 062, −$30 375) p < 0.001). Main limitations Lack of follow‐up data due to retrospective nature of study. Exclusion of unraced horses and those with no prize money from analysis. Conclusions Ninety‐five percent of the yearling population had grades I, II.1 or II.2 YLF and minimal difference in race performance was identified between them. Horses with grade III.1 YLF performed similarly to grades I/II.1 in their early careers but had reduced race performance at ≥4‐year‐old.